The extra LGB vestibules

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phils2um

Phil S
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I figured this is the place to ask this question. Does anyone know why LGB includes the extra vestibules with the ERA III (31524 for example) 4 axle passenger wagons? Has baffled me for years now.
 
All the listings I have found, say Era IV?

My guess would be they are similar to other models, that LGB produced first, and it is just a change of livery, and artistic license?
PaulRHB is or expert, and will no-doubt put us right?
 
Yes, that particular livery may be Era IV. I was intending to refer to the particular style of wagon, of which I have several. I believe they are loosely modeled on prototypes from Era III. In any case, each of the six examples I have (30520, 31521, 31522, 32522, 32523, and 33520) came with the extra vestibules. The attached pic is what I'm asking about. There are even directions on how to replace the one that the models come with. The only difference I can detect is the piece labelled 4. It is red in the package for this wagon. The original on the wagon is gray. But, what's the point?

vestibule - 1.jpeg
 
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These coaches pass across many Era / Epoc thus it is likely that the connections were changed to match newer stock when built with updated (likely less droughty) corridor connections.
 
That would be a very good explanation. However, the extra vestibules appear nearly identical to those that come on the wagon except for the color of part #4. Also, if LGB already has the parts, why not put the appropriate ones on to begin with?

There must be some logical reason for the extra parts. But, none of the passenger wagon descriptions I've seen for this style wagon even mention the extra vestibules.

Time to go to the "horses mouth" - think I'll send a query to Stacy Cousins, the Märklin spokesperson here in the States.
 
Stacy is on the case!

"We honestly have no idea why you get an extra set. I will have to ask Germany. I’ll get back to you soon!"
 
This may seem silly, but they don't clip onto the existing ones to reduce the gap between the vehicles?
 
Paul M said:
This may seem silly, but they don't clip onto the existing ones to reduce the gap between the vehicles?
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No, there is no way to attach them to those on the wagon. Also, take a look at the instruction sheet in post #3. They are intended to replace the existing ones.
 
One of my LGB 3062/3063 (Austrian) coaches has vestibules?

There are holes in the ends for it to fit into, which aren't on my other (green) ones. It has a 'RhB' livery but AFAIK, this type of coach has never run on that railway, possibly due to the gauge differences....

th.jpg
 
Gizzy said:
One of my LGB 3062/3063 (Austrian) coaches has vestibules?

There are holes in the ends for it to fit into, which aren't on my other (green) ones. It has a 'RhB' livery but AFAIK, this type of coach has never run on that railway, possibly due to the gauge differences....

View attachment 261662
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You're right, the red "RhB" variants of LGB 3063 and 3064 are not prototypical. They do have vestibules. I suspect they were released by LGB so that RhB fans with R1 layouts could run red bogie coaches that looked a bit like the prototype, which suits me fine!
 
idlemarvel said:
You're right, the red "RhB" variants of LGB 3063 and 3064 are not prototypical. They do have vestibules. I suspect they were released by LGB so that RhB fans with R1 layouts could run red bogie coaches that looked a bit like the prototype, which suits me fine!
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When these came out in RhB livery there was not the rich supply of RhB Swiss type coaches that we have today. In fact these coaches were pretty well hacked into all sorts of liveries to please various factions so they are of an era. However they are rather nice and have stood the test of time. I have a couple of the RhB ones as they were about all I could get in my chosen DR Red n Creme at the time.I keep them for sentimental reasons giving them a turn now and again. They spent a lot of years at the Ruschbahn on loan being used as through coaches from the RhB to the RuB. In my loft are also a couple of the blue Austrian ones.
 
I acquired the Orient Express set of three coaches. but body mouldings only. I had to source all the missing bits (windows, doors, seats, bulkheads, roofs, chassis, bogies) from ebay purchases of other liveried examples. All of them came with concertina end gates and the required corridor connections had to be found elsewhere.
 
As best as I can interpret Jon D. is the winner with the correct guess. The extra bellows are there to represent the those of an earlier incarnation before a rebuild.

To quote the pferd's reply:
"Hello Stacy,

thanks for your question.

I can not find the item no. of the wagon. In the real railway the last car has a wider bellow. Therefore, we add these to each car for a correct repositioning.

In the manual on page 4 you can see the slim bellow and on page 5 you see the wide bellow.

Sincerely yours,

your customer service employee

Selma Reisert"

This response prompted me to actually open up a bag with the extra bellows for a more careful examination. Attached is a shot comparing the two. The extras are quite a bit shorter than those that come on the wagon. The width is actually the same. Depth of the extras is the same at the top. They are a skosh deeper where the footplate is molded on but still not as deep as at the top.

vestibule - 1 _1_.jpeg

I'd like to thank Stacy Cousins, US (North American?) Märklin Customer Service Rep for her efforts and very prompt replies!
 
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Excellent detective-work all-round..

So, despite the 'rubber-ruler', they do try.. :):clap::clap:

Now you can put the unwanted parts, on EvilBay, marked *RARE* with a legitimate reason for their being. :):rofl::rofl:
 
phils2um said:
As best as I can interpret Jon D. is the winner with the correct guess. The extra bellows are there to represent the those of an earlier incarnation before a rebuild.
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Thanks Phil, nice to get it right now and again!
 
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