LGB AMTRAK Genesis - #'s 20490, 21490 and 22490

 After the toy train muddle LGB eventually got back to honoring a real American engine, the Diesel- electric Genesis. Modeled on the P42DC the first LGB model  # 20490 came out in 2005.

LGB # 20490 - Courtesy of Only Trains

The 20490 came in two versions: the 20490 w/No. "60" and No. "76" both with a DCC interface for future digital decoder installation. None sported sound. Today (2020) technology provides easier solutions for both engine types weather sound and/or digital operation is desired. Price was around US$ 700.00. The livery sported the Phase III Heritage livery for Amtrak's 40th Anniversary of the (original) No. 822 Genesis which operated on the Shore East Line by 2005 (similar see below).

Original AMTRAK Genesis
 Courtesy of Wikipedia.org

The LGB 20490 was advertised in the LGBoA American LGB catalog only. 

Since LGB already had made the molds another Genesis type was offered in 2005/6, the LGB 22490, advertised in the LGB "Specials Summer 2005/6" and half a year later also in the main LGB catalog 2006:

LGB 22490 -Courtesy of Only Trains

This engine featured just the very same as the #20490, and also came in two versions (LGB # 22490-205) and LGB# 22490-174, both with DCC interface. Price was a bit higher, around $ 800.00 - that's a fine inflation rate.... and due to the fact that LGB was on its last breath...

The LGB 22490 is modeled  on the original engine :

AMTRAK ACELA, a P42DC Genesis, here in 2007
Courtesy of wikipedia.org

AMTRAK introduced the ACELA high speed train sets in 2000 and used this livery on most of its trains in this Phase V livery.

And before the bitter end (Fall of 2006) a third Genesis livery made it into the LGB flock, the LGB 21490:

LGB 21490 - Courtesy of Only Trains

Again featuring two versions LGB# 21490-824 and LGB# 21490-96 and again both with DCC interface. Advertised in the same LGB Special 2005 and main catalog 2006, but 'manufactured' a tad later than # 22490. 

The LGB 21490 is modeled on this archetype:

Genesis P42DC - Courtsey of wikipedia.org

(Quote):"Beginning in 1993, (AMTRAK livery) Phase IV was introduced as a striking departure from the traditional red, white, and blue style seen previously. Brought into service with the delivery of the newer Superliner II cars, Phase IV has two thin red stripes and a thick dark blue stripes. In 1997, Amtrak extended the scheme to locomotives, initially GE P42DC diesel locomotives on Northeast Corridor services.(see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amtrak_paint_schemes#Phase_III).

All three LGB engine types come on to the market still, some with DCC decoders, some with sound. Prices didn't hold steady and range more in the US$ 500.00 for analog models but higher for DCC+Sound depending on the quality of the sound decoder.

LGB AMTRAK Genesis - Part 2

 In the very early 1990's AMTRAK started a trial of high speed trains with a number of partners. One of them was the German ICE train, modified to American/Amtrak track. The pilot track was the NEC (Northeast Corridor) between Washington and New Haven.

The Amtrak ICE train on the NEC
Courtesy of Amtrak.com

This train served as the archetype for the LGB/LGBoA model # 91950 which was first advertised in the 1996 Christmas Flyer for USA. This was a bit strange since by then Amtrak had decided against the German ICE train and in addition had also already focused on developing the new long-haul diesel-electric engines for the Genesis. This might explain why advertising for the Amtrak ICE train was less than lethargic. It was also treated as a toy train and sold in a set whilst simultaneously LGBoA offered a middle car, LGB 91953, to extend the set.

LGB 91950 - Courtesy of Only Trains

LGB 91953 - Courtesy of Only Trains

Some internet research revealed that in later years this set hit the second hand market most often ripped apart: only one loco, often two "locos" in Janus-style (remember: only one loco had a motor, the other 'loco' was actually a 'car'), less often the complete set, even rarer the complete set with additional car. Price in 1995/6 was somewhere in the US$ 200.00 category for the set and about US$ 90.00 for the additional car. Volume might have been seriously above 3000.

LGBoA had more than some trouble selling this train(set). It wasn't really advertised properly and  the main focus group (children? then price too high or LGB fan - then product not sophisticated enough) was never defined. Now what? The solution would cost more money and sell even less. By 2000 somehow Warner Bros got into the picture and gave LGB(oA?) the license for the Superman - Decor and thus was born the  LGB 92950:

LGB 92950 - Courtesy of Only Trains

Allegedly a limited series of 1500, the true volume might have been closer to 2000 or even higher. Maybe not printed yet but with a buffer for more if they would sell.......at a price of more than US$ 350.00. Yeah... right.

So why are we talking about this AMTRAK/fantasy/ICE train at all? Well AMTRAK did try to find a passenger engine to modernize its fleet and the ICE was one engine tested. AMTRAK is an important American railroad line and their locomotives and rolling stock have more than once excited the US-LGB fan. And LGB did once again prove that it is not enough to make fine model trains but one also needs a bit of understanding why and why when.....locomotives where made and made into a success.

Something neither Tony Castellano nor Rolf Richter knew anything about...

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

LGB AMTRAK Genesis

LGB came to the Genesis type loco late...in their life. It wasn't until 2005 that LGB advertised  the Genesis. While the similar ICE train was already an LGB fixture the AMTRAK Genesis was a new maneuver.

There was a test-drive in the mid 1990 with a toy-train set. First - in 1995- came the LGB # 90950, based on the ICE 2DB train. The LGB train was labeled LCE, probably for copyright reasons...

LGB 90950 - courtesy of catawiki.com

LGB 90950 in original packaging-
 courtesy of Only Trains

Then LGBoA and their customers wanted their own American version and right they were, since Amtrak had just started to invest in a new Diesel generation. And LGB realized the 'face-value similarity' of both bodies. Thus the AMTRAK version LGB 91950 was born and a bit later the LGB 92950. The LGB 90950 LCE was actually based on the German ICE train, a high-speed multiple unit train.

ICE train in Frankfurt main station -
 courtesy of en.wikipedia.com

At the same time the ICE was developed and manufactured the Americans were also looking for a modern Diesel engine. Where the German ICE 's main task was to transport passengers by train instead of by plane and thus be as fast as possible in a somewhat small country, the new Genesis had the aim to operate heavy long-distance trains with fewer locomotives and at lesser costs. 

Its modernity and later success of the ICE train in Germany/Europe let the USA to inquire about the technology and after a series of tests the Germans didn't make it. The award (of contract) went to the French who ultimately provided all multiple units operating in the US as of today.

Amtrak wasn't looking for speed. Their main concern was to provide efficient transportation at justifiable costs for more and more freight volume across the US. A population growing by 30 million people every 10 years required infrastructure to be built, people to be fed, housed, clothed, educated and entertained with a need for freight alongside of that. The new Genesis  generation provided just that, a modern Diesel-electric configuration with a light body engine with high horsepower and light housing.

Amtrak P42DC - courtesy of en.wikipedia.com

Where long freight trains needed 3-5 and more locomotives the new Genesis generation required 2, 3 most for longer and heavier trains at even better speed (up to 100 mph). Time for the model-train'er to get one.......

LGB offered 5 engines over time. As mentioned above starting in 1995/96 with a toy-train model and going out in style with the LGB 22490:

Year    LGB model #

1995/95     91950

1996          92950

2005          20490

2005/6       22490

2006          21490

The question is, why did the first LGB Amtrak toy train  looked like an ICE train and why did it take LGB so long to offer the Genesis?

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

LGB In Motion

 There is no better evidence of  the master-ship of Klaus' craft than the LGB locos of his customers in action.

The ESU sound system provides such natural and original tonality. Klaus programmed recorded voices of the  owners directly into the locos and you can hear and differentiate those voices clearly - BRILLIANT !

Some of these owners were gracious and video-ed their layouts for Klaus.

Here are two examples of fine layouts

John and his wife enjoy their Napa Valley F 7 ( South Carolina ) at sunset. The voice you hear at the end of the video is that of John himself which is on the ESU sound decoder

Here is Bob's layout in Raymond/NH on a beautiful summer's day (please click on the file, then click again on the photo you will see)

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPnipZPAVA0NdDMs-Ro1ndGT-NNqwAX5x1dgpdA7IZyF8hhm2CEyd2jKbVllf3UGw?key=V19DYzlaMDJYTmd5MFJDZmcxckJ6dlRQTHVOblhn

And Jared from Utah asked Klaus to maximize the sound output by using all he could. Klaus installed 3 (three!) loudspeakers with a combined output of 13 Watt !! Here is a sound bite from Jared's Santa Fe F 7 still on Klaus work bench. As soon as we have Jared's video we will share it with you. 

The video clip opens in YouTube

LGB F 7 Santa Fe w/super boost ESU HiFi sound

Please note: the sound bite includes an introduction by Klaus, followed by the great conversation between the engineer and the yard master (ESU original). Also please note the engine light No 1 and the MARS light towards the end of the video. Klaus is currently working on a video clip featuring all capabilities of the ESU 5 XL sound decoder.