The Venerable LGB Stainz Loco (and friends)

I have the Fleishmann On30 version of the Stainz 2:

Rusty

I know the Stainz has come to symbolize LGB.  But do you think they would have achieved greater market penetration in the US if they had standardized on the all-black and more modern 2076D, or even an American prototype?  They certainly sold a lot of Moguls!

@Ted S posted:

I know the Stainz has come to symbolize LGB.  But do you think they would have achieved greater market penetration in the US if they had standardized on the all-black and more modern 2076D, or even an American prototype?  They certainly sold a lot of Moguls!

Seems to me LGB had pretty good market penetration in the US.  I picked up my first catalog at La Grange Hobbies (IL) in 1977 or 1978.

Besides, the 2015D wasn't all that hard to "Americanize."

Rusty

I prefer the European models and the 1:22.5 scale suits the 760mm and 1000mm protoypes for the gauge one track. The American standard gauge models are better suited to the 1:32 or 1:29 scale on lower profile rail than the regular LGB track.

Rusty: I have a 2015D and with dual motors it is a powerful puller!

PHOTOS of my Dortmunder and the 30th Anniversary Stainz:

That is actually my set box as received from my dealer! The folded document in that compartment is a certificate of authenticity for this run of 1000.

I have two more German beer cars: a Tucher Pils (Nuremberg) and a Berliner Kindl (Berlin).

An iconic model! I wonder how far across the earth we could get if all the 2010's and 2020's ever produced were lined up nose to tail.

OMG! It would be a Guiness moment to be sure! LOL!

Rusty: Here is a photo of the Amercanized version of the LGB 2015. It is an LGB 2017:

I have the 2017 as well. Bought it in 1985. It ran every Christmas for many years. Still like new in the original box. Very dependable.

The Marshall Field's passenger set from 1984 and the Christmas train my Dad left for me. I remember going to Marshall Field's in Chicago many times in the late 1970s to early 1980s with my dad when he got started with the LGB trains. I think they were the first place in the Chicago area that sold them.

NICE! THANKS for sharing! My one and only visit to Marshall Fields in Chicago was in 1981 and they had a nice display of LGB.

LGB was, and still is, considered a premium import and was initially marketed in the US in high-end retail stores like FAO Schwartz and Marshall Fields. 

Many of the original LGB starter sets first imported into the US came without a power supply, and the buyer had to purchase an MRC power pack to run their train. Later MRC power packs had a pulse feature which was anathema to LGB Buehler motors! Fortunately, most of the MRC packs had a switchable pulse function, and they were safe to use with the LGB motors.

LGB was always a quality product made of high-grade polymers like BASF Luran-S and Vestilene. Paints used were Mercedes Benz quality. Propulsion was by high quality Buehler 7-pole DC motors in sealed gearboxes. Back in the 1980's, I did service work on LGB locos which ran on commercial layouts in restaurants and a museum, and can testify to their ability to operate reliably under punishing conditions.

The early variations of the Stainz locos like the 2015D and the 2017D were interesting because they were the first engines to include a motorized tender, thus considerably increasing the pulling power of these locos.  There is a two wire polarity-observed connection between the engine and tender to insure good electrical conductivity. I am currently enjoying my 2015D!

The respective sockets for the connecting cable between the engine and tender are marked with a + and - so as to allay any possible short.

LGB was responsible for the surge in interest in garden railroading that occurred in the 1980's, especially after the release of the LGB Mogul. Being somewhat afflicted with OCD, I never ran most of my LGB outdoors save some rolling stock I ran behind my LGB live steam "Frank S" and my Roundhouse SR&RL live steam #24. LGB did produce some Sandy River coaches and a combine.

There have been numerous iterations of the humble Stainz loco over the decades and many design changes to improve detailing as well as servicing accessability. The early two-halves gearbox was a bit of a bear to service. The later design had a top access gearbox, where the old motor could easily be removed. Improved cab detailing, constant low voltage (5 V) circuitry for lighting and smoke units, front and rear light bezels, detailed plastic running gear and even a rudimentary chugging sound were just a few of the many improvements made over the decades of production of the ubiquitous Stainz.

Marklin LGB is continuing the tradition of producing the Stainz in starter sets. These locos have a rudimentary chugging sound and smoke. They are continuing the manufacture of the matching motorized tenders, though the engineer/fireman on the Stainz has NO access to the coal supply! Tank engines like the Stainz usually ONLY had small bunkers for their coal supply and NO tender! The original LGB got it right with both their 2015D and the 2017D with open cab backs and deck plates connected to the tender.

My initial exposure and start with LGB/G scale was with a Stainz powered passenger set that my aunt and uncle got for me when they visited his family that actually lived near Nuremburg, Germany.   It came without a power pack as it would have had the 220vt Euro pack when they bought it.  I received a power 120vt power pack in the mail from LGB of America shortly after I got the set gifted to me.  I still have the power pack but not the set anymore.  One day I will get another set to run under our tree each year.   I moved on to live steam and outdoor operation in G scale.    AD

A search brought me to this thread.  I have a garden railroad which is more garden than railroad.  I would like to procure a Stainz locomotive and use it with some small wooden mining cars that I crafted from kits.  I currently use a Regner live steamer but would like the Stainz for times when I don't want to mess with water and butane.  Which Stainz would you recommend and why?  I would prefer pre Marklin.  My LGB knowledge is very limited.  Here is a photo of the Regner.  Thanks!

NICE Regner! Almost any of the original LGB Stainz locos produced in the mid-'90's forward would be a good choice. Most have smoke and rudimentary chugging sounds. Check with Only Trains in Buffalo, MN. Tom Larson usually has a nice selection of pre-owned original LGB locos. Mention that Art sent you! :-)

@Tinplate Art posted:

NICE Regner! Almost any of the original LGB Stainz locos produced in the mid-'90's forward would be a good choice. Most have smoke and rudimentary chugging sounds. Check with Only Trains in Buffalo, MN. Tom Larson usually has a nice selection of pre-owned original LGB locos. Mention that Art sent you! :-)

Thanks Art....will do!

John

I just started to get into LGB this year with the winning of LGB sets and locos from Stout Auctions:

Here's mine:

This one has metal side rods, is a little dusty and is a very smooth runner...

Mark in Oregon

Has anyone attempted to convert a LGB Stainz loco with smoke, sound, and LED's?

@Tinplate Art posted:

Rusty: Here is a photo of the Amercanized version of the LGB 2015. It is an LGB 2017:

Is your tender powered? For some reason mine isn't and the wheels are red too!

I wonder if I can buy a motorized tendervand swap the shells?

@prrhorseshoecurve posted:

Is your tender powered? For some reason mine isn't and the wheels are red too!

The 2016 (produced 1975-1976) never had a powered tender. Your 2016 is from 1976 because it has wiring sockets at the rear of the tender.

This model was replaced in 1977 by the 2017 which has a powered tender. The 2017 was produced 1977-1982.

@prrhorseshoecurve posted:

I just started to get into LGB this year with the winning of LGB sets and locos from Stout Auctions:

You can also add this commemorative set to my collection as well!

The motorized tenders to come up on auctions every now and then. Just look for them

I finally got these two sets.

@Just a fan posted:

Thank you for that valuable info. I did end up buying a duplicate powered tender at a Renningers train meet. That small loco needs it when pulling a long train.