LS Models 2008/2009 - German releases
Just received the new LS catalogue and it seems to confirm the information posted last year, in that the German models that were produced/announced by Alphatrains now appear as LS... The Bm232 that Alphatrains produced is back, and the Am202 and ABm223 announced but not produced by Alphatrains are also listed. LS don't appear to be continuing Alphatrains' policy of releasing three different running numbers though, and it's unclear whether the LS prodution will offer a different running number to those offered by Alphatrains. LS also intend to release the models in POP livery. However there's no mention of the BDm272, Bctm256/257 orWRtm that Alphatrains announced. Interestingly enough, the Bcm242 which Alphatrains did produce, doesn't appear - I can't imagine that LS are using new moulds ratrher than re-utilising the Alphatrains ones, but it seems strange that the Bcm242 isn't on the list.. Also shown is the E410/184, as previously announced by Alphatrains, but now in both AEG and BBC variants (what's the difference?) and not previously announced, an E310/181 (different version to the Roco model) Finally to rain on Rivarossi's parade, there's an ET403 Donald Duck in IC/EC and Lufthansa colours as four car sets, with further intermedite coaches to follow ....given that the Rivarossi version is flagged as new construction, one's tempted to wonder whether the Rivarossi and LS offerings will be coming from the same moulds?