Suggestions for new models (LGB & PIKO)
- Thread starter Willem WDLS
- Start date
Neil Robinson
Registered
I doubt it'll happen but I've long thought that Tralee & Dingle 2-6-2T No 5 would make a good model.
As the prototype is a Hunslet it's of typical British appearance, it still exists and in full working order about 5 years ago, it spent a fair time in the USA so there may be some American interest in the model and it's 3 ft gauge so reasonably to scale.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TDLR_5
As the prototype is a Hunslet it's of typical British appearance, it still exists and in full working order about 5 years ago, it spent a fair time in the USA so there may be some American interest in the model and it's 3 ft gauge so reasonably to scale.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TDLR_5
PaulRhB
This Way Up
oberinntalbahn said:From LGB I would like to see the previously projected original green version of the RhB Ge 6/6II - But what I really, really, really want is an original green RhB Ge 4/4I
or preferably from Piko at around the £300 mark, and a scale length Ge4/4 III now they'd be interesting competition and price comparisons!
Oh and Piko do some RhB coaches too for around the £150 mark
A little competition is always good for prices . . .
Neil Robinson said:
Hefty beast, and if I recall it's got someting like an 8'6" fixed wheelbase, 130mm in 1:20.3, which is on the 'technically challenging' level when it comes to R1, particularly with biggish wheels. Mechanically, you're looking at running gear something like the accucraft caledonia (blind centre drivers, but with outside gear) and then adding pony trucks and a much longer body, I'm guessing this loco 50% longer than the cali.
How important is R1 capability to people?... how much of the market does having a minium radius of 3ft or even 4ft knock out?
Jonathan
RDE
PaulRhB
This Way Up
Resin D Etre Ltd said:
Ah a controversial question
Bachmann sold all the K27's but struggled with the Connies which were limited to R3. The US market has lots of steam and diesels in standard gauge that need R3 minimum but that's what they've been like form the start so they don't mind and if you want big locos then you have to build the layout to suit.LGB and the European market that has grown up around it however follow the LGB philosophy that they should all run on R1 so anything that needs a bigger minimum creates a lot of disquiet within the fan base that built with R1. It would meet with a lot of resistance if the new owners ever tried to overturn that philosophy with the LGB brand. It's been discussed colourfully on here many times
Lobethalbahn2
Registered
In terms of past LGB, I'd love to see the return of the Mixnitz electric and the RhB Ge 2/4 'Bugeleisen' (in brown or green). It might also be interesting (although maybe unlikely) to see some of the Austrian locos (U class & 2091) and stock in DRG (post-Anschluss) livery. I'd also like more Epoch 1/2 rolling stock (RhB - for 'Thusis') and the clerestory compartment coaches.
In the 'it isn't going to happen but it would be nice' list:
The LGB South Park Mogul in South Australian Railways (SAR) X Class livery (possible as it's a repaint only).
http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/DavidFletcher/ngdu/SAR-Xclass.pdf < Link To http://1stclass.mylargesc...er/ngdu/SAR-Xclass.pdf
The rest are truly fantasy:
SAR Narrow Gauge 830 class Alco diesel (on the White Pass Alco chassis)
http://www.johnnyspages.com/jamestown_1_files/6_830_gb_jamestown_56_customline_oct1965.jpg < Link To http://www.johnnyspages.c...customline_oct1965.jpg
SAR Y Class Mogul (Beyer Peacock) - also ran elsewhere in Australia (WA and Tasmania)
http://www.johnnyspages.com/glenco_se_files/1_last_train_glenco.jpg < Link To http://www.johnnyspages.c..._last_train_glenco.jpg
SAR T Class 4-8-0
http://www.mrsac.com/cgi-bin/show_photo.pl?p=t-class/image051.jpg < Link To http://www.mrsac.com/cgi-...p=t-class/image051.jpg
SAR 'Coffee Pot' Railmotor
http://www.comrails.com/pic_a/a_cr0...le.com/DavidFletcher/ngdu/Na1-Lyn-Colour2.pdf < Link To http://1stclass.mylargesc...du/Na1-Lyn-Colour2.pdf
G class
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Puffing_Billy_Garratt_G42_07.jpg < Link To http://en.wikipedia.org/w...lly_Garratt_G42_07.jpg
In the 'it isn't going to happen but it would be nice' list:
The LGB South Park Mogul in South Australian Railways (SAR) X Class livery (possible as it's a repaint only).
http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/DavidFletcher/ngdu/SAR-Xclass.pdf < Link To http://1stclass.mylargesc...er/ngdu/SAR-Xclass.pdf
The rest are truly fantasy:
SAR Narrow Gauge 830 class Alco diesel (on the White Pass Alco chassis)
http://www.johnnyspages.com/jamestown_1_files/6_830_gb_jamestown_56_customline_oct1965.jpg < Link To http://www.johnnyspages.c...customline_oct1965.jpg
SAR Y Class Mogul (Beyer Peacock) - also ran elsewhere in Australia (WA and Tasmania)
http://www.johnnyspages.com/glenco_se_files/1_last_train_glenco.jpg < Link To http://www.johnnyspages.c..._last_train_glenco.jpg
SAR T Class 4-8-0
http://www.mrsac.com/cgi-bin/show_photo.pl?p=t-class/image051.jpg < Link To http://www.mrsac.com/cgi-...p=t-class/image051.jpg
SAR 'Coffee Pot' Railmotor
http://www.comrails.com/pic_a/a_cr0...le.com/DavidFletcher/ngdu/Na1-Lyn-Colour2.pdf < Link To http://1stclass.mylargesc...du/Na1-Lyn-Colour2.pdf
G class
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Puffing_Billy_Garratt_G42_07.jpg < Link To http://en.wikipedia.org/w...lly_Garratt_G42_07.jpg
Over forty years of production and yet no British outline locomotives or rolling stock (I am not counting the Corpet that wandered across the channel) and apart from the Genesis and Amtrak coaches (LGB of A intervention) and no new American stock since the late 1990's (other than repaints of existing tooling), I can see that any new product will be of European prototype. Nothing else will be entertained. Look to LGB history. LGB cater to the European market.
littletone said:About time LGB did a D&RGW K36/37................
Kiss makes some in metal. http://www.kiss-modelbahnen.de/brk36.html
Have one myself
A very interesting thread!
So many requests for Continental or American lcoos with virtually no British requests.
In my mind the real question is do the many forum members living in the UK really really want Continental locos, or do they just presume there is no point asking these manufacturers for British designs so they might as well ask for their preffered loco out of the Continental possibilities?
Happy steamings,
John
So many requests for Continental or American lcoos with virtually no British requests.
In my mind the real question is do the many forum members living in the UK really really want Continental locos, or do they just presume there is no point asking these manufacturers for British designs so they might as well ask for their preffered loco out of the Continental possibilities?
Happy steamings,
John
I definitely think there is a market for British prototypes, but (sadly) the chances of LGB filling that gap in the market are pretty remote. Perhaps, one day, an enterprising manufacturer will realise this and move to fill the gap. Bachmann have had a dabble with their new L&B loco (and others) which I saw in the flesh the other day and looks very good - lets hope they have learnt their lesson from the problems experienced with the original version.
In the meantime many of us will have to continue relying on GRS and other kits.
One plea I would make to all potential manufacturers - introducing a new model of a large loco doesn't guarantee successful sales. A well made, keenly priced 0-4-0 or 0-6-0 might not realise such a premium price, but I'm sure they would shift more units. Marklin/LGB's latest little diesel Kof is a case in point.
In the meantime many of us will have to continue relying on GRS and other kits.
One plea I would make to all potential manufacturers - introducing a new model of a large loco doesn't guarantee successful sales. A well made, keenly priced 0-4-0 or 0-6-0 might not realise such a premium price, but I'm sure they would shift more units. Marklin/LGB's latest little diesel Kof is a case in point.
chris m01
Registered
To be fair they need to cater for their known market and where sales of a new model can at least be predicted to a degree. A step into the UK would be a step into the unknown and unpredictable sales wise. In the current market economic circumstances for Europe and LGB you could not expect them to risk a step into the unknown.Tim Brien said:
chris m01
Registered
An interesting question. If there had been plenty of UK G scale around when I started I would almost certainly have chosen that route without a further thought. All my previous smaller layouts were British based and nothing else was considered. In G I went American because I liked the look of the models available. On reflection this has been a good thing because it caused me read a lot about US railroads and I have learned a lot about the railroads and the a little about the culture and the country. It has broadened my mind which must be a good thing. Following on from from this I now also have more interest in European and other railways than I had before. So whilst the initial decision was driven by necessity I am really pleased with the consequences and am more knowledgeable about a fascinating subject.Sea Lion said:
And yes I really do love American railroads because they are so diferrent to ours. There is fantastic diversity and virtually a prototype for anything you can think of for your model railway. Trains can be between 1 wagon and 1.5 miles long. There are 50 year old locos still in everyday use and old liveries stay around for many many years after the railroad has gone. They even attached a jet motor to a railcar once but I'm not going to try this at home.
New Haven Neil 2
Registered
Ah the NYC did that, jet engines on top of an RDC! We could re-create it in G scale, shades of the Tri-ang battle space railcar!!!!
PaulRhB
This Way Up
I suppose John we have looked to Accucraft for UK models. I went to G after modelling UK narrow gauge in 009 and O16.5 and Swiss HOm. I went to buy a german HOm loco and found the LGB one was the same price, value for money won.
So yes I have now gone back to UK narrow gauge but chose to continue in G for the heft and running quality. If I had space I would probably use G exclusively but I'll continue in the smaller scales for the realistic scenery in a realistic space
Bachmann or LGB moving into the UK Market would obviously give an advantage of range and it would maybe encourage Accucraft to increase the range of plastic stock at the keen prices of the wagons and Baguley. I have said several times that it would be interesting to see what would happen if Piko decided to go head to head with LGB as Bachmann did with the US market, I believe that's why LGB didn't further that range with more enthusiasm.
Piko, Bachmann, and to an extent Accucraft have proved that you can make good models at a significantly lower price and that's going to appeal to a Market that couldn't justify spending on their favourites in the LGB range. It's one thing to say LGB makes some small affordable locos but people then look and say but I can have the big US diesel that actually looks really nice too for the same price. Bachmann, Hornby, Piko and others now offer older models or even basic new releases in two ranges aimed at the stripped down basic or highly detailed and specified ends of the market. They are using these to drive the introduction of new customers who can build up a collection and then later upgrade gradually to the higher spec. Never underestimate our want for lots of shiny toys now rather than patiently saving and buying especially with the limited production methods that now rule. I remember as a teenager saving for an O gauge loco only to find the kit had been discontinued by the time I had the money, that was really frustrating. Now with a decent job I use the pre orders to give time to put money by.
The furore over Nq models is an example, if money's tight who's going to choose a £150 coach over a £40 identical one? Now Trainline offer the more prototypical Harz coaches at a similar price to LGB I would switch to their models to expand my train rather than paying a premium price for a shorty coach. However if you have newquida at £50, LGB at £100 and trainline at £170 the shorty LGB model starts to look like value again. Each step in price gives you something more.
Keeping old models going is good but as so many others are using them to sell cheaply but in greater numbers you have to ask if they are missing a trick at LGB and could rebuild the brand along similar lines and establish a budget customer base too who can only afford an odd item from the premium range.
So yes I have now gone back to UK narrow gauge but chose to continue in G for the heft and running quality. If I had space I would probably use G exclusively but I'll continue in the smaller scales for the realistic scenery in a realistic space
Bachmann or LGB moving into the UK Market would obviously give an advantage of range and it would maybe encourage Accucraft to increase the range of plastic stock at the keen prices of the wagons and Baguley. I have said several times that it would be interesting to see what would happen if Piko decided to go head to head with LGB as Bachmann did with the US market, I believe that's why LGB didn't further that range with more enthusiasm.
Piko, Bachmann, and to an extent Accucraft have proved that you can make good models at a significantly lower price and that's going to appeal to a Market that couldn't justify spending on their favourites in the LGB range. It's one thing to say LGB makes some small affordable locos but people then look and say but I can have the big US diesel that actually looks really nice too for the same price. Bachmann, Hornby, Piko and others now offer older models or even basic new releases in two ranges aimed at the stripped down basic or highly detailed and specified ends of the market. They are using these to drive the introduction of new customers who can build up a collection and then later upgrade gradually to the higher spec. Never underestimate our want for lots of shiny toys now rather than patiently saving and buying especially with the limited production methods that now rule. I remember as a teenager saving for an O gauge loco only to find the kit had been discontinued by the time I had the money, that was really frustrating. Now with a decent job I use the pre orders to give time to put money by.
The furore over Nq models is an example, if money's tight who's going to choose a £150 coach over a £40 identical one? Now Trainline offer the more prototypical Harz coaches at a similar price to LGB I would switch to their models to expand my train rather than paying a premium price for a shorty coach. However if you have newquida at £50, LGB at £100 and trainline at £170 the shorty LGB model starts to look like value again. Each step in price gives you something more.
Keeping old models going is good but as so many others are using them to sell cheaply but in greater numbers you have to ask if they are missing a trick at LGB and could rebuild the brand along similar lines and establish a budget customer base too who can only afford an odd item from the premium range.
whatlep
Registered
I'd still happily buy the Toytrain range of wagons if they were available at Toytrain prices. Interestingly, the Toytrain wagon from that starter set is being sold at 34.99 Euros, which tends to suggest what the market will bear.PaulRhB said:
LGB might begin with the starter set Stainz I profiled recently which is being sold in Germany at 89.99 Euros. The retailer must be making a profit, but perhaps LGB are not. Even if it was 120 Euros retail in the starter set condition, I bet there'd be quite a few sales (it would be a direct competitor with Piko's BR80 at that price). Perception is all at the bottom end of the market: I suggest that 250 Euros for a Stainz doesn't look very good value to many prospective buyers, even though many GSCers know that the little beggars will take all manner of abuse and effectively last for ever.
PaulRhB
This Way Up
I think models like the Desiro and Harz railcar offer good prototypes for a stripped down basic model that could be offered in the higher range with extra details. I would say though that the Desiro needs windows, rather than stickers like the ICE, even if in the budget range the windows are tinted to hide an empty interior or even be black.
I never understood why they chose the freelance US starter loco rather than a basic prototypical model that might appeal to people prepared to add the extra details.
The Porter is a brilliant example of what they can do, a bright basic loco that is cheap but full of chunky character and with a chip and toned down paint it sat perfectly in the main range too. Now if they took a leaf out of Bachmann's On30 book they could release it in 0-4-0 and 0-4-2 variants at minimal cost. Even add a selection of accessories such as a winch equipped one for logging layouts. At least 3 different models from one existing one. Another option would be to re-use that chassis, as they did with Otto, to offer different locos with a common boiler but different cabs. A Germanic or UK style cab can vastly alter the look and just change the smokebox door as well.
Also the U class chassis could be used to model the bigger Austrian 498 class 0-6-2 that is produced by Lilliput in HO alongside their U class.
http://www.ontracks.co.uk/index.php?page=product&prodID=155318&catID=305 < Link To http://www.ontracks.co.uk...rodID=155318&catID=305
So make the most of the existing tooling but create something really new with it.
I never understood why they chose the freelance US starter loco rather than a basic prototypical model that might appeal to people prepared to add the extra details.
The Porter is a brilliant example of what they can do, a bright basic loco that is cheap but full of chunky character and with a chip and toned down paint it sat perfectly in the main range too. Now if they took a leaf out of Bachmann's On30 book they could release it in 0-4-0 and 0-4-2 variants at minimal cost. Even add a selection of accessories such as a winch equipped one for logging layouts. At least 3 different models from one existing one. Another option would be to re-use that chassis, as they did with Otto, to offer different locos with a common boiler but different cabs. A Germanic or UK style cab can vastly alter the look and just change the smokebox door as well.
Also the U class chassis could be used to model the bigger Austrian 498 class 0-6-2 that is produced by Lilliput in HO alongside their U class.
http://www.ontracks.co.uk/index.php?page=product&prodID=155318&catID=305 < Link To http://www.ontracks.co.uk...rodID=155318&catID=305
So make the most of the existing tooling but create something really new with it.
garrymartin
My Family,Railways, Beer and the Seaside
I do not expect LGB to make a model of a British model so I will not suggest one. However if they worked more closely with model kit producers like GRS so more models could be developed using their chassis & running gear, & they could be obtained with the kit so you do not need to go hunting all over , or resort to e-bay, to get a second hand one in unknown condition then I feel that would help suppliers, modelers & LGB alike.