New LGB club

[Anonymous]

Lots of bad-mouthing of LGB and their new club here.

I think I'll join, and sign-up my brother-in-law, as well, since he's also an LGB enthusiast.

I used to belong to the earlier LGB club, and had some great times at a number of their national conventions. I certainly wi***he new BTOC well in their ventures, but probably would not want to join because of the condescending attitude toward LGB being displayed here. If the goal of the BTOC is to attract new members, it's probably much better to talk-up the advantages of such membership rather than disparage some other group.

LGB, along with Marklin, enjoys a worldwide market, and I'm quite confident the firm and it's products enjoys a much larger following than is represented in this predominantly sour-grapes thread.

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Capt Bob Johnson

From what I read here it sounds to me like that club is gonna be like a U-boat that had it's own torpedo circle around on it --- sunk!

Bob,

Never fear!
There are enough "dyed in the wool" LGB fans out there who are perfectly willing to spend $56 - just keep an eye on how the bidding goes on LGB stuff on eBay.
Which is as it should be, for my part I'm happy to buy the occasional LGB item if the price/value relation is reasonable and the quality is what I would expect at that price point. Neither is a given with LGB, even if there are plenty of people who believe it is.

Since they moved some of their production to China things are not honky-dory in the quality department, perhaps that's where the "extended warranty" kicks in.[;)][;)]
But what gives one pause is the given reason for repatriating the Czech production to Nürnberg - Quality issues!!!
Hmmmmmmmmmm... since the Czech facility was practically in their backyard, but somewhat hard to handle, how will that work in far-off China? Or will those designers and QC people who have too many demerit points be sent to China for some "re-education" and first hand experience??[;)][:)][:D]

[Capt Bob Johnson]

From what I read here it sounds to me like that club is gonna be like a U-boat that had it's own torpedo circle around on it --- sunk!

[Anonymous]

Fantastic.
56 euro (I've just noticed that my keyboard doesn't have a euro key.How sad! )
A free pin.
Access to the worst instructions known to mankind.
I think they can stick it where the Sun doesn't shine.
Even my Dad agrees.(and I think he keeps LGB going)

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

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

Yes its a sarcastic look at it but its the same in terms of real practicallity. I'd be more interested in the BTOC if they are now open to model RR heretics like me but not so much the Red Box Brigade.[:D]

Vic,

The BTOC is open to anyone who is interested in Large Scale, regardless of scale, gauge or manufacturer.

They also produce a magazine (normally four times a year - this year is not quite normal!), the editor is always looking for articles, pictures etc. etc.
I started a series of articles which compare different mfgs RhB goodies to the prototype.
So far I have been comparing LGB and KISS to the prototype, since BRAWA's first releases are just around the corner doing reviews will be even more interesting.
Of course I only review items that fit my era (1969-75) and since I buy the items from whichever dealer (no special discounts, no freebies and no selected goods) I'm sure I end up with the same products as every other customer in the country. No better, no worse.[;)][:)][;)]

Of course I also call it as I see it i.e. some of the readers have been surprised at the rigorous scale value gradations. Wellllllll, there are others who take a more "conciliatory approach", but I'm of the opinion that measurements don't white-wash anything.
And since I don't depend on advertising revenue.............. I kind of like it that way. [:)][:D][;)]

[vsmith]

The straight poop from the LGBof A site....

The new, worldwide "LGB Club" was introduced at the Unconvention in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and response to the factory sponsored, benefit program for LGB fans was overwhelming. The red LGB Club pins were the hot item of the weekend, and in fact, by the end of the weekend, it appeared that every single family attending had signed up to become LGB Club members.

“We are thrilled by the very positive response to the LGB Club,” said Rolf Richter of Ernst Paul Lehmann Patentwerk. “It offers LGB fans around the world some very valuable benefits, and it compliments the social and human benefits of belonging to a local G-scale club.”

The LGB Club benefits include:
- a free, annual LGB catalog (and an all-new catalog is scheduled for 2006)
- a free LGB DEPESCHE subscription (including pro-rated conversion of your existing subscription, if any)
- the LGB TELEGRAM email newsletter
- the LGB Club News newsletter
- the opportunity to purchase exclusive LGB Club models (four LGB Club models are expected in 2006)
- annual club membership card
- access to the exclusive LGB Club web site, www.lgb-club.com (starting January 2006)
- discounted admission to selected model train shows
- discounted admission to selected museums
- discounts on official LGB TOURS (including trips to the big LGB Festival next year)
- discounted registration for courses at LGB Learning Centers
- extended warranty period–from two to five years–on LGB models
- an official LGB Club pin
- and more to come!

What do you pay for these benefits? $56 per year in North America. 56 Euros per year elsewhere around the world. The LGB Club application form is available online at www.lgb.com. Just go to that web address and click on the "LGB Club" button. The new club officially begins operation in January 2006 and memberships are offered on a calendar-year basis. (So your form will not be processed until the beginning of 2006.)

Personally I see this as a primaraly Euro offering (since thats where most of there market is) with no real advantage for me here on the West Coast. The events that do occur here like the Unconvention, are predominanly an East Coast event, as was the LGBMMRC seamed to me was majority east coast/mid-west affiliated.

How would these "benifits" affect me?
- a free, annual LGB catalog (and an all-new catalog is scheduled for 2006) got it already, for free at the iHobby Expo, the BIG coffe table version!
- a free LGB DEPESCHE subscription (including pro-rated conversion of your existing subscription, if any) cant read Germglish and its ALL one product oriented.
- the LGB TELEGRAM email newsletter same thing as above
- the LGB Club News newsletter same thing as above
- the opportunity to purchase exclusive LGB Club models (four LGB Club models are expected in 2006) too poor to buy 90% of their stuff as it is
- annual club membership card Oooohhh like thats a draw
- access to the exclusive LGB Club web site, www.lgb-club.com (starting January 2006)
already active here, on MRR , Trains.com, MLS, ....
- discounted admission to selected model train shows where? Stutgart?
- discounted admission to selected museums where? Stutgart?
- discounts on official LGB TOURS (including trips to the big LGB Festival next year) where? Stutgart?
- discounted registration for courses at LGB Learning Centers where? Stutgart?
- extended warranty period–from two to five years–on LGB models yet to have ANY trouble
- an official LGB Club pin Nice but like I'm going to wear this to the Opera?

Yes its a sarcastic look at it but its the same in terms of real practicallity. I'd be more interested in the BTOC if they are now open to model RR heretics like me but not so much the Red Box Brigade.[:D]

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Rene S

QUOTE: Originally posted by Marty Cozad

Rene, this is old news , where have you been.?

Marty,
The BTOC is old news--but the new LGB/membership club is new to me. . .or did word leak out about that too?[:0]

Hi Rene,

The pre-pre-pre-announcement of that happened at the former LGBMRRC Mystic convention (Summer of 2004).

Of course the old LGBMMRC could never get a firm commitment of what would be included in the LGB Club goodies bag. And looking at what is in the goodies bag I'd say "HoHum".

Why, if the LGB quality and service are so outstanding, would one need an extended warranty?
There are several magazines on the market which are more informative i.e. they cover a much wider spectrum of the Large Scale scene than the "Depesche".

Those are just two examples.

[Rene Schweitzer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Marty Cozad

Rene, this is old news , where have you been.?

Marty,
The BTOC is old news--but the new LGB/membership club is new to me. . .or did word leak out about that too?[:0]

[Anonymous]

HJ,

I appreciate your comments and thoughts about the BTOC. [:)]

[Marty Cozad]

Rene, this is old news , where have you been.?

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dontrainman

The old LGB Club is no longer affiliated with their previous sponser and are welcoming all other brands. Very interesting.......

Hi Don,

The BTOC (Big Train Operator Club; formerly the LGBMRRC) had no room in LGB's new scheme - strictly my impression from what I have read - since, amongst various other issues (perceived, contrived and real) the LGBMRRC didn't see enough being offered by LGB to make it worth while for their members.
Since I'm a member of the BTOC and since I have read what is being offered by LGB for the US$ 56.00, I fully agree!

I have also bought a copy of the new English language "Depesche" and I'm far from impressed. I won't comment on the content , after all it is a mfgs periodical. However where I come from one could at least expect to get good translations of the articles which were originally penned in German. What they offer is Germlish!
Then again that isn't a surprise either, since the English speakers who use LGB equipment have received that same treatment in the LGB manuals for many years.

As Don mentioned the BTOC welcomes all Large Scale fans! Indoors , outdoors, collectors or whatever; they are all welcome regardless of which scale they fancy or whose items they buy. Some of us actually know that it is more than the high price which makes for a good model.

For those who are interested, the BTOC Forum is at
http://www.bigtrainoperator.com/v-web/bulletin/bb/index.php and is called the Soapbox. Which is apt enough for a Large Scale forum.[;)][:)][:D]

PS Ooops I better add a disclaimer: I'm utterly biased and the above is strictly my opinion.
OTOH 75% of my rolling stock is carefully selected LGB Material, the percentage will decline as other mfgs offer better items which are to scale and as my kitbashed****nal grows.[}:)][:)][;)][}:)][:D]

OOOOPS#2 the stars above should read as a*r*s*e*n*a*l, the word ran afoul of the "expression police". [;)][;)][;)]

[Anonymous]

The old LGB Club is no longer affiliated with their previous sponser and are welcoming all other brands. Very interesting.......

[Rene Schweitzer]

I received a press release from LGB of America, and they are starting a new (worldwide) LGB club. For $56 per year, you can become a member and receive an email newsletter, annual LGB catalog, Depesche magazine, access to the club web site, and lots more.

For information, go to www.lgb.com and click on the "LGB club" button.