News of no LGB by Marklin going around hobby shops One hobby shop who was one of the bigeest distributors for LGB has made statements and thier own opinions about the no LGB news from Marklin. Here is what that shop had to say> Markkin has concluded acquisition of the rights to distribute LGB in North America. Marklin will determine who will be the distributor of the LGB products for the USA. It can't be LGB of America because they no longer exist. Word on the street has it that Marklin will make an offical announcement at the 2009 New York Toy Fair. Walthers has have been appointed to take over distribution of Marklin products excluding LGB. Apperently we are all going have to go thru one more last Christmas (Christmas 2009) before we see new LGB products returning to the shelves of dealers. Watts also had some unusual LGB news to report, here it is> There was discovery of pirated Chineese made LGB being sold on the internet by a American toy retailer in Utah. The fake European type LGB offerings were aprroximately 2 dozen different types. The locos were all battery powered with toy like RC controls running on plastic track packed in LGB wrapping. The 2080 type steam engine featured a toy like sound with the same features as what you would find in a greeting card. The tank cars were also found to say "Shall" instead of "Shell" oil to get awya from copyright infringements. Another strange LGB report shows a website in India offering to take orders to manufacture several LGB locomotives in mass quantities. There will likely be alot of this happening until Marklin gets control of the molds in China. All I can say about this whole deal is WOW, So this is a big warning, be careful what LGB products you buy on the internet and who from.
Pirate LGB Equipment. That makes me laugh so hard. I don't know why. I have some news I'd like to add. Thanks to Aristocraft's Insider Newletter, Aristocraft announces the Train Engineer Revolution. It's a 2.4 GHZ Unlimted RCC Onboard system. It utilizes a Zibbee computer style network through the airwaves without the worry about clean track as the signal will go directly to the onboard decoder as a radio wave. This can be run on battery power or track power, since the signal is coming through the airwaves and not through the track and thus offers the most choices possible of any similar system on the market. The 2.4 GHZ frequency is legal worldwide, so it can be used no matter where you are in the world. Most importantly, you will be able to operate sound, lighting functions and many more from the transmitter including all the same features that are now only available with track signal DCC. Not only that, you can control up to 999 trains and accessories from one handheld and you can identify every locomotive you have by both description and road number for easy visual identification. Twenty-four locomotives can be M.U.'d together in any one consist and you can have 999 consists, so for all practical needs this is an unlimted feature. The Graphic display walks you through all the functions and the manual is only backup for understanding the potential of this unlimited RCC system. The innovative throttle gives you finite control without having to turn a toy-like knob several turns to get the accuracy of control you expect. This taken from Aristocraft's new online flash catalouge. The rest of the information talks about them being the best and that is still a matter of opinion. This new system is Analoug and Digital locomotive compatable. For Analog it will take some time to install but for Digital it will plug right into the DCC port. E8's are coming in new Road names! Including painted versions of the ATSF & CBQ Units. PCC Trolley is on the drawing board. Sample products are out and the listed roadnames. Undecorated Brooklyn NJ Transit MBTA Boston Philly Traction Co. San Fransisco Los Angeles Toronto Septa Philly Baltimore Hamburg DE Sanfransisco Red Marseille France Melbourne Australlia CTA Field Museum & CTA Wrigley Field are St. Aubin Trains Exclusives. Steam Locomotives in development are a Live Steam 0-4-0 , Live Steam Rogers 2-4-2, and a Consolidation 2-8-0. Remember Hartland Locomotive Works barrel layouts? Aristocraft is working on their own. 20" Circle and a 31" Circle. Buildings in development: Tool House, Trail House, Engine Shed, and a Gloriette Gazebo. Aristocraft Club Cars will be 40' Steel Boxcars in Air Force, Army and Navy. And don't forget about the new dvd "How Model Trains Are Made." This is what Aristocraft has planned for 2009. I may save even further for the Revolution System myself.
G scale news in general for 2009 The new "Piko" brand name brought out by Marklin for the US market moves on and have come out with a new line of switches which are similiar to the LGB switches but with all new components. The switches are code 332 and made from brass with UV resistant plastic ties. The new "Piko" code 332 track and switches mates precisely with LGB code 332 track. There is also 3 new starter freight sets by Piko which are 2 USA style and 1 German style. Piko is also delivering a series of US style freight cars incuding a box car, steel reefer car, ore car and a way car which all Piko products are distributed in the US by Silvergate Distributors. Accucraft has come out with a awesome ALL metal 54ft Reefer car in 1:32 scale ratio weighing in at 5 lbs. Roadnames include Great Northern, REA and Atlantic Coast Line. The all metal four wheel trucks are srung with working knuckle couplers. Accucraft has also came out with a LIVE USRA 0-6-0 steam engine switcher in the new 1:29 scale ratio AML series in multiple road names Accucraft will also be delivering soon a Rio Grande K-36 live steam locomotive in the 1:20.3 scale ratio (Fn3 scale) along with a Forney 0-4-4 and a Forney 2-4-4 in 1:20.3 scale ratio made from brass and stainless steel which are also live steam. Speaking of Accucraft narrow gauge, Accucraft's AMS division is offering a wheel and tie car in the 1:20.3 scale ratio which features mainly a plastic construction with metal wheels and trucks. It's real nice to see that Accucraft is coming out with different divisions to fit everyones needs and budgets. The question of the day is, When will the new Aristocraft coal hopper hit the markets? Another custom manufacturer hits the 1:29 scale ratio market > Kern Valley Railway which makes alot of custom hand made products are now offering the same rail cars in both 1:32 and 1:29 scale ratios. They are now in production of Baggage, Postal and RPO cars in the Pennsylvania roadname in both scale ratios. Massouth Electronics is offering electrical replacement parts for LGB trains Aristocraft has some big news, they are coming out with a new version of train engineer called the "Revolution" which will feature wireless control for indoors and outdoors, a fast 2.4 Ghz transmission, Large LCD screen, input data will be handled like a cell phone texting using the hand helds key board, no codes to rmember, all functions available on screen, direct control of up to 50 locomotives or accessories. All programmng is done in the transmitter and then down linked to the reciever/decoder. Multiple group codes so your "All Stop" command will only affect locomotives in your group. Will operate on track or battery power. Has 300ft range indoors and 500ft outdoors. Speed settings are programable up to 1,024 steps, plug and play installation on Aristocraft locomotives and comes with a 5 year warranty.
DragonfyreGT, thank you for that nice Aristocraft update, I was making a similiar article at the same time with Aristocraft new when you were posting your thread, so I hope you didn't mind I still posted it. your Aristocraft article is more detailed than mine anyway. I've been waiting for those 2 bay coal hoppers, but think they are out now.
Not a problem. I was at *** Just before christmas and they had the Illinois Central and Milwaukee Road 2 bay hoppers in stock. I have a friend in canada who says the Canadian Pacific one's are in stock at his local hobby shop but not the Canadian National ones. Also Aristocraft has posted a new photo of the Kansas City Southern Dash-9 at their website. Nice paint production model.
Aristocraft 2 bay Rio Grande coal hopper last to arrive It looks like th 2 bay Aristocraft coal hoppr in the Rio Grande road name will be one of the last ones to arrive here. It is not due out until Febraury 2009, for those Rio grande fans just hold on. I think I might get all 4 road numbers, there goes the budget again.
Aristocraft still has the SD9 and Cylindrical hoppers along with modern Piggybacks in the works. But rumor has it they'll be a 2010 release. Modern Tank cars were also mentioned. They tend to announce Ideas, then sometimes if the designs don't meet the prototype plans they either shelf it or redesign it. I was excited for the new hoppers but we shall see if this rumor turns out true.
According to Garden Railways Current Issue (Went to the website as mine hasn't shown up yet, don't know why since it's all printed in MADISON and I live near CHICAGO), but ***** will not just be servicing and repairing and selling LGB Parts from marklin. Markling is going to release european stuff under the LGB Name through Walthers. This is good and bad at the same time. We might not see much American stuff, but it does mean that LGBoA isn't around and it's 1980 all over again when it was just LGB. The new products brochure is here: www.lgb-bahn.de Here's hoping Marklin doesn't screw it all up.
EMD Trainmans LGB rumors on the street I heard some rumors of the LGB subject also. Although Marklin seems to bringing LGB back most die hard LGB people will be upset when they see that most of the themed LGB trains will not be put back into production again. It is rumored after the Marlin take over of LGB trains, Marlin had a long list of themed LGB trains they will no longer continue with, such examples would include the Disney train, the Peanuts train, The Coca-cola trains, and ect. Plus I didn't see any Christmas trains listed in the 2008 catalog, but for those who like LGB club cars they are in there.
What the offical LGB site has to say The official LGB site which features a 2008 catalog and I can open that, on page 2 Marklin makes a statement about LGB there also, here it is > Dear LGB Fans, We are happy to be able to offer you a comprehensive brochure of new products for 2008. After the aquisition of LGB by Marklin, the signals are green. LGB will be managed as an independent brand at Marklin and will remain based in Nuremberg. Production of all LGB models that were already being manufactured in Nuremberg will remain in Europe. The Nurremberg LGB team is composed or experienced employees who have already worked for the LGB brand over many years. Out of the new LGB products announcement for 2007, it has been possible to deliver four in 2007. The production of outstanding new models is planned for 2008. However this brochure (LGB 2008 brocure) of new products is not just a re-issue of last years new product announcements. We have included additional new models in our planning for 2008. Production of LGB track is in full swing. So the range of track is available to you well ahead of the garden railroad season, enabling you to expand or build your LGB layout. Production of loco and car models has gotten under way. The first LGB models from the new production will be available in the spring. The new LGB catalog is then scheduled to appear in the fall of 2008. The article goes on about the new service location in Nurrenburg and new address oif the LGB club. There is also a listig of consumer trade shows LGB will be at which are all listed in the year 2008 Well, here is my perspective, why hasn't the offical LGB site been updated? They talk about all of these things that were planned for 2008 and nothing has been seen, at least not here in the US. If there has been production of LGB products in 2008 they stayed in Europe and never made it to the US since there was not a distributor until now. I'm sure Walthers who is now the "official" distributor for LGB will keep us up to date as the new Marklin LGB brand trains arrrive in the US.
Aristocraft 2 Bay Illinois Central Hopper Hi guys, I'm new to this web site, but I noticed something in a previous post about the IC 2 bay hoppers. My wife got me one for Christmas from ***** and I'm pretty happy with it. Operating doors, simulated coal load, good graphics. Interesting comparaisons on this site of USA and Aristocraft. I have a California Zephyr set composed of 7 USA 80 foot passesnger cars and the Aristocraft chrome Burlington E8s AA. Of course, I plan to get the USA Rio Grande F3's ABBA and WP F3 AB. I'm a transplanted east coaster living in Southern California so I also have lots of New Haven stuff in O gauge and O scale. Just starting to collect same in G gauge. Alec Tan
Those hoppers are awesome. My friend runs a hobby shop and has a set of 4 Great Northern Custom Run ones on layaway for me. Says I can cash in on all 4 or one at a time whenever. I've checked the hoppers out, they ran smooth on his outdoor layout. Oh I have some news to add. There will be, if you haven't already heard, a Midwest Large Scale Train Show or a Southeast Large Scale Train Show. Aristocraft has stated that they have withdrawn financial support for them both and have chosen to focus on the East Coast Large Scale Train Show to make it bigger and better. The new show boxcars were to be released at all 3 shows for the first time ever but now that will not happen. They will not be doing show locomotives for a couple years as those don't sell as well. One minor note: The Aristocraft Club Cars include a USMC Boxcar aswell. They haven't shown a photograph of it, only of the Army/Navy/Air Force boxcars. More Information reguarding Aristocraft as I can find it.
DragonfyreGT, that is good to know about the Aristocraft coal hoppers. Also, thanx for the news update on the up and coming Large Scale Train Shows. The Mid-West and the South-East shows both really haven't brought alot of people in which is probablwhy Aristocraft is dropping funding for them. The East Coast is one of the other more popular large scale train show and I'm glag Aristocraft wants to invest more into that show. I think that show has really grown in popularity ever since it was moved from New York to York, Pennsylvania. I go to the East Coast Train show every year and it just gets better and better. I will take alot of pictures and post them on train borad from this years show. Without proper financial support, those other 2 shows could be domed to be canceld for next year. Aristocraft really kicks in alot of money for these events. The West Coast Large scale train show which has now been moved to Las Vegas since last year is really big also.
New From Aristocraft! 40' Double Door Boxcars. Currently issued in ATSF, Union Pacific, Cotton Belt, ACL, New York Central, PRR, C&NW and Great Northern. New Roadnames Coming Soon: B&O, N&W, Southern, Milwaukee Road, Southern Pacific, CB&Q/Burlington, W. Maryland, and Erie. -USA Trains Updates from Charles Ro Supply Company: New Center Cupola Caboose Officially Announced: Undecorated, Alaska, B&O, B&M (Blue), B&M (Brown), CN, CP, Chessie, Christmas, Conrail, D&H, Erie Lackawana, Lehigh & New England, Lehigh Valley, MEC, NH, NYC, Pennsy, Reading, SF, SP, TH&B, UP, and WM. -Depressed Center Flat Car 2 Packs: Undecorated, SF, UP, D*RGW, SP, Pennsy, NYC, Conrail, Chessie, CSX, BN, BN, C&S, NH, C&NW -40' Boxcar: TH&B, WM, Soo Line, CN, Rutland, Cotton Belt, Lehigh & New England, Erie Lackawana, Reading. -40' Refridgerator Car, 4 Car Road Name Set: PFE SP/UP -70 Ton 3-Bay Coal Hopper: CN, CP -Ore Car New Road Name: DM&IR -Alco S4 Locomotive New Road Names: Great Northern, Western Pacific, Lehigh, B&M, Milwaukee Road, MEC, CNJ -F3 AB New Road Name: Painted CB&Q/Burlington Route -F3 ABBA Special Santa Fe Chrome Set -PA Chrome Sets: Santa Fe & Delaware & Hudson; ABA, AB, AA Sets -GP30 New Road Names: NYC, Reading, Soo Line, BNSF -GP38-2 New Road Names: BAR, NYC, MEC, Mopac ****** Custom Run News -Aristocraft GP40 Burlington Northern Custom Run. Pre-Order Status Still Active -CSX 4 Bay Coal Hoppers: Delivery Spring 2009 -Rock Island GP7, 2 Road Numbers: Delivery Summer 2009 -Illinois Centeral/Great Northern/Milwaukee Road 4 Road Number 2-Bay Coal Hoppers: In Stock Now. -Golden West Service 4-Bay Hopper Custom Run: Delivery Early 2009 -Kansas City Southern 4-Bay Hopper Custom Run: Delivery Early 2009 The New Aristocraft Non-Custom Run Hoppers are now in stock. St Aubin Trains has recieved them and I am assuming other hobby shops have aswell.
MRL, be sure to check out my Photo album. I have one on my G scale collection and you can see many USA items there. I also have videos of my stuff running here on train board. I have just about every USA train made, almost.
DragonfyreGT, thanx for helping to keep up to date news in G scale. I was the only one doing that for the G scale section for a while. It;s very nice to see others get involved. I always look forward to exciting new releases.
EMD Trainman will be reporting at the ECLS train show I have asked train board to represent them at this years 2009 East Coast Large Scale Train show. I make up and take a few flyers with me and hopefully there will be a public bulletin board to pin one on also. I will be taking many digital pictures from this show this year and post them exclusively right here on train board. You see a few quick shots in garden Railways magazine and thats it from this show. I will take more in depth pictures and try to capture all of the manufacture stands. I got to meet Charles Ro Jr last year and hopefully will get to meet him again. If you absolutely can't go, be sure to check back on in the G scale section after the show date in March. For those not familiar, the East Coast Large Scale Train show is for F and G scale only. Both Fn3 and G scale run on gauge #1 track. Remember, due to the NMRA making 1:20.3 officially a F scale and not G scale, manufacturers such as Accucraft will advertise 1:20.3 as a F scale. The 1:20.3 is a narrow gauge train which best represents the 3ft narrow gauge era. To be more rifined, the NMRA actually calls it 1:20.32 scale ratio. F gauge still runs on gauge #1 track and therefore is also well represented at the show. Accucraft actually has a banner that says 1:20.3 F scale on it. As the show gets closer, I will post the dates for it.
Two more new items hit the market Hartland Locomotive works which manufacturers 1:24 scale ratio G scale trains has come out with a new line of undecorated, but painted locomotives and rolling stock for those who just want to slap thier own custom name on something without the mess of painting. The biggest news is the new release from USA which is the F3 AB set in the Santa Fe warbonnet chrome paint scheme. There are 2 different AB set road numbers. These will not be sold as just an A unit, but maybe you can find someone who wants just another B unit and go half in on the purchase if you want just an A unit. USA caputures this paint scheme well and it looks great. These are out now and available to your local hobby shop. I think the USA F3 is the best looking F unit out there in G scale world, it is also the most fragile in some areas, but a real reliable piece.
