I heard that LGB America trains are made in China, and LGB Europe is the only (or was) LGB made in Germany.
This news is at least 6 months old and has been discussed ad nauseam on this forum. LGBoA began acquiring products from China when Lehman Grossbahn’s financial problems first began to be publicized.
Marklin has recently purchased LGB of Europe and the latest news from them is that production has not yet resumed.
If you dig back through the forum, you can find many news items about LGB’s problems. Here is the most recent:
EPL/LGB no longer exists.
Marklin got everything, published interviews with Marklin indicate German and China molds and tooling were included.
We have yet to see what LGBoA/G45 is left with. There has been no word from them since the settlement of the insolvency.
It seems to me that all of the LGB freight cars in the past few years was made in china, as for locomotive’s the low end models ( 2-4-0, 0-4-0, Forney, Cat Switchers, etc.) was made in china the last few years also… But the high end Loco’s ( Alco Diesel, Mikado’s, Mallet’s, F units) and all older Loco’s ( Forney’s and Switchers pre-2001 to 2005) was made in germany, LGB of America had a lot of items made in china, in the 80’s LGB of America had a few cars made right here in the United States ( Covered Hoppers -Cement Type)… Now where does it go from here? Who Knows!!!
This is the latest information we have. This was written by Hal Miller, editor of Model Retailer magazine to be published in their October issue:
Märklin & Co. GmbH, recent buyer of E.P. Lehmann, has resumed production and is taking orders for LGB products for the European market. According to the translation of a German-market release from Günter Kopp, LGB project director, several products announced to be released this year will be available in calendar 2007. Prices will remain the same, except for track components, which Kopp says will be higher due to increases in the cost of raw materials.
There has been no announcement from LGB of America regarding its production status.
LGB of America doesn’t answer their telephone or return calls either.
That is not good public relations…but maybe there back logged???
Hi Mr. Merritt!
I’m sorry that you’ve had some problem connecting with the folks at LGB of America. LGBoA continues to function normally, and if you’d email me your contact information, I’ll have someone at San Diego contact you after the Labor Day holiday.
Thanks!
Dave Buffington
…and what about Hornby buying Marklin!?! [:-^]