After my last blog about the Original LGB turntable I received some very nice emails from one of the blog followers that he allowed me to publish here. He pointed out that in addition to the original LGB turntable with 100 pieces made there are more in use today like: (some editing for concentrating on the subject)
"...Pola made their G 1946 turntable (I think in 1996) that, if my memory serves me right, has "LGB" molded into the underside. It is not visible from the top so I cannot confirm this.
My memory has gotten pretty bad but as I recall I talked to someone at LGB of America at the time and I was told that Pola molded "LGB" into the turntable without authorization from LGB and Pola was told to stop so marking their turntables.
I can see how others might also be confused and think their Pola turntables might be "LGB turntables." ---He continues.....I looked at the top of the turntable and did not see any markings but I do still have the (black) box it came in which is marked: Exclusiv Modell - 2,900 Exemplare weltweit - Numerierte und begrenzte Auflage
I don't understand German but I used the internet which translated it to: Exclusively model- 2.900 copies world-wide -Numbered and limited Edition. I have no idea how many might have the "LGB" markings on the underside.--He continues further...
I have always thought that LGB and Pola were made for each other. The turntable box is marked 1:22.5 scale and the Pola items always seem to perfectly compliment LGB products.
Unfortunately I think the turntable was one of Pola's not very well designed products as I gave up years ago trying to get it to work with its electric motor. Even manually rotating the turntable is problematic but it really does look great and fits very nicely with their Shunting (train) Shed. Fortunately I don't use it often and it adds greatly to the visual appearance of that part of the layout.
...and he found this....
While sorting through some old LGB Telegram issues I ran across the very 1st issue and on page 12 I found instructions on how to make "An American Turntable."
Of course this is not the LGB turntable Klaus is talking about but the instructions are copyrighted by E. P. Lehmann. That in itself is interesting in that this issue of the Telegram was published by E. P. Lehmann while newer issues were published by Buffington Publishing ."
This kind blog-follower asked not to be named. If you'd like to 'chat' about this issue, please email to klaus@traincraftbyklaus.com and Yours truly will forward your email.
On other news: our webpage has come to new life and is worked on now on an almost daily base. We invite you to follow and read at www.traincraftbyklaus.com
The next blog will continue reporting from the Toy Fair which closed its doors on Feb 6.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
LGB News from the Toy Fair
Here is the link to view the newest LGB catalog 2012
www.lgb.com
then go and click on "Neuheiten 2012" and then you should be able to download the new catalog.
The new catalog is in German and English. Most of the locos and trains they show are models you are more or less already familiar with. I still think they have done a nice job. There is a "new" Mikado in the catalog as well as a "new" Porter. However, none of these new locos are available right now. Marklin was pretty reserved when our "man at the Fair" asked when he could buy and take home one of the new engines. We will keep you updated. Prices seem to go up for the new engines and that combined with the current Euro/US$ exchange rate will make them sort of expensive again here for us in the US.
Last time I promised you a story about the turntable. Doing research for that story I learned that only about 100 turntables were made by LGB - all of them literally by hand by an artisan craftsman by the name of Herr Diller at the LGB factory in 1979. The LGB # was LGB 1400. If you know somebody who has an old LGB turntable, please let them know that these turntables are very valuable, no matter what condition they are in. Here's a comparison: a do-it-yourself turntable set for 0-scale goes for Euro 700.00 or roughly US$ 950.00. And a very nice 0-scale turntable ready-to-use goes for Euro 1,700.00 or US$ 2.200.00. That brings the value of an LGB turntable easily to US$ 1,500.00 even though it is operated manually. Klaus has motorized two turntables in the past with great success. If you have an LGB turntable and want to clean it- please be very careful and do not use harsh household cleaners. Specifically do NOT USE household glue on it to "repair" something. That for sure destroys a great part of its value. Better, you contact Klaus for advise.
On other news, we are following the development of DCC by I-Phone/ I-Pad and will keep you updated.
Yours truly also wants to point out that all the new decoders that your Famous Klaus is going to utilize and offer for sale are ALL mix-and-match"able" with your existing decoders that are to NMRA standard like NCE, Phoenix, Lenz, Massoth or others.
One thing you will see me write more about in the future: If you own LGB locos that are made before 1999, list their numbers somewhere, take a photo, store them on a CD and make sure they are covered by your household insurance. If you need a certificate re their value, you may contact us- we are certified to do that.
www.lgb.com
then go and click on "Neuheiten 2012" and then you should be able to download the new catalog.
The new catalog is in German and English. Most of the locos and trains they show are models you are more or less already familiar with. I still think they have done a nice job. There is a "new" Mikado in the catalog as well as a "new" Porter. However, none of these new locos are available right now. Marklin was pretty reserved when our "man at the Fair" asked when he could buy and take home one of the new engines. We will keep you updated. Prices seem to go up for the new engines and that combined with the current Euro/US$ exchange rate will make them sort of expensive again here for us in the US.
Last time I promised you a story about the turntable. Doing research for that story I learned that only about 100 turntables were made by LGB - all of them literally by hand by an artisan craftsman by the name of Herr Diller at the LGB factory in 1979. The LGB # was LGB 1400. If you know somebody who has an old LGB turntable, please let them know that these turntables are very valuable, no matter what condition they are in. Here's a comparison: a do-it-yourself turntable set for 0-scale goes for Euro 700.00 or roughly US$ 950.00. And a very nice 0-scale turntable ready-to-use goes for Euro 1,700.00 or US$ 2.200.00. That brings the value of an LGB turntable easily to US$ 1,500.00 even though it is operated manually. Klaus has motorized two turntables in the past with great success. If you have an LGB turntable and want to clean it- please be very careful and do not use harsh household cleaners. Specifically do NOT USE household glue on it to "repair" something. That for sure destroys a great part of its value. Better, you contact Klaus for advise.
On other news, we are following the development of DCC by I-Phone/ I-Pad and will keep you updated.
Yours truly also wants to point out that all the new decoders that your Famous Klaus is going to utilize and offer for sale are ALL mix-and-match"able" with your existing decoders that are to NMRA standard like NCE, Phoenix, Lenz, Massoth or others.
One thing you will see me write more about in the future: If you own LGB locos that are made before 1999, list their numbers somewhere, take a photo, store them on a CD and make sure they are covered by your household insurance. If you need a certificate re their value, you may contact us- we are certified to do that.
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