LGB is a manufacturer of model locomotives, rolling stock and railroad accessories of exceptional quality. This is a German Manufacturer that has gone a long way to becoming approachable and making their products more readily available here in the US. Here we have a look at the product range.
The first thing to consider with any overseas manufacturer is supply of original equipment and spares. Additionally we need to know if the whole product range is available to us or just a selection. In the United States there are many distributors and stockists and as far as I can tell you can get pretty much everything in their catalogue. You might find it easier to browse their online catalogue, which has English translation, and make you purchase from a US stockist.
I have seen many LGB layouts and have never, even on one occasion been disappointed with what has been achieved. I do however have one major criticism. They are too clean and look as if they are brand new, I mean everything form the locomotive to the station buildings and from the scenery to the signage. I have been to Germany many times and I promise you that clean as it may be, it is not that clean and bright.
We are pretty good at weathering our layouts and have no doubt that some choice aging would overcome this pristine look. In some ways it is a shame to cover or dirty their superb finishes because the finish is part of the quality. You know, clean cars go better. You can pick up the models and turn them over and immediately you will be struck by the sharpness of detail and that it all feels as if it is well put together. However it is the inside that determines quality and here is as good as can be seen; anywhere. At first sight it looks quite expensive and I'm afraid it looks expensive on second sight as well.
On the track it behaves as well or better than the best to be seen proving the quality is not just aesthetic. The locomotives have at least two pairs of pickups and the only one that I have seen had a beefy and balanced flywheel. I have been surprised however that the range of locomotives appears a thin but they have a mountain of rolling stock. However, there is a huge selection of their other stocked brands such as Marklin, Trix and 4M4.
If I really wanted a high quality German layout I would go for a Marklin locomotive and track and LGB everything else. This is top quality Modelling equipment at top, but not the very top pricing.
Every keen modeller should at some time take the trouble to look at this equipment, if nothing else I guarantee you will come away with ideas for you own layout.
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