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.................................