LS Models has photos of the prototypes of the E310/E410 on the lsmodels.com website.

They are also listing the lastest City Night Line and DB Nachtzug models as in delivery. These models are highly detailed and a joy to look at.

All coaches 303mm, exact 1:87 best suited for Roco's Universal Coupler.

Regards

Mike C

Hi Mike.
You're right, these are great models! I have an USI coach, it is wonderfully detailed, and runs very well even if it's longer than usual Marklin coaches. Of course I use Roco universal couplers as you suggest.

I'd like to buy SNCF BB16500 from LS, but I don't know how it runs. Someone has any experience about it?

Pietro

Lutz,

now that the model is being released, don't you think it better to review/critique the official release model rather than pulling out old photos of early sample/handmuester models that were displayed at the Messe?

As far as the buffer height is concerned, it is Maerklin and not LSM, Roco, ADE, ACME, RailTop, etc that is not keeping to established norms.

I have a full consist of CNL coaches from LSM, along with SNCB coaches and the newest DB UIC-X models. They are among my favorite consists in terms of detail.

I do not have a problem with the buffer height because I don't mix them with Maerklin coaches.

Regards

Mike C

Pietro,

Technically, it is possible to mix almost any brand of model RR coaches. You may notice that Maerklin/Trix coaches have a different buffer height, which was modified in order to permit the Maerklin close coupler to pass underneath the buffers.
I, personally, do not combine 1:87 coaches with other scales.
My Maerklin and other 1:93 and 1:100 coaches have their own consists. The 1:87 rolling stock is completely separate.

Regards

Mike C

About the BB 16500 : the electronic card with 21 poles has a bad design . You cannot use standard 21 poles decoders.
The Belgian Owner has a deal with Mr Danckaert ( see importer of ESU Loksound for Belgium ) to distribute a pre-formated 21 pole decoder from ESU ...( with special internal mapping of functions )
So if tou want to buy a LSM 16500 you have to ask for the " pre-formated ESU lokpilot for 16500"...).
Don't try to use any other decoder : it won't work !

Very interesting report. I am sure that this will be of interest to many modellers who are considering this model, and should perhaps be in it's own thread.

If it is a question of the decoder socket being incorrectly wired, would this not be a warranty issue? It is nice that the Belgian distributor of ESU is offering a special rewired decoder for this model. Shouldn't it be up to LSM to repair the socket so that it corresponds to the standard norms for NEM decoders?

At present, I have no LSM locomotives on order, as my collection is mostly SBB/Swiss. I did pre-order some of the new SBB UIC Coaches and I hope that they rival the DB UIC-X in quality. As long as they are better than the Liliput ones, I will be satisfied with them.

Regards

Mike C

The first design drawings of the model of the SBB UIC Coach Models has been posted on the www.lsmodels.com website.

Judging by the design of the model, this series should be as nice as the DB UIC-X or CityNightLine coach series.

I am looking forward to these models.

I am also looking forward to my new CityNightLine couchette coaches in the new red/white livery and wondering when LS Models will release the Sleeperette coaches so I can replace the Heris coaches?

Regards

Mike C

It is very refreshing to see that the trend of bashing a whole company because of the weak points of one particular model or one series that do not necessarily apply to most or all models is still going on.

What if I were to raise the fact that Maerklin coaches have offset bogies, simulated buffers that do not extend out as far as they should, very basic interior details (compared to other brands), just to name a few details that could be improved on some models.

Would you like it if I posted that Maerklin should be avoided because of this?

I respect the fact that some modellers want to model just Maerklin. Do posts like the one being addressed here respect other modellers who may wish to combine AC products of multiple brands on their Maerklin layouts?

Every manufacturer and each of their products has it's positive and negative aspects. It is perfectly acceptable to mention that you don't use a certain brand because it doesn't fit with your Maerklin lok, but you should not use this to tar and feather the whole brand.

For example, you cannot compare the LSM CityNightLine or DB UIC-X coaches to earlier productions. Same way you cannot compare a 37356 Re 4/4II to a 3328 Re 4/4IV. The only thing those models have in common is the name Maerklin (and maybe the motor). In terms of detail and aspect, the two are worlds apart.

There are some of us out here who like some models by other companies and models by Maerklin. We buy the ones we like and forget about those that we don't. You are welcome to share your views about specific models, but please don't blast a whole company based on specific issues with one or two items.

I have had no problems with my LSM DB and CNL consists, nor with my RailTop OBB and SBB Coaches. If there is a slight difference in buffer height, I can use Hag or Roco loks instead of Maerklin and especially with the Roco loks, the loks have a close coupling shaft which makes the consist look even nicer.

Just because I have no problems with the coaches in my collection and have not mentioned any issues, others think this makes me uninformed. Why would I comment on items that I have no interest in or items that I did not buy due to concerns about issues? My comments pertain to models I have and ones I am interested in, and occasionally to models where I believe there may be general interest in within this and other forums.

Respectfully yours,

Mike C

Interesting point of view! I regard "Marklin-users-net" more as a forum discussing a system (AC) than a purists site focussed on the M* brand only. But now that you mention it, I wonder how others thing about that.

Maybe we (read: webmaster) can ad a "discuss other manufactuers" tread in order not to disturb the pure Marklin oriented members?

Perhaps worthwhile discussing this in another topic?

Mr R,
can I call you Evil?

I do quite a bit of my LSM shopping in your neck of the woods (relatively speaking). Huenerbein in Aachen carries one of the most comprehensive selection of LSM/RT/ACME etc.

I also order from TEE-USA in New York (when I only want one or two items) and from a few sources in Germany/Switzerland/France when I can't find it at my usual suppliers.

Regards

Mike C

You sure can! Or R or by my firstname 'Rinus', whatever suits you best!

Aachen? Ok. Must remember that. I also noticed a few ACME and LS modells in a train Shop on platform 11 on Munich Hbf. Unfortunately it was closed during the evening hours and I had an appointment during the day. Better luck next September when I plan another trip to Münich.

In my experience the LSM coaches will go through an R1 curve perfectly well. They just look horrible doing so and will "collect" any scenery that's too close.

I tend to agree with making models able to traverse R1 curves, as that enables modellers to use them in hidden areas. You can use larger curves where people can see them and tighter ones to save space where they don't show.

Many modellers have adopted the solution of having a dual track mainline on the outside of the layout (main line or high speed line) and a regional or local track set up on the inside of the layout.

You can then operate full exact 1:87 on the main line and have the 1:93 and smaller coaches and cars on the inside of the layout.

Some interesting modifications to this theme include a narrow gauge Bemo layout on the inside, which allows for the operation of a large station where passengers can transfer from the mainline to the narrow gauge trains and then climb into the alps on the narrow gauge line on the inside of the layout. This would recreate, for example, the stations at Landquart, Chur, Brig or Goeschenen where this kind of operation can be seen in prototype.

Another concept would be to have a tourist railroad (steamers, etc) using smaller radii while the mainline would be an oval with storage and passing sidings in the station and at the back of the layout.

It has also been my experience that many people using R1 and R2 curves have a set up where there is a straight track or two between quarter curves or between curved segments. If your set up is like this, you can easily replace your existing curves and straights with larger radii curves w/o the straights and not use up any more space than right now.

Regards

Mike C