| Extreme reliability, high precision and efficient distribution | | | | look spectacular even if a bit sanitized. LGB is famous |
| are the cornerstones of German products sold around | | | | for producing G scale model trains and layouts and |
| the world, especially engineered products. Can we | | | | they also produce some kits. Very many G scale |
| therefore expect the same form LGB model trains | | | | layouts run around the garden so it makes sense to |
| and accessories? Marklin are the biggest distributors of | | | | have robust finishes although it is hard to imagine the |
| model trains, probably in Europe and they distribute | | | | layout being misused just because it is outside. There |
| LGB products in Germany and elsewhere. | | | | are very few if any gimmicks with their systems, |
| Marklin also promote other Model brands and that | | | | locomotives, track or rolling stock, because their |
| means LGB have to at least hold their own against | | | | models are actual miniatures of the real thing and just |
| other German manufacturers. They have to compete | | | | as with all the to p manufacturers, that is what you get. |
| head on in terms of quality and price because they do | | | | Prices are relatively high, and without too much study |
| have stiff competition. The Marklin own brand for | | | | on a like for like basis LGB products are sold at a |
| instance and 4MFOR and TRIX brands are all | | | | premium of around 15 - 20%. It is for the modeller to |
| fabricated in German workshops. In fact these brands | | | | make a decision as to pay the premium but it is clear |
| do compete very well with each other according to | | | | that many do. It is hard to imagine US products being |
| Marklin. | | | | sold (as they are) in Germany without there being a |
| There is always a big but though, because in the | | | | premium so perhaps the premium in the US and the |
| opinion of many: they are so good, so clean, | | | | rest of Europe is not so hard to swallow. |
| well-defined and accurate that they look pristine and | | | | To sum up then: The enthusiastic modeller will always |
| when the aging process is applied they just look dirty. | | | | go for quality and aesthetics so there is no wonder |
| Unrealistic. Whether or not this is the case is uncertain | | | | there is a good market for these products outside of |
| and modellers wonder if the German method of aging | | | | Germany. Quality of manufacture is superb as are the |
| a layout is the same as in the US. Many modelers to | | | | standard finishes. The only two slight downsides are |
| believe the aging process will be different because a | | | | price and the sanitized look. The range of products |
| lot of the finishes of these models are epoxy sprayed | | | | within the specialty of G scale is excellent and LGB |
| and some are powder coated. | | | | control systems are entirely dependable. |
| It has to be said that in the garden LGB layouts do | | | | |