Post your non-O scale stuff here!
How many of you folks are into the original or new (Marklin) LGB? I have been a fan, on and off, since 1978. I especially like the Suise (RhB) and Austrian narrow gauge models. Had some Lionel large scale locos, but was disappointed in the quality! LGB is the "gold standard" for me!
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I've always seen LGB as the "Mercedes Benz" of toy trains. I've got a rather beat up set but it last ran on the White House lawn in 2012 and ran beautifully. It was one of the last trains built in Germany as I recall.
I plan to purchase another set for around the tree this year. I've always love the European prototypes. I "collect" LGB catalogs and books. The trains take up a LOT of room that I don't really have. I won't have a permanent set up but have wanted to bring them back out for Christmas.
I love them all. We had several local LGB dealers. Most are gone, one is now selling PIKO. I've heard good things with PIKO but to me, they look cheap compared to LGB.
I have been an LGB fan since my wife bought me the Stainz Christmas set in 1988. Since then I picked up the C&S steamer, a Porter and a bunch of rolling stock. I don't have a G layout now, so its on shelves until the holidays.
I currently have an R2 oval between my outer 072 standard gauge oval and the inner 042 SG oval on a 90" X 86" layout platform in a spare bedroom. The new digital DCC croc runs well with the Piko digital system. My standard gauge trains are Lionel Classics and MTH Tinplate Traditions. I prefer the larger trains like LGB and standard gauge.
Years ago (in the 80's) I picked up the Blue train set and other cars. I put the LGB metal wheels on al and installed the LGB light kits. Back then the prices for the parts were reasonable. I also installed a steam sound in a mail car with a excentric on the axle with a micro switch. This was run buy a 9volt battery. There is also a Ruby and Mammod live steamers. LGB back then made a great product. Do not know how the new stuff compares?
Count me in! I became enamored of the big trains 20 or so years ago. I'm working on a 15' x 6' indoor layout now. Dramatic, if not very big. I have both of the LGB Uintah 2-6-6-2 mallets and some matching rolling stock. Also a Bachmann Spectrum 2-6-6-2, two-truck Shay and 4-4-0 American. They're slightly larger - a different scale. On my small layout, I'm running analog, but I do have sound in some locomotives. I have a Lionel ZW-L transformer and two of the AC to DC converters Lionel made years ago. So I get to use the throttle levers - lots of fun!
LOTS OF FUN is the operative phrase!
The new LGB is very well crafted, both in finish and mechanical construction. The electronics and sounds are well executed.
A big fan since the late 1980s. My parents lived in San Diego and I had an opportunity to visit the LGB facility there in the 1990s. Still have a bit of the original LGB stuff in USA road names. Haven't purchased any large scale in many years, but very fond of the pieces I do have.
Marklin seems to be doing a quality job of overseeing LGB production in Hungary.
I have both old and new LGB and both are great! Had a chance to visit the production facility in Gyor, Hungary a few years back and was quite impressed.
Miketg
I grew up with LGB trains.My Dad was extremely hooked on LGB trains from when they were first sold in the USA back in 1978.He ran the trains indoors only until the early 1990s,then permanently ran them in his backyard until he passed away in 2014.After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer,he still enjoyed restoring his collection and seeing the trains run.Two days before he passed,we watched the latest LGB club dvd.He loved LGB trains to the end.
I have had LGB for many years, dating back to the Blue Train set I bought back when I lived in Hawaii. Still have a fair amount of LGB, including some of the more recent LGB/Marklin items (mostly locomotives). My focus in recent times has been on White Pass & Yukon locomotives and rolling stock, and at some point in the future after my indoor O/On30 layout is up and running, I will likely have a modest-size G gauge garden railroad. I have long regarded LGB as among the best made model trains in any scale.
Happy to join your group here. I have had LGB trains since 1976. Favor the european trains, especially the RhB. Have had both indoor and out door layouts. House hunting now and planning another outdoor layout. The new Marklin trains are nice and well made. I am lucky living in the Chicago burbs one can still get LGB trains that were made in Germany. Many still new or hardly used. The prices are lower that original MSRP!!
I was one of the original members of the the first USA LGB club, The Big Train Operators and am also a member of the Chicago LGB model railroad club.
LGB trains seem to be making a come back with a lot more interest from folks that see our local club displays.
Tom B.
Allan Miller posted:I have had LGB for many years, dating back to the Blue Train set I bought back when I lived in Hawaii. Still have a fair amount of LGB, including some of the more recent LGB/Marklin items (mostly locomotives). My focus in recent times has been on White Pass & Yukon locomotives and rolling stock, and at some point in the future after my indoor O/On30 layout is up and running, I will likely have a modest-size G gauge garden railroad. I have long regarded LGB as among the best made model trains in any scale.
Blue Train set, at least I m not alone
.
I got hooked one prewar O/ and standard gauge Lionel and now McCoy.
I was going to start a outside layout for my LGB, have a bunch of LGB and Aristo-Craft track.
Planning to make a raise railroad with poles about 1 ft above ground, just need time. This is easier to keep clean but not much on the scenery?
I have had a few different LGB locos. I bought very few cars, with the exception of some RhB passenger cars
My favorites in order:
THANKS ALL for sharing your thoughts and photos! :-) Keep 'em coming!
DAN986: WOW! Your dad's collection is awesome! Stunning! He was really a dedicated fan!
TM TERRY: I have seen pictures of the real blue croc pulling the Alpine Classic train. I do not think the RhB ever had a red or green one though. My new digital one (23406) is the traditional chocolate brown.
They are OK. Most of the (edit: US) diesel releases are oversized and some are just plain cartoonish. The Genesis series stood alone for me as their best.
I wonder if they quit making those from poor or sluggish sales? I run into a lot of G scale guys that won't spend any money at all.
LGB started with a scale of 1:22.5 to have the proper overhang for the European 750mm and 1000mm narrow gauge railways in Austria, Switzerland and Germany and those various models were accurate representations of their prototypes. The proper scale for standard gauge US models running on gauge one track is 1:32 although 1:29 will also work.
Also the height of the LGB rail is way too high for standard gauge US models.
Tinplate Art posted:Also the heigth of the LGB rail is way too high for standard gauge US models.
That is one of the reasons that I thought 1:29 looked okay for American Standard Gauge, but 1:24 (or 1:22.5) is just too large. I also bought a few USA and Aristo-Craft locos (1:29) and mostly Aristo-Craft freight cars.
The only thing consistent with G gauge is the 45mm (1 3/4") track gauge. The scales are all over the place!
We have a "G" shelf layout at our club. We are also building an outdoor garden layout.
Great photos and nice layouts!
I had overhead LGB Layout in my office 14' X 24' At one time had 80+ locomotives and 250+ cars now sold I did retain enough for grandchildren to have a set to operate. Still have The DRG-k28 
LGB trains came into my scope of model railroading in the early '90s. Almost immediately I started building a garden railway. I have fun with them and enjoy tinkering with new ideas. Here's a sampling of my railway, from some of the oldest films to this years film making.
It is a pity that Brawa , who did some G some years ago, stopped with that range. Their locomotive is maybe not that robust but much more beautifully detailed then LGB. Here is some Brawa and LGB:
Regards
Fred
Not familiar with Brawa, but NICE steam engine - is it metal construction - brass?
They apparently go for big $$$$ on the bay!
Tinplate Art posted:Not familiar with Brawa, but NICE steam engine - is it metal construction - brass?
It is a plastic/metal model; it is very heavy and smooth running. There was a version with and one without sound, mine is without. The cars were plastic and a bit light, but very nicely detailed.
Regards
Fred
Fred: THANK YOU for your reply! Again, a very nice engine!
Fred: What is your opinion of Delton?
I have no opinion on Delton since I only have one reefer car by Delton (which is a nice car), but I do not have any experience with their locomotives.
Regards
Fred
They were early on with brass in G, along with Aster and Fulgarex in 1:32 gauge one.
I posted this before,but here it is again,in case anyone interested missed it.I made a video last August of all the G scale trains my Dad loved to run in his backyard every Summer.
My plan for retirement is to create a large layout outside since I still have 12years to retire I am in the process of collecting what I need to complete it they are so nice when they run outside
fl9turbo2 posted:My plan for retirement is to create a large layout outside since I still have 12years to retire I am in the process of collecting what I need to complete it they are so nice when they run outside
Have you started to accumulate track yet?
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