Grootspoor - the Mekka for LGB fans!!!

[Aljosha]

Hi guys!
Long had I wondered what is behind the name Grootspoor, until I drove past it just b4 Xmas.
Boy, what an eye opener! Impossible to walk away without the red boxes...
So be my guest and enjoy a few pics, or even better, pay Michael a visit!

 

[Aljosha]

Grootspoor is up in north Holland, near Alkmaar. Driving up went along a canal, and beautiful houses in its neighbourhood:

 

[Aljosha]

In the showcases you see some of the weathering work done by Grootspoor, on demand.
Also some cracking Marklin I locos as well as hand made (metal).
Michael just had a huge collection received to put on show, many Asters.
Further you can see the amount of stock he's got in the shop!

 

[Aljosha]

At this point I was ready to give anything for these trains!! ;-)
Needless to say that there are plenty of magazines, MTS chips, controllers...
Found some interesting repaints, if you need the long coaches in dutch colours!
In one room there's a turntable with some nice locos.
The coalong crane is full metal, fully operative. For the deep pockets!
Also found my favourite items for the depressed centre cars - the heavy metal generators, weathered or original!

 

[Aljosha]

Finally, an interesting 'by-product' made by Grootspoor are coaches, fully modelled INSIDE!
This includes self made figures and inventory, i.e. for the kitchen crockery/cutlery, an oven with glowing cooking plates, wall paper in the dining room - just everything. LGB RhB Gourmet excl the coach was 1200Euros, if I remember rightly. But plenty of orders in the book, and soon a video on his website.
Such perfectionism, very enjoyable!

 

[mike]

owww a new holiday resort,

 

[Steve]

Brilliant Marcus ,

Time to have a word with the misses about holidays

 

[pugwash]

I've bought no end of stuff from them, they have loads of second hand kit too and furthermore they take Paypal!
Always pleased with their service.

 

[The Devonian]

A wonderful shop for those who want European models I guess - good stocks as well. But they don't seem to sell what I buy so I will stick to cheese which is what Alkmaar is also well known for.

 

[Aljosha]

This looks fantastic. So what did you come away with?

Well, I tried to stand firm but didn't work.... Fortunately he didn't have the Bucunada and other treats in stock!
2 fancy Berlin wagons as I've lived in Berlin and there are a few Berlin themed wagons/coaches. Rule 8!

 

[Aljosha]

Well - Almost 3500 euros for a second-hand model that Arcadia is selling for £2500 - brand-new - is no bargain, AFAIC.

Hey tac, which 'small priced' model is that then?

In my experience, in the higher price range the amounts can differ significantly.
- Green Tssd Aster was on SPModels for 3400pounds if I remember, for 2500Euros @ grootspoor, and for 2195Euros @ a Berlin shop.
- Blue RhB Arosa was for 1500Euros (used) @ BigTrain.nl, 999Euros (new) @Grootspoor, and 700Euros via German ebay.

 

[theflyingcaradoc]

Great shop. I bought a secondhand Lgb Stainz off them at eurospoor in Utrecht for a very good price.

 

[Paradise]

I have 2 freinds (locos) that used to live there.
What a nice setting for a shop.

I was told by Michael that 'Grootspoor' translated is 'Big Track' for those not in the know.
Is that Michael in the photo?

 

[Philbahn]

Nice to see pictures of the shop. Lovelly setting. We went to Eurospour show two years ago and their stand was full of lgb

 

[Philbahn]

I'll try and find some pictures later

 

[KeithT]

What is the semi-streamlined black loco at the bottom of the last pic on post 2 please and, who makes it?

 

[Philbahn]

Only got one picture. Eurospoor 2007 remember the shortage of LGB here. Well I think Grootspoor had somethimg to do with it

 

[Philbahn]

Marcus thanks for reviving a memory

 

[mmts]

so whos going to organize a coach trip over there???