Attractive German Trains to Buy (and where from?)

[Sir TophamHatt]

Where can I buy German trains from?

Modern or steam... and where would I buy them from?

 

I'm not particularly modelling German railways but I have a connection with the country so would be interested in stock.

[Horsetan]

As long as you're used to paying Continental prices, there are a number of stockists in the UK - Winco is a reasonable start

 

In Germany, there's Modellbahnshop-Lippe

[Hobby]

If you are happy with secondhand then Contikits is well worth a look.

 

http://www.contikits.com/

 

 

 

Mount Tabor Models is another for new stuff.

[Claude_Dreyfus]

I have used A&H models before, particularly their chip fitting service.

 

http://www.aandhmodels.co.uk

 

My favourite is the aforementioned Modellbahnshop Lippe. Also if you manage to get to any more specialised shows...Global Rail at Didcot, or the German Railway Society Show near Birmingham, keep an eye out for Chris Roberts' stall. No connection, but I have never had a bad purchase from him. Excellent quality, excellent prices.

[jjb1970]

As well as the German dealers and the aforementioned UK stockists, the following UK shops are worth a look and all offer first class service:

 

• The Hobby Shop Faversham
• Scograil
• C&M Models
• Gaugemaster

 

As for what to buy, that is equivalent to how long is a piece of string, do you like steam, diesel, electric? I would say that my own view is that everybody should have at least one Br103, nicely modelled by Roco, Trix and Piko with the lower cost Fleischmann version a bit more basic but still a perfectly decent model. An aero nose Br110 is another must IMO, Trix and Roco do excellent models. And my final "must" would be a Br120, the ACME model is absolutely stunning and arguably one of the finest HO models ever made (I think the LS Model is the same).

[Shovelto]

German trains from German box-shifters. There's plenty, here's a few in no particular order:

 

http://www.modellbahnshop-lippe.com/

https://shop.lokshop.de/

http://www.aat-net.de/

 

Anything in particular you're looking for? Area, era, modality (freight, passenger, depot, shunting, etc)?

I have used modellbahnshop-lippe for a number of years. Their service is excellent, product always arrives well packed and their prices are competitive. In addition they have a loyalty scheme that give a small cash discount.

 

Another company I use to great effect, and their web site is really well laid out, is http://www.modellbahn-kramm.com/index.cfm?sprache=E

[Ian Morgan]

Also if you manage to get to any more specialised shows...Global Rail at Didcot, or the German Railway Society Show near Birmingham, ...

 

The GRS is presenting Global Rail this year 21st May, at Didcot Civic Hall, Britwell Road, Didcot. OX11 7JN. I don't think they have the show near Birmingham any more. Exhibitions like Global Rail, and EuroTrack (which was last weekend) are more cosmopolitan than most UK exhibitions, and are a good place to find new and second hand items from around the world.

[Hobby]

There's also the annual European Railways Association Exhibition as well... That is the one that is held in Birmingham for the last two years (the GRS stopped a couple of years ago I believe), their third show will be on 30 September in Edgbaston:

 

http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/events/14362-EuropeanRailwaysAssociationExhibition

[Claude_Dreyfus]

Sorry, I meant the European Railways Association show near Birmingham. I was helping out on a friend's layout at Eurotrack on the Saturday; it is one of my favourite shows. Managed to get hold of a Roco Swiss Croc in brown livery. Lovely model.

[Sir TophamHatt]

Thanks   That's loads to be getting on with.

 

Sorry I didn't mention what sort of trains.  I like ones like this:

 

 

and

 

 

are nice

 

OO or HO gauge

[Claude_Dreyfus]

Well, the V220/221 diesel is common enough in H0. The 82 class tank is also available

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/p/PIKO-H0-50041-Tank-Locomotive-Series-82-DB-Wheel-Arrangement-E/1328577029

[steve1]

I would also suggest you buy a copy of Continental Modeller magazine and browse the adverts.

 

http://www.pecopublications.co.uk/continental-modeller.html

 

steve

[andyman7]

DB in 00 is gonna be a challenge to find

 

Roco, Fleischmann and Weinert to DB steam loco's, the V200 is available from Roco. Other manufacturers may also offer suitable goodies.

The Fleischmann V200.1 (dating from 1968) was scaled at 1:82 which is close 

[Bernard Lamb]

The Fleischmann V200.1 (dating from 1968) was scaled at 1:82 which is close 

I have a feeling that some Trix UK models from around that period were to 3.8mm scale, so they would look even better together.

Bernard

[jjb1970]

If you like the V200 then ESU make a very nice model if you have deep pockets and like DCC functionality. Also, for anybody that can't make up their minds whether to do for DC or AC power ESU models are convertible between both systems (personally I've always thought that a classic example of answering a question that nobody asked).

[Mallarddriver]

Hello,

 

I would chose PIKO good quality at a reasonable price.

 

For example this one:

 

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Piko-52601-Diesellok-BR-V-200-1-DB-rot-Ep-III-H0-Digital-NEU-OVP-/152349714440?hash=item2378c02808:g:bQMAAOSwawpXqeDD#shpCntId

 

Kind regards

Soeren

[CloggyDog]

I can only second (third/fourth) the recommendations for Conti-kits, Winco, Scograil, Chris Roberts and Modellbahnshoppe-Lippe - had excellent service from all. Also worth a look at Mount Tabor Models for new RTR German models.

 

I've also had quite a lot of stock via that well known auction site, particularly second hand DDR-era Deutsche Reichsbahn (DR) locos and stock from the likes of Piko, Gützold and Schict which is perfectly serviceable and somewhat cheap!

[jjb1970]

In terms of manufacturers I think all the German HO offerings are good. Roco, Trix, Fleischmann, Piko, LS Models, ACME, Brawa, Gutzold et al all do excellent models. Prices can be a lot higher than for OO but some manufacturers are cheaper than others and some offer older tooling at prices which are very attractively priced. For example Roco still use tooling from the 90’s which can be very well priced and the models are still excellent. OK they may lose the etched brass finery but they still have a wealth of separately applied details, deep relief on bogies, excellent finish, good mechanisms etc. They’re still good enough to mix with the latest tooling and not look out of place.

 

Something else to keep in mind is that old HO can still be excellent and there are some real S/H bargains. I still have Roco 1/87 Eurofima coaches I bought almost 30 years ago and they still look fine alongside newer ACME, LS etc coaches.

 

I’m assuming you know, but in case you don’t, beware Marklin. Not because there is anything wrong with Marklin, but 3 rail AC is still very popular in Germany and some other North European markets (there are plenty of German modellers who see 2 rail DC as being the left field alternative choice) and if you aren’t aware of this it is easy to buy stuff which is useless on most layouts. Unless it is an ESU model and switchable between 2 rail DC and 3 rail AC I suppose.