Are LGB Starter Sets Back?

[SJC]

I'm primarily an O-gauge person but have always wanted to add a Stainz to my collection. I know LGB (Does Marklin own them now?) has started up with a "Full Gauge Railroad Starter Set" which has a Black Stainz and two cars, etc. I also see a Santa Fe 2-4-0 set with flat car and caboose as well as the sets I'm interested in, the classic green Stainz with either two red and blue passenger cars or a ballast car and flat car with truck. Are these back in production as it appears many places are advertising these as being in stock and am thinking of picking one up if that is the case. Thanks!

[two tone]

Hi SJC,    Some things are coming back but its hit and miss as to what they want to produce now, they are looking for product that will sell fast and give a good return on there out lay. Take a look at ebay and second hand sales.   Try to get to one of the exibitions they have near you.      Hope this helps

[Rene Schweitzer]

Yes, Märklin does own LGB now, with Walthers being the distributor. I'm not aware of starter sets being available yet. I checked Walthers' web site and could not find any listed. There is a fair number of German-prototype equipment listed as coming later this year (singly not as sets), but I did not see the Stainz. I would imagine that would be brought back into production at some point, as that was their classic engine/part of their logo.

[ttrigg]

SJC: What you are probably seeing is "old stock". My LHS has three on hand for sale, they have been on the shelf since 2005. Starter sets seem to sell only during Christmas time. If you find them "IN STOCK" assume that they have been on the shelf for a couple of years.

[vsmith]

There are lots of almost new starter sets on Evilbay, also check around, many shops still have sets on hand, best to call and ask.

[SJC]

Thanks for the help folks. I appreciate it. The reason I asked was some of the stores that are now showing these as in-stock (they didn't a few months ago) also have "New" splashed across the ad. I've checked out the Bay and while I don't feel very comfortable doing so, I may bid on something when it pops up. ONe of my LHS used to be a huge LGB dealer and I'm heading over shortly to pick up some supplies for my O-gauge layout. I'll ask him what he knows as well. Either way, Thank you all for the help. I appreciate it. BTW, how are Aristocraft's "Eggliner"? I've been thinking of picking on up for around the tree running but haven't heard much about them. My main concern is are they quiet? The CFO here doesn't want anything to be heard when it comes to trains in her living room. Thanks again!

[Rene Schweitzer]

Yes, the Eggliners run very quiet. I've seen quite a few of them in operation on different railroads. They come in plenty of color schemes and the price is certainly right. I can't comment on their long-term performance, though, but I haven't heard of any huge problems here in the office.

[SJC]

Thanks Rene for the reply. Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner! I appreciate the positive review on the Eggliner. Will look into picking one up for running around the tree (and maybe for that small ceiling loop I want to build one of these day since my LGB 2-4-0 is at the end of the road.....)

[IRB Souther Engineer]

I have an Eggliner (I think it's from one of the very first runs). It runs good (or used to), but recently it has been making a lot of noise when running slowly. Soon I may look into the gearbox or send it to Aristocraft, or see what the people here think.

BTW, (from what I understand), the Eggliner is two end caps from the Aristocraft streamline (or the like) observation car put together and stuck on a Aristocraft 2 axle motor block. Something you would see Vic doing

.

[SJC]

Thanks for the pretty favorable reply on the Eggliner. The plan right now is to buy one sometime this summer and make use of it around the tree. Sooner or later I plan to set up a small ceiling mounted layout to run it on and maybe some other equipment that I may pick up down the road.