My LGB 2045 loco!

My 2045 did not possess the initialed cab doors.

For those not knowledgeable about the origin of the LGB brand, it was started by two brothers, Eberhard und Wolfgang Richter. The main factory was located at Saganer Strasse in Nuremburg (Nurnburg) then West Germany in 1968. After bankruptcy, the brand came under Marklin's control and most production is now in Hungary.

What road name is the loco?

And is a prototypical, or a fantasy loco?

It is an exact model of an actual early Rhatische Bahn (RhB) electric loco on that famous meter gauge Swiss railway. Their early electric locos were painted brown, including their famous "baby" crocodiles (see photo of this LGB model below).

Ahhhhh the famous Crocodile ! One of my favorite locomotives. I used to have one when I had my LGB travks on my backyard. Those LGB engines could run forever !!!

Does that boxcab have RhB markings? Your pic is too small for me to read the print.

The LGB 2045 is a model of the RhB Ge2/4 boxcab number 205.  This engine was originally delivered in green with no cab end doors.  It was eventually rebuilt with the unique end doors while its sisters were either given switcher bodies or upgraded.  So, it’s a one of a kind loco in effect. MLGB has since made the other variants and road numbers of the Ge2/4.   The original 2045 was released by LGB around 1985.  My collection of the variants.

RhB modern boxcab 221 originally the 203 (1913) rebuilt to 221 (1946)   

RhB 205 built 1913 rebuilt with end doors 1929   Original LGB 2045    

Rhb 202 as delivered green built 1913 rebuilt to switcher 211 in 1943   

RhB switcher 211 rebuilt from boxcab 202 in 1943   

RhB switcher 212 Late Orange rebuilt from boxcab 206 in 1946   

RhB 213 Late Orange rebuilt from boxcab 201 in 1943    

RhB switcher 212 rebuilt from boxcab 206 in 1946   

RhB 203 built 1913 rebuilt into modern boxcab 221 in 1946    

COOL collection!  ☺

In my garden

Regards

Fred

NICE! ☺

GOOD/BAD news: My 2045 was cosmetically perfect and it ran nicely for about 35 minutes, then it slowed down and started sounding like the gears were flying apart and I quickly shut off the power. Then I tried running it in reverse and it ran smoothly as before for about ten minutes until it started making the gear noises again. Then I found the traction tire that had been thrown off and I replaced it with the only one I had in that size (46mm). Engine then ran in reverse fine. Checked the second tire and it basically crumbled off. So I am awaiting a replacement from my dealer for it. Hoping it will allow my engine to run forward again!

This engine has a long-shaft 2200 motor designated as a 2204, and has axle gears that are integral to the wheelsets. Hopefully, my 2045 will not require replacement of either of these components!

My 46.5mm traction tires will arrive tomorrow. Hopefully, my 2045 will run smooth again! 

Alas, upon inspection of the gearbox, I discovered both idler gears were stripped and require replacement. Decided to also replace the motor while I had it further stripped down. 

Interestingly, the motor and gear box chassis drops away quite easily from the cab body for maintenance.

From my many years running LGB locos, I found maintenance to be very simple. 

Good news is ONLY the idler gears were damaged, so replacing them will be easy. Apparently, the lack of proper traction caused and/or contributed to the problem?

Alas, after replacing the motor and idler gears, and while inserting the drive wheels into the frame, I got a little "ham-handed" and sheared off two of the brushes from their spring-loaded holders, and thus have ordered a replacement set! 😐😑

My supplier has overnighted the brush assemblies, and I will be more careful inserting the drive wheels this time!

With a new motor and idler gears, and being already cosmetically perfect, it is practically a new engine!

Alas, engine running but not as smooth as I would expect. 😐 Possibly has a traction tire problem, as the new Marklin/LGB traction tires (brown) are half again as thick as the older (yellow) ones. Will try running without the tires later today.

Runs smooth but noisy without traction tires. Will try to find the thinner yellow tires.

Decided to replace the traction driver wheelset with a regular set. This engine has adequate weight to have sufficient traction without those troublesome tires! Since Marklin/LGB produced several later iterations of the 2045, they are very likely to have the wheelsets as replacement parts.

Wheelset ordered. 

The Marklin/LGB 24450 (2016) has the same gearbox and drive wheels as the LGB 2045 (ca. 1985+). Very likely parts are available.

The LGB 2045, much like its sister 2040 baby crocodile, is a highly detailed model and includes a lok driver. If it were not such a nice looking loco, I would not have put so much effort into repairing it. The wheelset will take 6-8 weeks to arrive from Germany as my supplier uses bundling with small parts orders for economy reasons.

Getting impatient for that part!  😐😑

Another excellent source of LGB parts is Only Trains in Buffalo, MN.

Although my 2045 looks great just sitting on its display track, I am anxious to see it to run again!

My son in law commented on the details on my 2045 last evening.

I have an original LGB Crocodile that was shipped from the factory in Germany a few years before it closed. If anyone is interested Ill post pictures of it. It has been boxed with occasional runtime ever since.  

@Devildog posted:

Ahhhhh the famous Crocodile ! One of my favorite locomotives. I used to have one when I had my LGB travks on my backyard. Those LGB engines could run forever !!!

Piko Crocs are not too shabby either.  Here's mine, pulls five LGB Orient Express Cars.

 Chris S.

VERY NICE! Like the original LGB, PIKO is a quality German made product. I have a PIKO BR-24 steam model and it is a smooth runner. Present LGB is actually made in Gyor, Hungary for Marklin, and is also high quality.