To all:

On January 20, Dave Watts sent me responses to questions I asked regarding the availability of LGB parts from an outsource.  Here are his responses:

Wendell:  Does the list of parts outsourced include: loco shoes, brushes, light bulbs, smoke units, cleaning wheels, magnets, and motors?
Dave:  There may have been changes since the December Garden RR ad was sent to Marc Horovitz.

(Here is a summary his product availability sent by e-mail. He stated that all of these products are from the identical manufacturer. I removed the prices to stay consistent with the purpose of this posting.) 

63218 LGB loco shoes, the newer "waffle" shoe, a pair, is now available in a four-pack
63110 LGB short carbon brushes is now available in an 8 pack
63120 LGB 4 short and 4 long brushes are now available as an 8 pack -- can be 8 long ones in pack.
68501 LGB yellow tinted 18 volt screw-in bulb - single or in package of 25
68502 LGB screw-in bulb with socket and wires sold each and in a two pack
68511 LGB 10 clear 5 volt plug-in micro bulbs 
68513 LGB 10 clear 24 volt plug-in micro bulbs 
LGB 19 volt clear micro bulbs, not before available, in a 10 pack 
65853 LGB 5 volt smoke unit 
65553 LGB 24 volt smoke unit 
67005 LGB track cleaning pad replacements for LGB 50050 in a 4 pack.
67267 LGB track cleaning wheels for 20670 locomotive in 4 pack
LGB track cleaning pad replacement for LGB 50040 now available - price not set.
17010 LGB activation magnet as a pair.
Motors are unfortunately not available.

Wendell:  Is it accurate the parts purchased will not be in LGB brand packaging.
Dave: That is correct. They could not be packaged in LGB brand packaging as that would be a violation of trademark laws, but there is not exclusivity to these manufacturer's selling their wares in other packaging.

Wendell:  Are there other out-sourced parts you have planned to have produced and wish announced?
Dave: Yes, there are several very exciting products now available.  We have secured a cache of the LGB 55021 and 55027 loco decoders as well as the extremely rare LGB 55024 individual turnout decoders.
We also have the unbelievable smoking units from the LGB 24812 Harz chuffing locomotives, which were offered immediately before LGB went out of business. We are testing them to retrofit them into other LGB locomotives. These iunits actually have a fan that turns on and off with the chuffing beats of the locomotive...most exciting!

Wendell:  Is there any conflict with LGB of American re: your outsourcing?
Dave: None, as these are the manufacturers that had previously supplied LGB and when LGB went out of business their old contracts were nuill and void allowing these manufacturers to sell directly to anyone. Things may change in the future with Marklin coming on board, but only time will tell. Buy them while they are available, better a decoder in the hand then one in the factory!

Very best wishes,
Dave

Wendell Hanks