LGB Alco Diesel White Pass --- Part 2

The White Pass and Yukon Alco Diesel was the first American Diesel engine for LGB and only the second American loco (after the Mogul) to be offered. First presented (as hand model?) in the New Item brochure of 1989 and then again in the 1990 catalog it entered the market via dealer stores more towards 1991.

LGB 2055 - Courtesy of Only Train

The first 2055 featured 2 Buehler motors, loco lights, signal lights and lighted loco number plates as well as a cow catcher/rail sweeper. The introductory price was around US$ 450.00
After a long introduction without real merchandise to show in dealer stores LGB upped the ante by offering three limited edition cars along with the White Pass engine introduction in their 1990/91 brochure. The offer was made to US customers only: The LGB # 4065 W 03:

LGB 4065 W 03 - Courtesy of Only Trains

This White Pass caboose had a limited edition volume of 2,800 and was priced at around US$ 100.00

LGB 4076 W 02 -- Courtesy of Worthpoint

This black/red self unloader with a 4 axle truck was a limited edition as well at 3,000 and also limited to the American customer. And the 3rd car on offer with the new LGB 2055 engine was the LGB 4080 W 01

LGB 4080 W01-- Courtesy of Worthpoint

Again, this was also a limited edition of 3,000 and sold at about US$ 75.00 in 1990. All 3 cars were sold separately. The limited series for American customers only was soon discovered by German die-hard LGB fans. The club magazines by German LGB clubs (i.e. NOT the  LGB owned club magazine "Telegram") were humming with news about the new LGB 2055 engine and these new freight cars. 'Re-import' was the name most often used by German LGB fans with a knack for US wares. Savings on the very high German VAT (value-added- tax) would level the costs for shipping. There was a whole bunch of US LGB dealers in and around Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey who benefited from that interest.

The 2055 eventually got sound and was launched in 1993 as the LGB 2155 (LGB 21552 since late 1993)

LGB 2155/21552 - Courtesy of LGB-bibliothek.info

This was the first digital sound in ANY LGB engine. Klaus himself did the sound recordings. He was travelling to Alaska............... Let's start at the beginning of this truly amazing LGB story in part 3 of this blog................+++++++++++++++++++to be continued.........