New/Old Stock LGB - Any Risk?

I got my LGB Stainz on a trip to Germany in 1985. It's received a lot of "love" since then and I've had to replace parts (whistle, front plow, headlight) that have been broken off. Oddly, I've found these parts on eBay.

A couple of things I don't like about the newer Stainz locomotives (not sure if your 1999 model is like this): the formerly raised number and "LGB" lettering became stickers and the drive rods went from metal to plastic. Those things would keep me from buying a newer one - they just look "cheap" now.

Just a fan posted:

I got my LGB Stainz on a trip to Germany in 1985. It's received a lot of "love" since then and I've had to replace parts (whistle, front plow, headlight) that have been broken off. Oddly, I've found these parts on eBay.

A couple of things I don't like about the newer Stainz locomotives (not sure if your 1999 model is like this): the formerly raised number and "LGB" lettering became stickers and the drive rods went from metal to plastic. Those things would keep me from buying a newer one - they just look "cheap" now.

Interesting you don't like the plastic side rods....I never liked the look of the metal ones! 

The set I'm looking at has the plastic rods. I've got nothing wrong with them. 

Have you had any mechanical issues with your Stainz?

SJC posted:

Just a fan posted:

I got my LGB Stainz on a trip to Germany in 1985. It's received a lot of "love" since then and I've had to replace parts (whistle, front plow, headlight) that have been broken off. Oddly, I've found these parts on eBay.

A couple of things I don't like about the newer Stainz locomotives (not sure if your 1999 model is like this): the formerly raised number and "LGB" lettering became stickers and the drive rods went from metal to plastic. Those things would keep me from buying a newer one - they just look "cheap" now.

Interesting you don't like the plastic side rods....I never liked the look of the metal ones! 

The set I'm looking at has the plastic rods. I've got nothing wrong with them. 

Have you had any mechanical issues with your Stainz?

Any mechanical issues with LGB are extremely rare.

SJC posted:

 

Have you had any mechanical issues with your Stainz?

Nope, no mechanical issues ever.

LGB trains are as close to indestructible as you can get.  The only issues I've had are needing to clean or replace wheel pickups on Heavily used engines. Parts are still available, but through third party dealers and at a higher price than LGB of America days.  I'm not aware of the stainz having any major flaws either.  QC became more of an issue near the LGB bankruptsy and marklin takeover and early days of that operation.  QC today is not what it once was, but still not too bad.  I haven't had any issues with modern LGB that could not be resolved. It's just not As bulletproof as in the good old days of German production.  

I'm no expert, but I own the late 1990s Forney modeled after the Disney train.  While I think the overall quality is very good and I'm glad we bought our locomotive, here are things on the other side of the coin to consider:

• Our smoke unit died not long after the purchase.  The design of this engine has the unit buried underneath a lot of other components, so a lot of labor yo get at it.  My LHS said other manufacturers have a much more user friendly interior design. 

• Trying to get necessary parts isn't that easy as most stores don't carry - so you're looking to eBay or meets.  And you're susceptible to prices based on scarcity in some cases. 

• If you prefer to have someone else work on your locomotive (my preference), many brick and mortar store repair guys don't want to work on these things, or will tell you that they are time-intensive due to design and this drives your bill up. 

Which store is having the sale?

LGB being indestructible/ bulletproof is a joke. Most all folks I know that own/ run the LGB Mikado have a new drive block or two sitting on the shelf awaiting to be put into service as those Mike's like to chew up the gear train.

The F7's ain't much better. If these things were bullet proof then why the need for aftermarket gear sets??

If you want bullet proof then buy MTH One-Gauge loco's with all metal gear trains. Or USA Trains Prestige series 0-6-0T, Hudson, Big Boy or GG1...again all metal gear trains.

My apologies for not getting back here sooner.

Aarons City Trains is the store with the sale....once you add their 40% off coupon code. Not a bad price.

Personally, I've always wanted a Stainz for my personal collection. I really like the new-ish Wolfgang Richter Stainz but of course love the "classic" Green and Red versions.

Parts/repairs on a nearly 20 year old train also concern me. I've always had excellent luck and quality with LGB products but again - LGB isn't what it used to be and you can't send a train to San Diego for repairs at LGBoA anymore!

After thinking it over, my primary issue is I find it kind of hard to justify spending $200 on a train I'll really never run. It will stay in the box 99.99% of the time. I'm still thinking about it but again, with no place to run it or even display it, it makes me a bit hesitant. I do see a few of the Richter Stainz tribute locos available...

LGB No worries, many dealers have full stock of parts for repairs if needed.

Train Li is one of the dealers, great people as well.

SJC posted:

Just a fan posted:

I got my LGB Stainz on a trip to Germany in 1985. It's received a lot of "love" since then and I've had to replace parts (whistle, front plow, headlight) that have been broken off. Oddly, I've found these parts on eBay.

A couple of things I don't like about the newer Stainz locomotives (not sure if your 1999 model is like this): the formerly raised number and "LGB" lettering became stickers and the drive rods went from metal to plastic. Those things would keep me from buying a newer one - they just look "cheap" now.

Interesting you don't like the plastic side rods....I never liked the look of the metal ones! 

The set I'm looking at has the plastic rods. I've got nothing wrong with them. 

Have you had any mechanical issues with your Stainz?

I read on G Scale central, that the plastic side rods are more prototypical than the metal ones the earlier Stainz locos had.  By the way, I would not hesitate for a new York Moment to buy an LGB set that was brand new and never run.  

Made in Germany Stainz engine and set components are bullet proof. I have the 30th Anniv. set and couldn't be more pleased. Highly recommended, Buy it.

SJC,

   If you're still on the fence about this the discount is now 50% and I just ordered 1 of the LGB sets. According the website there's only 1 more left