The LGB Collector -- A Life Time Story Part 5

The following is a translation of "The LGB Collector", an article by H.-Jürgen Neumann from Spring 2006. Mr. Neumann published it in his own IIm-Online News web page. You can read the original article  at http://www.lgb-much.de/20406.pdf and use a Google translation or similar. To avoid mixing-ups in context with Yours Truly you will find "(HJN)", the abbreviation for H.-Jürgen Neumann,  in places were the original author refers to himself since the article is about his lifelong journey being a dyed-in-the-wool LGB fan.

In 1975 I moved back into my parent's house in Wuppertal, the city of my original upbringing. A garden shed was part of that property which I annexed instantly for my LGB purposes. There I established my first real layout on a plywood board. The LGB Depesche published photos in issue 31/32. Accessories at hand at that time are clearly recognizable. A train station and a freight shed by "Lindberg", loco shed, small freight shed and platforms by "Preiser" (who unfortunately did not continue with their product program). The ramps are by "Kibri" , they are displayed on the upper photo on the right. An oldtimer car by "Schuco" (which is now owned by the same people who now own LGB) is waiting at the railway crossing gate.

Top: View onto the first 'real' LGB layout. behind the turntable is the loco shed by Preiser
Middle: Lindberg- train station already w/ several  upgrade accessories. In front the platform by Preiser
Bottom: Small freight shed by Preiser on left. The train station lamps deliver a romantic light.

I won runner-up with this layout at a LGB at a LGB photo-competition! Again, the LGB Depesche reported about this see magazine # 35 from 1978, pages 18 to 21. By then the "Lindberg" trainstation was replaced by the 'Kleinbach' by "POLA", also a lineman shed by POLA, a coal silo and a small crane by HMB as well as many added LGB locomotives and cars.

clockwise from top left: the green "Waldenburg" steam loco waits at the platform. View of the train station area with BW-in the back a 2080 w passenger cars is approaching. Layout plan of the new LGB layout in the garden shed. The new OBB Diesel loco 2095 at work- in the front a little platform shed deriving from as loco shed addition by Preiser. The "Kleinbach' train station by POLA, the  wonderful old timer structure was something special back then;look closely and you can see a lot of additional accessories! Mr. Speedy hurries to the (POLA) train station to take the Fiery Eli into the city nearby.

In 1979 I moved from Wuppertal to Much. I worked in Cologne at that time and wanted to built a home-house. Via the "Koelner Stadtanzeiger" (Cologne newspaper) I found a piece of land in Much -until that time unbeknownst to me - about 30 (car) minutes from Cologne. The property measures 1,200 square-meter (roughly 1/4 acre) and would have been non-affordable within Cologne city limits. Right-away I told my architect that I needed a train-basement. So he planned a basement room covering the complete length and width of the house : 11 yards by 5 yards. But it took another 5 years until I could start building my layout. First, this room got used as storage room right after moving in and then I had other things to do, landscaping my backyard and other chores.

clockwise from top: atmospheric shot in the depot.- On the right the drive-up ramp by Kibri, dense housing with several buildings and a small crane - Coal silo (on right side in photo) by HMB made out of wood.- Drive-up ramp by Kibri (in front) behind that the gatekeeper shed by POLA.

The LGB Collector -- A Life Time Story -- Part 4

The following is a translation of "The LGB Collector", an article by H.-Jürgen Neumann from Spring 2006. Mr. Neumann published it in his own IIm-Online News web page. You can read the original article  at http://www.lgb-much.de/20406.pdf and use a Google translation or similar. To avoid mixing-ups in context with Yours Truly you will find "(HJN)", the abbreviation for H.-Jürgen Neumann,  in places were the original author refers to himself since the article is about his lifelong journey being a dyed-in-the-wool LGB fan.

....Many a contacts developed through my LGB Hobby and my activities. Speaking with LGB friends at fairs and conventions, entertained  a friendship with the Swiss LGB Club and their President Erwin Neuweiler; as well as with the American LGB Club of which I am a member for many years. I phoned  Mr. Zeunert- who managed the LGB Depesche or met with him at fairs. I met and befriended a lot of dealers among them Jürgen Baumann, Jacob Groen, Marion Hötzel, Sven Linden, Hans-Peter Naber, Hans-Herrmann Nahrgang, Erwin Neuweiler, Frank Michael Pohl and others. In addition there were the manufacturers of other Big Train items and accessories. There were and are still today a great many friendships into all of the LGB world.
But back to the year 1972: Thank the Lord - I have to admit nowadays- I wasn't a good tinkerer. What others did to their LGB engines: super them up, paint them, construct one long one out of two short ones- I had no clue. I operated them the way they came out of the box. Maybe I added freight or transported my guinea pigs (which I kept as pets) with them. There are really just a very few engines which I tinkered with. For instance the American caboose # 4065 which I photographed for my 'Historic Pages' the other day. It was furnished with metal axles and power pickup plus two rear lights. While I removed the metal axles and the power pickup after the photo shoot and replaced them with the still existing Original axles the holes in the boxcar remained being needed for the cables to the rear lights -- what a pity considering today's (collector's) value.
I also have to admit to another 'failing' since I replaced the originally plastic trailing wheels for the U-Series with metal axles. It looked nicer. But I still have the originals so I can 're-work' the locos in the near future.
What I really bemoan is that I burned the LGB boxes in the field adjacent (to my home) because I didn't have enough space. But I grew wise fast and stopped that altogether.
My next stop was the attic in the same house where I first put my layout on the kitchen floor. This attic had been used by the landlord to store some junk and he agreed to let me use it to put up my first LGB (layout) - and the best was I could leave it there permanently. Yes I took pictures, look into LGB depesche # 23/24, page 46. Picture 2 shows the opening (flip door) to the attic, my access to my LGB world. The caption to the photos read that the layout had 80 yards of track and operated 15 engines and 65 cars. As you can see I was already really hooked on LGB.....

Top:Lindberg Station and various trains. The completely green steam loco of the U-Series is still very much sought after even today. You can easily see that the layout is in the attic.
Bottom: View from the station. A "Fiery Eli" switching on the rail junction, followed by Lindberg buildings. There also was a stretch of catenary line for the electric loco. (the white 'square' on the floor in the back is the attic access...)

Looking for this Depesche magazine I (HJN) found issue # 25/26 and on page 41 discovered one of my tinkering 'excesses'. The little Gustav handcar was a new item in 1971 (LGB# 2001) (see LGB Depesche # 9, page 14) but production showed way less sophisticated bodywork (than the hand model). So I took a sharp knife and cut out the parts in-between the planks. That way the wheels became better visible. My work was published and described in the LGB Depesche but the LGB factory never changed their mold.

Top: my first conversion: taking a sharp knife to cut out the material between the planks achieving a filigree look.
Bottom: Hand model to compare to top.The wheels had to be bigger than on the  hand model so they would  pass over an uncoupling track

+++++++++++++++++++to be continued+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The LGB Collector -- A Lifetime Story Part 3

The following is a translation of "The LGB Collector", an article by H.-Jürgen Neumann from Spring 2006. Mr. Neumann published it in his own IIm-Online News web page. You can read the original article  at http://www.lgb-much.de/20406.pdf and use a Google translation or similar. To avoid mixing-ups in context with Yours Truly you will find "(HJN)", the abbreviation for H.-Jürgen Neumann,  in places were the original author refers to himself since the article is about his lifelong journey being a dyed-in-the-wool LGB fan.

I always had some repairs with me alongside a number of wishes and requests from our club members especially those looking for spare parts. Those wishes were promptly worked on upon my arrival. And it went without saying that I joined their breakfast break at 9.00 a.m. Of course I made sure that coffee and doughnuts were on me. Only then I went to see the 'bosses' and other departments.
Mrs. Grimm headed and managed her "Grimm's spare parts department" for many years at the Annual LGB Club Conventions; which she organized for years in co-operation with her husband who also worked for LGB as head of assembling. Club members took their LGB worries and pains mostly in form of their engines and cars to her 'booth' were most of them found help right away. Tougher cases were taken back to the factory after the convention and returned  to their owners by mail. Every year when I attend the International Toy Fair in Nuremberg I stay at the "Pensione Grimm" and every evening then we go for dinner to the "Golden Hirsch" to reminisce about old times and exchange news.

LGB Factory and all of their employees in 1997 (image added by Yours Truly)

There were a whole slew of great men and women at LGB with whom I struck up great friendships over the years. In addition to Messrs. Wolfgang, Johannes and Rolf Richter I most often contacted Messrs Schnidtmann and Jagiella; Mr. Schnidtmann was heading the "DesignTuning" department while Mr. Jagiella heading the printing department was my go-to guy for all things printing/labeling on club cars. When Mrs. Grimm entered  her - well-deserved - retirement Mr. Thier followed her as head of repairs. He learned the ropes quickly and he supported me and the LGB Club very well and just the way I was used to. Mr. Biedenbacher is head of customer service and we always shared a wonderful co-operation and collaboration. I remember very well that for what reason ever he needed two really old manual switches. He got them instantly for free out of my personal 'stock'....
Then there was the time when Mr (Klaus) Baumann was still VP of Sales. Looking back it is a fact that he was responsible for quite a big chunk of Lehmann's success. He was always on the front lines, attending each and every fair and convention and took care of each and every LGB fan. TV appearances and spontaneous interviews were his daily bread - he just was a celebrated character. We always got along really well and had great collaborations. If the club had to assemble a layout within an (LGB) convention booth I just sat down with him briefly, talked it over and never heard from or saw him again until the convention opened. He just new I would do it right. I fondly remember my Friday-Appointments (with Klaus Baumann) at the LGB factory where we went for lunch to the Italian restaurant, company credit card in hand. On those occasions we exchanged ideas, general LGB- world news, and scheduled new appointments.
I also always liked to work with Mr. Bauer. Years ago we met by pure coincidence  and jointly celebrated New Years Eve at Hotel Badersee in Grainau (Bavaria). It's a small world after all-sometimes...
I also received a lot of help from Mr. Michel (head of purchasing) and Mr. Gall (Technical Director). Mrs. Gerl, the former Ms. Krueger, always welcomed me with a cup of coffee. Mrs. Aumer, Wolfgang Richter's personal secretary, secured my appointments with the bosses. In earlier years when Mr. Ottinger was still head of shipping&dispatch he helped me a great deal with brochures, pamphlets, and catalogs.+++++++++++++++++++to be continued+++++++++++++++++++++++

The LGB Collector -- A Lifetime Story Part 2

The following is a translation of "The LGB Collector", an article by H.-Jürgen Neumann from Spring 2006. Mr. Neumann published it in his own IIm-Online News web page. You can read the original article  at http://www.lgb-much.de/20406.pdf and use a Google translation or similar. To avoid mixing-ups in context with Yours Truly you will find "(HJN)", the abbreviation for H.-Jürgen Neumann,  in places were the original author refers to himself since the article is about his lifelong journey being a dyed-in-the-wool LGB fan.

...I (HJN) had won the prize numbering somewhere between # 11 and # 50: a car of my choice! Writing this is the opportunity for me to make a confession to the former jury: I didn't have enough tracks for the branch-lines. And the photo in the hallway was made possible by me taking off track in the living room, rushing to put them down someplace else! There- I said it, 34 years later. But even back then I didn't have any remorse since 4 weeks later I had bought so much more track material that the layout had grown respectively.

Left: the 'roundabout' tracks on the living room floor.
Right: the branch line , the LGB # 2030 little electro loco just coming out of the bedroom

I picked up my prized car in Nuremberg myself after arranging for a meeting with Mr. Wolfgang Richter beforehand. I was amicably welcomed and since I brought my slide projector did a show of my layout. (Dearest Reader, please know that in the early 70's the worst thing you could do at a German party was make people watch slide shows...Yours Truly...) Frankly, I was under the impression that he really liked my slide show because, after all, afterwards he took me on a tour through the whole factory - unhurriedly. And then I was invited for lunch to a restaurant near by. To me it was like pigs did fly!...Those were the beginnings of a friendship that kept until today (in 2006). But I also made sure that whenever afterwards I scheduled a visit to the factory - which became regular visits - I made sure it fit their plans and I was welcomed to show up. The workload for Wolfgang Richter and then later for Rolf and Johannes increased so much that they couldn't afford hour-long breaks just like that.

A close collaboration then ensued due to the founding of the LGB Club Rhein/Sieg, which had its own club magazine, shows and exhibitions sharing quite often a booth with Lehmann (LGB). This allowed  me to experience great support from LGB for me personally and for our club. We exhibited our club at the LGB Summer Fest 1998 and at various fairs and shows, we managed Specialty shows about historic LGB stock, we hand-built pre-production models, consulted regarding new items and novelties and reported about views, trends and opinions directly from the 'front line'.
Of course I visited the subsidiary "LGB of America" in later years in San Diego/CA. There is still a noce photo somewhere where I make myself very comfortable in the Richter-executive-chair at the desk where they worked if they came over from Nuremberg. I remember very well their  warehouse were all those "treasures" were stocked in droves. Treasures that were highly sought after by collectors here at home. They also had a "Inge" (German female first name short for Ingrid) which we called simply "the American Frau Grimm". (Ms Grimm was legendary in her knowledge -by heart!!- of each and every! spare part and LGB item EVER made, its price and the shelve it was stocked in). As far as the German Frau Grimm is concerned, the 'real' Frau Grimm -chief of the repair department in Nuremberg until 1999- we had an amicable relationship which I always nursed and cultivated even  until today. Ms Grimm was always the first to see when I visited LGB/Nuremberg. Usually I went there on Fridays and you knew(!) it was precisely 7.00 a.m. since I was entering their parking place exactly at that time..( and the bosses' cars were already there...)++++++++++++++++to be continued++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The LGB Collector - A Lifetime Story

The following is a translation of "The LGB Collector", an article by H.-Jürgen Neumann from Spring 2006. Mr. Neumann published it in his own IIm-Online News web page. You can read the original article  at http://www.lgb-much.de/20406.pdf and use a Google translation or similar. To avoid mixing-ups in context with Yours Truly you will find "(HJN)", the abbreviation for H.-Jürgen Neumann,  in places were the original author refers to himself since the article is about his lifelong journey being a dyed-in-the-wool LGB fan.

The LGB Collector - German American Friendship

- I dedicated this report to Mr. Wolfgang Richter! - Thank you! - (HJN)

Anniversary set commemorating the 10th anniversary of the American BTO-LGB Clubs in 1988. It contains a 2010D loco and three coaches in white with commemorative labeling.  On the rear side the loco has a brass plate displaying engraved initials (of the owner) and his/her club member number - in this case H-J N 1087-. Limited edition of 500. It came in a white box, made in USA, printed labeling, and individual (clubmember) names handwritten by Alfred Lenz, back then (in 1988) the president of the BTO clubs. I (HJN) received this trainset in person while attending the anniversary convention in Pittsburgh. That's not the only reason why it means so much to me but also because of the many friendships with American LGB Friends.

The LGB Collector - a very personal story
When in 1972 I (HJN) saw LGB for the very first time I was 23 years old, was moved to Siegen (about 60 miles east of Cologne/West Germany) by my employer and found myself one day in the toy department "Mehr am Markt" in Siegen. If you took the stairs to the 2nd floor and turned right there was a corner reserved for the Lehmann Big Train. There you would get everything that was manufactured back then; and they still offered rail road vehicles from the very first years with locomotives carrying Heuler motors. All items were subject to price maintenance. I remember very well that when I asked for a price discount for a pretty dusty green U-series loco the salesman had to go and call the LGB factory first to get permission to do so. That's how it used to be! If you come to think  about some of the price wars fought in later years - that early systems wasn't that bad--- in any case there were enough dealers carrying LGB. Even the "Globus" department store (compare to a SuperTarget) offered LGB. And while doing the weekly grocery shopping we regularly bought one car. Everything was so much less expensive then. Even the "Handelshof" (think Cosco concept) as a cash&carry market offered the Lehmann Big Train. I remember exactly the incident where the small, completely blue E-loco(s) LGB# 2031 were piled up high in that store because that color compared to her 'prettier' sister (engines) wasn't favored enough (by buyers). Today (2006) this loco is one of the most wanted and most valuable of her time! That's how it is sometimes...

Back then one was not an LGB collector. One just went and bought all trains, locos and cars that came out as far as your financial means let you. Most probably almost always every started (the hobby) with a starter set. Me too! Then came the various cars and track material. I remember very well the February deadline for the contest by Lehmann for the prettiest indoor layout. Another contest for outdoor layouts had already been done two years ago. This time - of course - I wanted to participate and set up my layout on the floor of my rented apartment, round-about in the living room with a pass-track to the kitchen and into the bedroom. See layout blueprint below.....

+++++++++++++++++to be continued++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A little treat - the download for the 2nd LGB catalog 1969/70

Here is a link to the 2nd ever published LGB catalog from the year 1969/70

http://www.lgb-much.de/Prospekt_1969_70.pdf


The catalog was completely in German but with our previous blogs you should be fine in understanding the descriptions provided. Please note that printing in color was extremely expensive back then. Therefore you will find that part of the catalog was printed in black and white. LGB never listed prices in their catalogs.

From the start LGB drove a twin path; advertise for children and family play time and price for adults. The initial sales price for a starter set was DEM 198.00. That was pretty steep compared to the average weekly wages of roughly DEM 90.00 to 120.00 in 1969 for workers and clerks in Western Germany.

Take a look at page 2  and 4 of the old catalog and see the ad-focus on the child playing with the LGB train and on page 4 the focus on family as well as on the outdoors capability of the LGB trains. Note that is was in full color. This was very expensive to print! And check out the background use of a swimmingpool - the ordinary German had not even easy access to a public swimming-pool in 1969 and had to walk for at least 30 minutes to get to one! Let alone of having one in your own back yard ...that was something for millionaires and entrepreneurs...The LGB 'double standard' was established early on.

Also note the photo scene where the father pours a beverage. See the yellow 'stuff' in the glasses? That shall make the viewer think lemonade, but EVERYONE knew back then that lemonade came in clear bottles and beer was poured from green or brown 1/2 liter bottles (equivalent to 2 1/2 cups). It was a very common activity to have something mechanical serving your beer at parties and this is what this scene is trying to purvey. Remember : beer in Germany was by law considered a food in many states (like Bavaria, and Nuremberg is in Bavaria) and not an alcoholic beverage.

Page 3 -  in black and white, the serious color- we are talking rationing and technical information here - emphasizes the gauge, the indoor and outdoor capability ("operates all season long") and is "small enough to find a place in even the smallest apartment" . Remember: the year is 1969, Western Germany is still in recovery from being completely destroyed by the Allies in WW II. Apartments and living space was slowly rebuilt.To have housing for everyone many apartments were limited in space to roughly 700 sqft for a family of 4. Many regions and cities had housing laws that did not allow for living rooms to be bigger than 250sqft to not waste build-able space for others with lesser means. To advertise that you could already operate an LGB set on less than 1.3 square yards was essential - and LGB did.

Wording and photography also emphasized on the combination of technology (precision manufacturing on precision machinery with high quality material (like brass loco wheels and chrome coated parts) and tradition (LGB dates back to 1881 and was famous for their mechanical tin toys).

With that in mind enjoy the 16 pages and if you like to add an old set to your collection, please contact us- we are able to help.

LGB 1968-1971 -- Tracks, Switches, Transformers, Accessories

The following is a translation of an article/internet posting by IIm-online Nachrichten(News).  H.-Jürgen Neumann, the publisher of these News, gave Yours Truly permission for translation of these series of postings. In case you like to check the original German version please go to http://www.lgb-much.de/20306.pdf. This article concludes the account about the early LGB product offerings.

We have compiled all things LGB that were published in the very first years (1968-1971) regarding track, electrical equipment, and accessories. We did not follow a rigid timeline but have added things published/offered in 1971 or a bit later. Nonetheless we think it very interesting to provide a broad summary.

From the start LGB focused on a high 'game-value': the un-coupler-track LGB # 1050W for manual operation, manufactured 1968. Still in the very first grey packaging.

Right image: the 3rd and 5th track from left are made aluminum tracks (recognize the slight silver coloring?), curved track on right # LGB 1500, starting in 1970. Middle: track bumper LGB # 1030 and LGB # 1008W adjustable track. Below: contact breaker track LGB # 1000UW and LGB # 1000TW isolation track.

Left image: clockwise from below left the first manual switches LGB# 1210W and 1200W. Electric un-coupler track LGB# 1055 starting in 1975. Next to it the 'permanent un-coupler' LGB# 1052 starting 1971. Middle: electric signal LGB# 5029. then a 'slim electric switch. Electric switch R1 LGB# 1205W and crossing 30 Deg LGB# 1300W.

Left: Rail Road Bridge LGB# 5060. Middle: various figurines and on right the Station lamps with plug base

Clockwise from left: "Super transformer" LGB# 5008 and LGB # 5000 transformer, below that switch board and control panel. To the right connecting parts and catenary mast LGB# 6000. Analog throttle LGB# 5010 and analog 'super throttle' LGB# 5012 with distribution boxes below. Then catenary wires in different lenghts. 
(Dear Reader: please note that the LGB# are the German numbers, US numbering system might have added 0 or 1 to turn them into 5-digit numbers)

LGB Catalog 1969 - Part II

The following is a translation of an article/internet posting by IIm-online Nachrichten(News).  H.-Jürgen Neumann, the publisher of these News, gave Yours Truly permission for translation of these series of postings. In case you like to check the original German version please go to http://www.lgb-much.de/20306.pdf. This article (series) continues the account about the early LGB catalogs.

Three new passenger cars and one new freight car entered the program. The two old-timer passenger cars (LGB# 3011 and # 3012) were color variations of passenger car # 3010 of the Salzkammergut local line; passenger car # 3040 "Mixnitz-St Erhard-Bahn) was a complete new model. Car # 3011 was colored in red and was referred to as  passenger car of the Northern German Isle Line. The # 3012 was white/blue (not blue/white- note!) (this is in reference to the Bavarian State colors of "blue & white) and depicted a "Bavarian" type. Both cars and a Stainz loco also made up the LGB Starter Set ( # 20301) which sold umpteen thousand times. Colorful- something for children...
(We are pretty sure that) with the Austrian passenger car CD 2 of the narrow gauge Mixnitz-St Erhard line LGb was already planning ahead for presenting the little matching electric loco of the same train line, which then was released in 1970.

Back then nobody shed any thoughts about the fact that a "Northern German Isle Line" was operating in conjunction with the Austrian "Salzkammergut Local Line", possibly the  (Austrian) "Pinzgauer Local Line" all behind a (South-Western German) "Upper Rhine Rail Road". What was liked was favored - by children as well as by the huge numbers of the grown-up LGB fans!

Top: passenger car LGB # 3011 red/beige
 w/ chromed steel axles, 1969
Middle: passenger car LGB # 3012 blue/beige
 type"Bavaria"
 w/ chromed steel axles, 1969
Bottom: passenger car CD 2 LGB# 3040, 1969

Top: tank car LGB# 4040 in grey
 imbued plastic, 1969
Middle: Hopper car 1200 LGB# 4041
red imbued plastic, 1969
Bottom: Hopper car 1200 LGB# 4041G
grey imbued plastic, 1969

Also very beautiful was the first 2-axle tank car R 360 of the Zillertalbahn (LGB# 4040), grey and labeled "Petroleum". It was followed by "ARAL", "SHELL", "ESSO", and "BP" one year later. It was a fluent transition from "Petroleum" to "ARAL: the grey petroleum tank car was released with additional "ARAL" stickers, then the "Petroleum" sticker was left out, then the car got a white tank first and then a blue tank. It got the labeling "ARAL" with the LGB# 4040A. Compared with its colorful 'brothers' the green BP tank car always got a bit neglected, was less popular with the customer base and was taken off the program first. Which then later on led to it becoming a highly sought after collector's item.
Another new item in 1969 was the hopper car # 4041 in red and in grey (LGB# 4041G). The December 1969 LGB Depesche issue # 4  reported:
Just in time for Christmas the LGB fleet added an especially attractive model; the 2-axle hopper car # 4041 with opening side hatches went into serial production.A really splendid model built just as strong and  solid as all LGB models, made of weather resistant plastic and highly detailed up to the  louver chains. Carriage and frame w/ planked platform are black while the (container) structure is red. Both platform and container are labeled in white according to the archetype. 
The big container body can easily carry one liter ( a quart) of bulk cargo (sand,gravel etc) Empty the container on both sides via slant chutes manually operated by rotary slides.
We're locating the Original archetype of this LGB hopper car at the OEG (Upper Rhine Railroad) car # 1200. The Original car was built by RailWay Car Maker H Fuchs, Heidelberg, Germany in 1925 and carries 7 cubic meter load at 10,500 kg capacity. The rolled out accessory was an uncoupling track # 1050W. Even though still manually operated it already served as a big help in uncoupling the LGB cars. By pushing the side button the uncoupling piece lifts inbetween the tracks and thus separates the  couplers of the rolling cars above.
Also very practical was a small bridge of 45 cm(18 inches) in length built like an iron truss(LGB# 5060). This is still offered by LGB as of today (2006) and probably  utilized many a thousand times. A small distributor plate (LGB # 5070) could be used to connect station lamps electrically or be utilized as a coupler between two extension cables. Some-when  sometime later it fell victim to advancing LGB technology.....++++++++++++++++++to be continued............

LGB Catalog 1969

The following is a translation of an article/internet posting by IIm-online Nachrichten(News).  H.-Jürgen Neumann, the publisher of these News, gave Yours Truly permission for translation of these series of postings. In case you like to check the original German version please go to http://www.lgb-much.de/20306.pdf. This article (series) continues the account about the early LGB catalogs.

LGB News of 1969 - 2 new locos and 6 cars expand the program

It was a pretty "Oldtimer", the steam streetcar # 102 from 1891 operated by the 'OEG' , Oberrheinische Eisenbahn-Gesellschaft (Upper Rhine Train Corporation); coined the 'Feuriger Elias'  (Fiery Eli) in vernacular term.
The back then "modern times" entered LGB by way of the narrow gauge  Diesel loco "Schöma - CFL 150" - The Original was operated in manufacturing sites and for passenger trains in South America. At LGB she can operate  passenger trains and freight trains, easily, since Diesel locos operate on narrow gauge as well.
Worth mentioning is also that (LGB) included the steam engine "2010D" into their program - "D" for 'Dampf' (German for steam). A small metal tube in the smoke stack filled half way with Seuthe smoke fluid was the secret to this loco steaming like the Original and many a loco- generations afterwards. LGB-Depesche magazine #2 from July 1969 presents the Fiery Eli as follows:
"Countless train fans and the people in the Mannheim-Heidelberg-Weinheim triangle (a southwestern German stronghold of industry) are familiar with the FieryEli. The big archetype operated on the OED trainlines for five decades and is well known for his unusual appearance as a Diesel loco.

Left: Tramway loco 'Fiery Eli' "OEG" (LGB # 2050) this is the 1st version with black chassis and Heuler-motor.
Right: Diesel loco 'Schöma CFL 150' (LGB # 2060H); chassis red, housing in yellow imbued plastic, w/horn triggered by trigger pin. Battery. Model Year 1971

Left: Diesel loco 'Schöma CFL 150' (LGB # 2060), chassis gray, housing red imbued plastic, Model Year 1970.

Right:Diesel loco 'Schöma CFL 150' (LGB # 2060G), chassis red, housing green imbued plastic,

Model Year 1969

"The immediate archetype is the OEG-loco # 102. It is a street car steam loco with wheel arrangement B, built in Kassel by Henschel & Son in 1891. The OEG # 102 had 6 siblings with this type of construction; they were scrapped already in the early 1950's. Until that time they operated faithfully on the OEG lines.
The OEG-tramway loco No 102, vernacular term 'Fiery Eli', has Meter-gauge, a perfect match for LGB gauge 45mm (= one meter in 1:22,5 scale). Her net weight is 11.0 tons and her gross weight is up to 16.4 tons. She can take 1.2  cubic meter water and 0.6 cubic meter coal, top speed is 30 km/h (or 19 mph). The otherwise typical appearance of a Diesel loco completely vanished under the wrap-around cover panel and the end-to-end roof; only the smoke stag peaks out of the roof. The boiler sits in the middle of the loco and furnace is operated from the left side. Coal is stored behind the boiler and the water tanks are behind the coal storage and on both sides up front. The LGB loco (2050) model displays this very well. Note that the 'Fiery Eli' is still operating today (1970) in the Edingen depot of OEG , sometimes for special excursions with oldtimer cars. OEG donated her to the German Society for Railroad History.++++++++++++++++++++++to be continued.......... 

LGB History -1968 and 1969 -- Part III

The following is a translation of an article/internet posting by IIm-online Nachrichten(News).  H.-Jürgen Neumann, the publisher of these News, gave Yours Truly permission for translation of these series of postings. In case you like to check the original German version please go to http://www.lgb-much.de/20306.pdf. This article (series) is about the first ever LGB catalog published in 1968 and the LGB activities until 1969.

Regarding starter sets there was one passenger train starter set and one freight train starter set . The passenger train set (LGB # 20301) consisted of a Stainz loco # 2020, one passenger car # 3000, one passenger car # 3010, 12 curved aluminum tracks, 1 connector cable # 5016, 4 figurines and track clamps # 1150. (Original sales price was DEM 198.00 in 1968 or roughly US$ 340.00 in today's money)
The slightly lower prices freight train package (LGB # 20401) consisted of a LGB loco # 4 (LGB 2040) one   boxcar  in brown (LGB #4030) and one 'gondola' in green (LGB# 4020), 12 curved aluminum tracks, 1 connector cable # 5016, 4 figurines and track clamps  (Original price was DEM 176.00 in 1968 or roughly US$ 300.00 in today's money).

LGB 20401 Starter set,
 first edition from 1968.
In 1970 LGB already switched
 to a more colorful packaging

Now, of course, you'd need power to operate the trains. Since LGB (trains) were always meant to be operated outside as well the transformer and the control unit had to be separated by (German) law. So, while the transformer (LGB # 5000) was operated 'under the roof' the controller displaying max 14 Volts could be operated outdoors. It came in the shape of (small) switch tower first in brown, later in green. And the connecting cable between transformer and controller came as a 5-yard-long cable (# 5015). There also  was a 1-yard long connector cable (# 5016), connecting controller and track and a lighting (set) for the two coaches (LGB# 3030). The first brochure, by the way, was still marketing that the controller could be hooked up to the car battery. Though we couldn't find this hint in later publishings. Maybe too many cars broke down......somewhere outside the cities where the clubs met.........with dead batteries galore.....

The figurines were sold as a set as well (LGB# 5040). Spare parts offered were a loco motor (LGB# 2100) and 4 spare carbon brushes (LGB 2110).

At last the second most important thing: the Tracks! To keep costs low in the beginning LGB also offered aluminum tracks. The LGB brochure elaborates: "LGB track # 1000, 1060 and 1100 are made of specialty-hardened-aluminum-alloy and come chrome plated. The track connectors are made out of stainless chrome-nickel steel (V2a) and track beds are made out of VESTOLEN (a patented plastic with very high thermal qualities, very high UV resistance, and extremely durable), They (the aluminum tracks) are meant for indoor layouts and should not be operated outdoors on a regular base. Outdoor use should be limited to temps above 41 degree F. For permanent outdoor operation use track material 1000W-1210W brass solid profile tracks.
Outdoor Layouts: track material 1000W-1210W in brass solid profile is completely weather proof (also in freezing conditions) and best suited for all outdoor and indoor layouts."
By the way, the 60cm (=2 ft long) track piece # 1060 was not available in aluminum. There are some 1500'er tracks which came nickel-plated and were made later on as a test series but never went into full production; therefore they were never sold through stores or dealers. But they made it into the 2006 catalog as a new item.

The very first LGB boxes: left is the first ever  box type, greyish with handwritten item no. Then the yellow boxes were used for some years until they were replaced by the red boxes (around 1978/79)

So, for a short time they offered both track types for # 1000 straight 30cm (1 ft) and # 1100 curved 30 degree. A manually operated switch for right (#1200W) and for left (1210W) turn was announced but not delivered until 1969. The same goes for the uncoupling track (# 1050W) W always means 'weather proof'. And lastly, there was a buffer stop (LGB # 1030) and the track clamps (1150).

LGB History -1968 and 1969 -- Part II

The following is a translation of an article/internet posting by IIm-online Nachrichten(News).  H.-Jürgen Neumann, the publisher of these News, gave Yours Truly permission for translation of these series of postings. In case you like to check the original German version please go to http://www.lgb-much.de/20306.pdf.

.....the axle bearings need a drop of oil once in a very long while. We can operate our LGB locos outdoors any time of the year - rain and snow doesn't harm them. We have to take them in overnight, though.
The chassis of the small loco (Stainz) was available as a spare part as well. We show you this now very rare part in the photo below The Heuler - motor alignment is clearly visible.

The first LGB product line displays three coaches and three freight cars in addition to the three small locos.
The coaches are the brown Bci 113 of the Lower Austrian Railway (LGB # 3000) and the green A 48 of the Salzkammergut local line (LGB # 3010). While the brown one displays timber plank a clerestory is the focal point of the LGB # 3010.

clockwise from top: LGB 3000, made 1968. LGB 3010, made 1968. LGB 3020, made 1968. LGB 3019, made 1969. LGB 3020, made 1969.

From top: LGB 4000, LGB 4001, LGB 4010,
 LGB 4011, LGB 4020, LGB 4021 - all made in 1968

Offered also is a baggage car LGB # 3020 as the green Pw 274 of the Pinzgau local line. As a 'workaround' until production was finalized on this item, LGB offered a compact freight car in green, LGB# 4030 that was sold as a baggage car. A sibling car was the LGB 3019, manufactured from 1969 on sporting a three-center curve roof following the Zillertal line archetype.
Regarding freight cars the product line included the platform car Prd 3351 of the Salzkammergut local line (LGB 4000, in black) and a color variation LGB 4001 in gray. Then they had the flat car (or gondola) Nwr 4101 of the Salzkammergut local line (LGB# 4010, brown) and the LGB 4011, the green sibling car. Sporting another a high toy value : the open freight car Ow 368 of the Härtsfeldbahn, LGB 4020,brown; and the LGB # 4021 in green.
Unlike these days the cars didn't display signage according to their archetypes. The coaches had the LGB logo on the side - LGB still needed to put its name on the map!
Then came the (first) boxcar the G 40 of the Salzkammergut local line (LGB 4030, brown) and the Gmag 501 of the Zillertal line in white for magnesium transports (LGB# 4031). Signage on the doors differed - Magnesia or Magnesium. The white box (car), by the way, easily turned yellow  under UV/ sun light influence and became unsightly. The one shown in the photo lived all its life in the LGB box and is still in "virgin" shape, innocent white.
The petrol tank car shown in the very first catalog wasn't delivered until 1969.

++++++++++++++++++ to be continued................................

LGB History - 1968 and 1969

The following is a translation of an article/internet posting by IIm-online Nachrichten(News).  H.-Jürgen Neumann, the publisher of these News, gave Yours Truly permission for translation of these series of postings. In case you like to check the original German version please go to http://www.lgb-much.de/20306.pdf.

"We never saw that before!" -- The Beginnings of the Lehmann Big Train in 1968

All started with the Stainz! To be exact there were 3 versions available in the beginning, in 1968. The "1", following the archetype 'Salzkammergut Lokalbahn' (LGB # 2010), the "2" (LGB # 2020) with the by now well known name "Stainz" of the 'Steiermärkischen Landesbahnen StLB (Styria State Rail, Austria) and then the "4" (LGB # 2040) which was offered as the Industrial loco of the Mining Works Siegerland,Germany. All started having a housing made from hard plastics in either black or imbued in color. originally the "1" had a green housing, the "2" a brown one and the "4" always had a black engineer housing. The respective numbering and the "LGB" on the sides or their design  were not only golden colored but were made from leaf gold being steamed onto the loco. For low-priced Starter Sets slimmed-down versions were already available; the loco had no real gold signage, no loco engineer and no lighting.

Left: LGB 2010, the No "1" w/boiler and instruments in black, green driver's cab,chassis in red, power pickup by Schnabel System (Heuler motor), Made in 1968. Right: No "4", LGB # 2040, boiler and instruments in black, driver's cab in black, chassis red power pickup by Schnabel System (Heuler motor), Made in 1968

Contrary to their sisters the "2", that is the "Stainz", came with a 'dumpling'-smoker. In the first edition of the LGB Depesche  (German version of the LGB Telegram) she was described  as follows:
"The LGB loco presented here has her great archetype in the Steiermärkische Landesbahn". She was built in 1892 as loco No 2 for the narrow gauge track Peding-Stainz and was delivered by Krauss-Linz with the manufacturer's no. 2774. It is a steam loco type Bn2t, axle series B. She can take 1.15 qbm water and 0.7 qbm coal. She weighs 12 tons. This small tender loco reaches a speed of 25km/hr (=15.9 mph). Her outstanding feature is the drey shaped funnel. The amiable LGB model of this small steam loco has been replicated with extraordinary many details. The large scale delivers the incentive here. Boiler, instruments and  driver's cab are made of  unbreakable plastic. Take this loco into your hands without fear, nothing will break off. All metal parts of the loco are  nickel-plated. 

LGB # 2020, the No"2". Characteristic funnel,boiler and instruments black, brown driver's cab, chassis in red, power pickup by Schnabel System (Heuler motor), Made in 1968

"The two axles are driven by an exchangeable DC motor with 14 Volts, with a completely maintenance free, capsuled gear drive. The four driving wheels are made of brass (turned) and hard chrome plated. Push rods and accurately replicated Stephenson-control are moving in sync.
Power pickup for the motor is carried out by the four wheels and fitted carbon brushes (Schnabel system). Two small loco lights, in front of the funnel and in the rear of the driver's cab glow correspondent  to the driving direction.
It is fail-safe to take the loco apart. After loosen some screws we can take the frame and power unit off the chassis. Now the carbon brushes and the motor can be exchanged easily. LGB locos require little maintenance. We just have to make sure to keep the tread area and the inner surface of the wheels clean and residue-free. ( Do not use sandpaper for this but a few drops of  lighter gas) "-Yours Truly advises : Do Not try this at home - Please let the professionals like Klaus give proper advice. Note that this description dates from 1968 where safety rules were pretty archaic... For Original Old Stainz locos to purchase or repair needs call Klaus at 770-886-6670
+++++++++++++++to be continued..............................................

LGB at the Museum - how it all started

The following is a translation of  an article in the "Glockenreiter" (bell-rider), the official magazine of the Toy Museum Nuremberg/Germany. Klaus Baumann was named the curator and chief-fund raiser for the booster-club of the Museum and was instrumental in bringing the Lehmann collection to the Museum, thus saving and warranting a collection of worldwide significance.

E.P.Lehmann Toys
This unrivaled Lehmann Collection was saved by the booster-club of the Museum and will stay permanently with this Museum. A collection for which the Toy Museum in Nuremberg is envied worldwide.

Ikarus air plane EPL 653, 1919-1939

Since 2002 the Toy Museum displays a completely newly designed department: the world's most significant collection of Lehmann Tin Toys is shown here on roughly 1200 sqft displaying about 350 pieces. It is a permanent loan collection donated by Wolfgang, Rolf, and Johannes Richter. The company also donated a significant sum to help setup this department.

Travelling Uncle, 1893 - 1939. In Europe auction sites display similar items  for US$ 1,200 to  US$ 1,600.00

E.P.Lehmann is one of the really important names in toy history. In 1881 Ernst Paul Lehmann established the company in Brandenburg on the Havel (now a part of East Berlin ) and achieved international stardom quite quickly with their originally designed mechanical toys.

Mandarin palanquin, 1905-1939. Rare objects have been sold in Europe for up to US$ 8,000.00

Cars, trucks, air ships and an abundance of funny, moving animal and human figurines elated children for decades. Lehmann Grossbahn (LGB) located in Nuremberg from 1950 to 2006 was well known for their Big Train(s).
For the first time a whole room is dedicated by the museum for just one single company. The diversified permanent exhibition is among the most beloved departments within the Toy Museum. Adjacent to a panorama of the eventful history of the Ernst-Paul-Lehmann company you'll find a long row of glass cabinets displaying almost everything ever manufactured by Lehmann and in today's world highly sought after by collectors.

climbing monkeys - If made before 1900 thiese pieces have  been auctioned off by Sotheby's for up to US 15,000.00

A painted cloth unfolds a collage of the company's and toy history. A replica of Europe's first traffic light tower is a reminder of the 1920's Berlin - offered as a 'piggy-bank' by Lehmann in the 1920's. On a monitor visitors can view the most beautiful Lehmann (tin) toys in motion . A 2-storied glass cabinet displays LGB trains which can be operated by visitors
by pushing a button; the trains drive through a colorful fantasy world circling the globe symbolically.
When the company went into bankruptcy in 2006 the permanent loan exhibit was part of the court secured assets and their sale was lurking.
It was due to the intense and enduring efforts of Klaus Baumann and inclined friends who established the booster-club for the Museum to save this collection forever for the Museum. Today Klaus Baumann spends a serious amount of his time supporting the booster club and the Museum. His connections secure important donations to the Museum and the Lehmann collection guaranteeing the continuance of this significant exhibition.

Klaus Baumann, 2nd from left, surrounded by his Museum friends

LGB in the USA -- 1985 -- Part 3

The following is a translation from "Spur II Nachrichten" ( 'Gauge 2 News) magazine No 2 December 1985. The magazine was published in Germany - in German only- from 1985 to 2005 by H-Jürgen Neumann .You have met Mr. Neumann through our previous articles. H.-Jürgen Neumann was the founder of one of the biggest and later the most influential LGB Club in Germany ;" Club der LGB Freunde Rhein/Sieg" ( LGB Club LGB Friends Rhein-Sieg). Mr. Neumann was contacted by Yours Truly in February 2013. He is doing very well and was truly happy to be contacted about LGB matters, again. Mr. H-Jürgen Neumann gave us permission to translate all previous articles from his magazines as well as those from his web site LGB Much. So come and join us through a ride through history, the LGB history from 1968 to 2005.Part 3 concludes this article by Dr. Baltzer about the very beginnings of LGB in the USA, quite some time before LGBoA was established.

In 1984 the US Dollar climbed to DEM 3.40 (it wobbles around Euro 1,30 for the last 2 years with comparable buying power ) which brought a solid price-reduction to the market situation for LGB products sold in USA; inspired seemingly by a positive economic background of the Reagan administration the US LGB fans got increasingly into shopping mood. LGB Scale was gaining so much ground that even the publisher of the Model Rail Roader believed he had to jump on that LGB train: Russ Larson condescended an editorial in the February 1984 issue of the MRR - " At The Throttle" -- all the while making it quite clear that while he would love to see articles coming in about G-Scale but regarding the minority role of it he wouldn't be able to publish that many articles.
The Big Train Operator Newsletter mirrored the increasing variety of G-Scale material. The published photos displayed increasingly Kalamazoo and real live-steam locos adjacent to LGB cars.
In 1983 The LGB Club due to changing into a non-profit chapter had to review and change their club by-laws. Triggered by the new members they wanted to change the club name to better represent other model train groups  (like 1-Gauge) . Behind the scenes Kalamazoo seemed to have engaged heavily into such a name change to do away with the ad-strong name of LGB - a German based company at that! That shipwrecked due to the club's 'Old-Timers'  leaving the official name at LGB Model Railroad Club.
The majority decision at the annual Club-Member Convention in Strassburg, PA left the Denver LGB-Club dissatisfied; 15 Denver club members then established the "Garden Railway Society of Denver", a new club. They didn't want to be confined to LGB alone but wanted to take on other big train fans. One of the main actors in this split-off was Marc Horowitz the current publisher of the "Garden Railways Magazine" and the "Sidestreet Banner". The (Denver) Garden Railway Society does a lot of public awareness work and is especially active in the design of transportable modules in G-Scale, corner modules (4 x 4 feet), made in team work and remain club property while straight modules ( 2 x 5 feet) by single members can be integrated in any order. The outer dimensions of the modules have been chosen so that they will fit into any regular car.
Other US magazines that might be of interest for LGB fans or Gauge1 friends:
The Gauge One Journal , The Sidestreet Banner, The Narrow Gauge Digest, Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazette.
The biggest challenge for these small magazines - issued quarterly and coming into existence due to the growing G-Scale market- is the small number of articles they receive. Mr. Daniel Henon, the publisher of the Gauge One Journal told me that especially Russ Larson, the publisher of the Model Rail Roader is pursuing a ruthless policy in competing for articles and ads. Articles offered to MRR are bought and paid for immediately and then 'frozen'. This way many very interesting articles 'simmer' in immense editorial stocks, many only for few groups like the LGB'ers, are never published and thus elude the MRR-competition in their fight for more ad sales. As a model train fan one can only regret those 'rambunctious' business methods. It is just the small magazine like BTO-Newsletter or the Gauge One Journal which publish very interesting articles  and design tips for do-it-yourself'ers. They deserve our support.
And as the new LGB catalog with its many new US items shows the 'ready-to-play' products by Lehmann are going to enjoy us and our American LGB friends for a long time to come. We as citizens of the "LGB World" thank you, "Lehmänner" !(politely poking fun at the plural of the name Lehmann in German)
Addresses:

H-J.Neumann: 3rd from left, Dr. Baltzer: 3rd from right, visiting the LGB factory in  October 1985

LGB-Model Railroad Club
Secretary-Treasurer
PO BOX 7282
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
USA
President: Ralph Wilcox ( succeding Al Lentz who retired following heart surgery)
Annual membership fee: US$ 12.00
Friedrich Balzer / LGB (USA) Member No 489
(Dear blog Reader: please remember that this article dates from 1985!! The above listed address is NOT for current use but was part of the translated article )

LGB in the USA -- 1985 --Part 2

The following is a translation from "Spur II Nachrichten" ( 'Gauge 2 News) magazine No 2 December 1985. The magazine was published in Germany - in German only- from 1985 to 2005 by H-Jürgen Neumann .You have met Mr. Neumann through our previous articles. H.-Jürgen Neumann was the founder of one of the biggest and later the most influential LGB Club in Germany ;" Club der LGB Freunde Rhein/Sieg" ( LGB Club LGB Friends Rhein-Sieg). Mr. Neumann was contacted by Yours Truly in February 2013. He is doing very well and was truly happy to be contacted about LGB matters, again. Mr. H-Jürgen Neumann gave us permission to translate all previous articles from his magazines as well as those from his web site LGB Much. So come and join us through a ride through history, the LGB history from 1968 to 2005.This is part 2 of an article about the very beginnings of LGB in the USA, quite some time before LGBoA was established.

(This change in the Club structure) brought real collector-experts to the BTO newsletter generating for the first time from within the club membership. They completely dwarfed all the expertise I had so far with their detailed knowledge about single variations and material- and color-combinations of locos and cars. Joe Hyvla's little brochure, out-of-stock by now, for US$ 10.00 leaves behind clearly and decidedly the first German collectors catalogue by Christmann in regard to describing each and every single model version. Apparently there were a whole slew of  loco and car modifications (made) that were never listed in any (LGB) catalogue. There is -currently- a rumor going that two American LGB fans are working on a downright encyclopedia for LGB stock transcending far beyond Joe Hyvla's work. (Dr.Balzer - you guessed it  is talking about the book by John R Ottley and Joe Hyvla "Greenbergs Guide to LGB Trains" from 1989, which is out of print, no longer available, and considered a historic artefact today).

This work is supposed to include absolutely all known and until now unknown model details regarding color and signage and shall have colored photos. (Remember to print precision colored images in a book back in 1985 was considered very complicated and expensive). 

They also had to implement the influence of the geographical spread of the LGB friends ranging from the New England States in the East to sunny California in the West. The solution was establishing two club regions: the East and the West Region each managed by a "Vice-President" and a "Director". Regarding the fact that 'In the Land of LGB' the sun never sets they allocated the rest of the world as well: Australia, Pacific and SouthAmerica were managed by the California management named "West Directorate"; us East Coast dwellers on the Atlantic border found ourselves to be in a group with Africa and (all) US States east of a line of Winnipeg (Manitoba) - Kansas City-Houston (Texas). In the meantime this 'Carolingian Allocation' has been modified by a Mid Western Region including the eastern and western States bordering the rivers Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio. It is pretty clear that the positive development of the US LGB Clubs is based upon the business success of Lehmann Garten Bahn (Lehmann Garden Train). The slowly increasing US$ Dollar exchange rate quickened exports of the now price-reduced LGB items considerably. It was also foreseeable that you had to expect upcoming competition; the G-Scale sector showed the highest growth rates in the model train market. This competitor arrived in the form of Kalamazoo Toy Train Works in 1981; They launched a starter set consisting of a US loco Type Reno 4-4-0 wood-fired, a coach and a "combine"-car (named Mountain-Central R.R.). The cars had four axles.
The Kalamazoo scale is Gauge One. She can be coupled with LGB material. The quality of the new LGB competition couldn't match LGB not in regard to drag force nor regarding technical detail: safe coupling didn't work all the time, coupling on the smallest curve radius was purely a matter of luck and the double-axle car trucks did not always match with the connecting truck mounts. It wasn't until ownership changed in 1983 and  a new, more effective management improved Kalamazoo's quality on the outside and the functioning. The spare parts supply left no wishes unfulfilled either. The loco and cars product line increased color-wise as well as in car types.
Originally this G-Scale market was dominated by LGB. Märklin's Gauge 1 obviously couldn't pack any public relevance. Now small 'work-out-of-my-garage'- manufacturers started to accumulate which mostly offered parts like trucks etc. Japan's Aster Live Steam model in Gauge 1 entered the market welcomed and 'appropriated' by the "steam-freaks" who were willing to shell out the required cash for those super-brass-models.+++++++++++++++++++++to be continued++++++++++++++++++++++