Here're are the new locos for 2025 from Marklin/LGB.....

[tac foley]

All you need is a deep pocket..........................even a single slag car is almost £350.........................................and as for a nice long consist of log skeletons, ten of 'em is going to add £1500 to your £3500 Shay................

 

[Monty]

I know it's digital mischief but I found it off-putting when all the locos slid effortlessly from one side to the other with no rotation of the wheels or movement in the motion!

 

[duncan1_9_8_4]

I do understand that they're expensive. Especially the shay. But with their more normal stuff, I remember buying (after months of saving) various locomotives 15 or so years ago.... They have always been the more expensive brand, but are they REALLY so expensive compared to all those years ago, or is it just inflation, like everything else over the years. A pint of beer cost about £1.60 when I first started drinking (legally) in't local, 2002. Now it's £4.10....

 

[dunnyrail]

I do understand that they're expensive. Especially the shay. But with their more normal stuff, I remember buying (after months of saving) various locomotives 15 or so years ago.... They have always been the more expensive brand, but are they REALLY so expensive compared to all those years ago, or is it just inflation, like everything else over the years. A pint of beer cost about £1.60 when I first started drinking (legally) in't local, 2002. Now it's £4.10....

Indeed so, you can double that pint cost and more at some pubs in London!

 

[JimmyB]

A pint of beer cost about £1.60 when I first started drinking (legally) in't local, 2002. Now it's £4.10....

1s 11d (9 1/2p) when i started drinking, and around here about £4.80 a pint

 

[Diesel2000]

I do understand that they're expensive. Especially the shay. But with their more normal stuff, I remember buying (after months of saving) various locomotives 15 or so years ago.... They have always been the more expensive brand, but are they REALLY so expensive compared to all those years ago, or is it just inflation, like everything else over the years. A pint of beer cost about £1.60 when I first started drinking (legally) in't local, 2002. Now it's £4.10....

The Shay and HG 4/4 are 'High End" meaning metal construction. I can attest to the detail they include that you wont find on the normal line plastic models. These are similar to the old Aster-LGB line, which were $1500-$5000 20 yrs ago. With inflation, more detail, new construction, and better electronics the pricing for these isnt that exorbitant by comparison. They are also similar to KISS and KM1, which tend to be even more expensive than these High End LGB models have been. These are the brands the High End LGB models are trying to compete with, not the typical plastic line.

 

[notofthiscenturyTim]

Well out of my price league, but I'm glad LGB are still around and releasing new models.

Thank goodness there's a plentiful supply of secondhand rolling stock coming onto the market as older people downsize. Like the Bachmann Shay for £250.

Re: inflation, the price of beer is influenced by duty, which is an arbitrary "sin tax" set by the government. Mercifully no sin tax on model trains.

Using the Bank of England's general inflation calculator, the £3500 Shay would have cost:

£1,152 in 1985
£1,735 in 1995
£2,017 in 2005
£2,582 in 2015

Personally I think LGB products are moving into luxury goods territory where what matters is the price the market will pay and has very little to do with the cost of production.

 

[dunnyrail]

Well out of my price league, but I'm glad LGB are still around and releasing new models.

Thank goodness there's a plentiful supply of secondhand rolling stock coming onto the market as older people downsize. Like the Bachmann Shay for £250.

Re: inflation, the price of beer is influenced by duty, which is an arbitrary "sin tax" set by the government. Mercifully no sin tax on model trains.

Using the Bank of England's general inflation calculator, the £3500 Shay would have cost:

£1,152 in 1985
£1,735 in 1995
£2,017 in 2005
£2,582 in 2015

Personally I think LGB products are moving into luxury goods territory where what matters is the price the market will pay and has very little to do with the cost of production.

You could well be right, looking at cost of coaches in Garden Rail this month a 4 coach set of RüBB coaches is just over a grand £1000 ponds Uk. Put an observation coach into the set instead of one of the coaches will add £20 to the cost. So glad I have all my needs for my line, though the right Harz DR Railcar may tempt me. The current one no good at all to me as it is more of a locomotive and I have enough of them.

 

[ARIA31]

I feel better with USA trains, Piko, Bachmann with which you can buy again existing items even after a long time. And prices are reasonable....