LGB ALLEGRA

  • Thread starter Thread starter Elmtree Line
  • Start date Start date
Yes, the price is high. But it does reflect that this in effect is quite comparable to two large RhB locomotives. You can even find higher priced IIm (=G-scale) RhB stuff in brass, which is twice the price of the Allega, and then still only one engine. You could also buy the Allegra in IIm scale from Neule at more than twice the price from LGB. I find it very good that LGB has chosen to release this train set which is in what can be called "normal" LGB RhB price range, even though it will make a large dent in my wallet.
 
Mathew at GRS are expecting them in tomorrow.Think he saidthey having excess of 20 sets
Money at the ready? :o ::) ::)
 
Hmm, will see what it's like before I apply hand to pocket.. O0
 
I agree with the fact that you are getting a substantial piece of railway equipment. It's just that my pockets are not quite ready to spend $1800.00 on it.
 
Having enquired about looking at one in the flesh I was advised today that these have been delayed into port and thus may not reach shops now till next week.

The all singing and dancing version is due 2nd week in January.

LGB have made provision for turning the basic version into digital with sound with relative ease.

Apparently up to 80% of the basic version is accounted for in pre-orders which must be encouraging for LGB.
 
Weren't they only going to make it if there were enough orders? If so, not really surprising that they've sold that many.
 
Hopefully it will sell because if they can sell a train at 1500 then it will give them the confidence to produce new steam and diesel models of premium quality again in future years.
 
So, full of excitement I went to Classic today to pick up my new Allegra.

Only to find that two of the seats in one motor coach and one in the other had broken free in transit. I have to say that it looked beautiful, a really nice model, but until a replacement arrives without faults, I shall not be parting with that kind of money.
 
jonothan said:
So, full of excitement I went to Classic today to pick up my new Allegra.

Only to find that two of the seats in one motor coach and one in the other had broken free in transit. I have to say that it looked beautiful, a really nice model, but until a replacement arrives without faults, I shall not be parting with that kind of money.
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A couple of German forums have reported similar issue and few others as well. Here is a link to a few issues discovered: http://www.rhb-grischun.ca/pdf/MLGB-Allegra.pdf

You may note that Germans for some strange reason refer to LGB as MLGB or M-LGB, which is short for Märklin LGB. I guess they should call it DSMLGB by now. Why not just call the company LGB and be finished with it ;)

Hopefully LGB will resolve the issue for the remaining series and for the upcoming digital version.
 
I have been collecting and RUNNING LGB since the late 60's, and I have STOPED BUYING post 2006 products, because all items have had faults! Points that were faulty, bad paint on Hungarian made trams. the list goes on.....I now buy pre Marklin made products.... the rest can go in the bin. >:( >:( >:( Alyn
 
I don't think it's all doom and gloom...MLGB has just announced they have been made aware of the shipping damage and will make sure it gets fixed. (have a look at Spur G blog)
They are going to start protecting them better (bubble wrap) when they ship them out now too...hopefully that will apply to the digital version, as I'm eagerly awaiting mine.

From what I've seen online it is a beautiful and well done model.
 
Keith RhB said:
I don't think it's all doom and gloom...MLGB has just announced they have been made aware of the shipping damage and will make sure it gets fixed. (have a look at Spur G blog)
They are going to start protecting them better (bubble wrap) when they ship them
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The point surely is more that on several of the recent MLGB releases (Rugen Kof (see my review), HSB Ko 199, E10 and now Allegra) there have been very basic quality control issues which have either gone unnoticed or been bodged. In the case of the E10 a total recall of the first run of models was required.

Like Alyn, I now only buy pre-2006 items, though that's mainly because German eBay has a constant stream of such reliable material at prices which make sense to me.
 
From what I've seen there seems to be a little too much rushing assembly, and not enough time spent field testing. In the past this has been more of a problem for the companies who aren't doing their own manufacturing, where they, "get what they get" from PRC. You would hope that since MLGB has control over their own destiny they can nip things in the bud before too many get out the door without correction. I also think there may be a certain bean-counter influence at play here--less of the traditional LGB "overengineering" now, and more of the "build to a price point" attitude which leads to problems like they had with the E10. I suppose it's a bit of a balancing act and a sort of diminishing returns sort of vicious circle too when it comes to making everything mail-carrier proof. At least here there seems to be a sincere willingness to improve and make things right.

It reminds me of a tour I once took at the Caterpillar wheel loader factory, where the guy in charge said, "yes we could make you a loader that will not fail, but nobody could afford it."

Keith
 
Stainzmeister said:
Quality control is not always an issue.
I have bought the following MLGB items, all of which had no issues in relation to quality :
Sachsen IIK, Wismarer railbus, 2 x Stainz 27211, Red 2091 Dollnitz diesel, Blue V52, Black Frank S with factory sound.
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It's good to read that there are more good examples than bad from your experience Paul. Yet that suggests quality control is not consistently to the high standard which used to be a hallmark of "old" LGB. If it can be got right, why allow things to go wrong with high-profile items such as the Allegra?
 
Having bit the bullet and ordered an Allegra I'm hugely disappointed with what has arrived.

Several seat sets in both end cars floating about loose and one external door snapped off it's hinges.

I don't believe the damage happened during the last leg of transportation from retailer to me.

More annoyed at the fact the retailer was made aware that these were known issues with this model.

The model will be going back.

My advice would be do not order one of these units unless you can get it out of the box and check it over before handing over your money.

Buyer beware.
 
I believe part of the problem is that the production line is not dedicated to the large scale stuff.. The make these tings in 'production runs' and the staff there these days are all post-LGB. They may be making OO one week and G-scale the next.
No continuity and they may not have known (for example) the E10 should have had carbon-brush pickups on the wheels..

Being charitable to those on the line here, but as others have said it should not have happened.
 
So as a recent birthday present I got the TEE set. In short motor cars and trailer. But what I wanted at a good price, is this not the same just another model or another colour? ;D
 
Mij said:
So as a recent birthday present I got the TEE set. In short motor cars and trailer. But what I wanted at a good price, is this not the same just another model or another colour? ;D
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No, the TEE set is made by Piko. It's a SG diesel train set.

The Allegra is a NG Swiss Electric Train, made by LGB....
 
A couple of other points worthy ofdriver's or anyone considering one of these models, always interesting to discuss the finer points...

The mouldings are exceptionally crisp, obviously this is a first production run, but the detailing is exceptional.

Paintwork is flaw free, lettering is crisp. There is a little evidence of underspray looking from underneath, although there is some overrun on the bottom of the lifting points.

There is no light up panel in the drivers cab like the ge4/4 III

You have to couple all the cars together with somewhat chunky cables, somewhat ott in thickness.

The plug doors open, but you have to use a supplied "sucker" to coax them open. They do not open easily, the moulded runners are very tight. Without door handles LGB had no choice here really, but doors fixed closed would have sufficed for most? Not sure if this is a plus or not.

Switching is as usual behind the sprung drivers cab door.

The trucks have tiny round LGB logos as part of the moulding. The body undersides just black Marklin stickers.

Each power car has one powered truck and one unpowered bogie. All wheels have pickups plus scared on the motorised truck. Traction tyre still being used.

Each end car is very heavy, I'm talking ge4/4 III weight! There appears to be a sheet of metal forming the chassis stiffener, the centre car also is substantial in weight. The box upon arriving was family tv weight!

End cars have an LCD type destination box, side of the vehicles are backlit stickers using miniature square led board.

This analog version has a socket for making it dcc, also speaker cutout and volume switch cutout under the centre car.

All three pantographs are metal, hand operated, and from the literature appear to all be wired for taking catenary juice.
 
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