Extreme reliability, high precision and efficient distribution are the cornerstones of German products sold around the world, especially engineered products. Can we therefore expect the same form LGB model trains and accessories? Marklin are the biggest distributors of model trains, probably in Europe and they distribute LGB products in Germany and elsewhere.
Marklin also promote other Model brands and that means LGB have to at least hold their own against other German manufacturers. They have to compete head on in terms of quality and price because they do have stiff competition. The Marklin own brand for instance and 4MFOR and TRIX brands are all fabricated in German workshops. In fact these brands do compete very well with each other according to Marklin.
There is always a big but though, because in the opinion of many: they are so good, so clean, well-defined and accurate that they look pristine and when the aging process is applied they just look dirty. Unrealistic. Whether or not this is the case is uncertain and modellers wonder if the German method of aging a layout is the same as in the US. Many modelers to believe the aging process will be different because a lot of the finishes of these models are epoxy sprayed and some are powder coated.
It has to be said that in the garden LGB layouts do look spectacular even if a bit sanitized. LGB is famous for producing G scale model trains and layouts and they also produce some kits. Very many G scale layouts run around the garden so it makes sense to have robust finishes although it is hard to imagine the layout being misused just because it is outside. There are very few if any gimmicks with their systems, locomotives, track or rolling stock, because their models are actual miniatures of the real thing and just as with all the to p manufacturers, that is what you get.
Prices are relatively high, and without too much study on a like for like basis LGB products are sold at a premium of around 15