Got a great deal on a new BM Spectrum mogul from Star Hobby, $300. Only other one I saw was $700!
Speaking of moguls, I saw the painted & detailed ones on the Bachmann table, vaguely thinking they were older stock that was out of production, but made pretty by someone. OK, I wasn’t really paying attention to them. So I asked the gentleman there, “Do you think the moguls will go back into production?” He seemed almost offended, saying, “What do you think THESE are?? They’re being released this summer!”
And wow, what nice paint details, even new / unique trim elements. Their Glenbrook is awesome; dear to my heart, since it was owned by the V&T, and was recently restored to full operating condition at Carson City. Price is typically high, ~$1260 as I recall. But a gentleman at Star said that the rule of thumb is, for retail price: half list price; and they should be available in June/July.
Oh, I spoke with the LGB guy too. I sheepishly asked him, “So, you guys are, uh, fully back into production? Making US models?” He, a little put off, said (and I paraphrase of course): “Vee hat only been out of bisness one yahr, only one yahr!!” (Actually, I’m exaggerating the accent too). Followed by: “Vhat do you tink these models are, ya? Almost all American!!” And lo, almost all the locos on the table were of US locos (to the degree LGB makes US locos). VERY nice! I asked Franz, or maybe it was Bob, if they were going to produce new US stuff? And he said it was hard to produce anything new, because everything’s been done. I didn’t want to argue, so I left it there. Regardless, I was left with the impression that LGB is very much up and running, and regaining its strength.
BTW, their tooling is all back in their hands from China; and he pointed out to me the last loco made in China. Never seen an LGB Mikado, wow, that baby’s huge. Anyway, all is now being made in Hungary, under direct LGB supervision.
Speaking of new stock, it was neat to see all the Aristo turnouts. Like, everywhere, in brass and SS. Piko had tons of new track and trains.
Need to also mention my talk with Joane of Train Li, who is a huge vendor of LGB stock and parts. I buy all my track from them, BTW, so I know Joane and Axel. They were the first booth I visited, and I asked if they had any problems getting new LGB stock? That was a dumb question I guess, because she waved her arm around the booth, and said something like “I keep hearing about LGB not having new products, but look around, they’re pouring in!” Yes, lots of Euro; but also lots of US. And ALL fresh products, not just re-selling old stock from a warehouse somewhere in Guangzhou.
New LGB stock (Euro and US) was all over the place, with Train Li being the epicenter perhaps for trains and parts.
Lastly, I spoke with Phil Jensen of Hartland. What a guy, what a great story. Anyway, he assured me that, in spite of rumors I’d heard, the Big John and Paul Bunyan were going to remain in production. The only thing changing is that the solid brass (!) domes on the PB are going to be plastic. I asked him again if they were going to come out with the Duchess (the only 2-4-0 ever on the market, to my knowledge), and he said that since they were shutting down on the LaPorte for now, the Duchess was a candidate for next year. They were still deciding what to introduce, or re-introduce.
These are only my observations, and surely not the last word; but I found things to be unexpectedly encouraging. Beyond my mogul from Star, seeing manufacturers showing more strength was my best “deal” from York. Well, and seeing and making good friends again. Definitely looking forward to next year!
Cliff
