Does anyone here have any experience with the LGB Porter? I’m thinking of getting one, and would like to know how it runs, how much it can pull, can weight be added to increase traction, does it have a working headlight, sound, etc.
Are there any other large scale Porters? I know about the Bachmann Porter, but I prefer a smaller profile. I also know about the Porter-like Ruby from Accucraft, but I don’t really want live steam at this time.
The LGB Porter runs well. It has a headlight, cab light and most have a smoke unit in the stack. It does not have a traction tire on the drivers, so the pulling power is limited. I found it pulls two log cars and a caboose over flat track very well. Weight could be added to aid the pulling power, but this loco’s drive wasn’t designed to pull large loads.
I have the Lehmann version, from what I can tell it’s the same except they just omitted some fiddly bits like the cylinder lubricators, valve rods and nameplates. Mine has a headlight and cab light, but no smoke.
It’s a fun little loco…as was said it’s a bit slippery, but will pull prototypical loads of about 5 empty HLW tipper cars. Plus it still looks good on R-1 curves. Like many small locos, mine tends to stutter on Aristo turnout frogs, but a tender/trail car with more electrical pick-up points would probably cure that.
I’ve seen guys who add real wood beams and link & pin couplers and all that cool stuff, but all they really need straight out of the box is a drab paint job, a driver, and some weathering. 
Ray I got me three of these plus a couple cowtrains…and I’d get more if I could. Its a terrific little loco. It has weights in the tank and in the boiler so it pulls really well for its size. Sure its lacking a bit in detail but this is easily the easiest loco to add details to. I have detailed the backheads of all 3 and added additional details all over the rest, and I bashed two, one simply with a fuel bunker the other a bit more elaborately to resemble an Arizona Copper Co. RR Porter. Anyway if you got the opportunity to get one, go for it, its one of the best little lokies on the market today.
I’ve got a couple.
Got so tired of them stopping on LGB switches, that I made tenders for them and used power-pick-up wheels, fed into the loco. To do this you need to make some internal wire changes, or you will burn out the smoke unit. There’s an article on another site on how to do this.
They won’t stop or stutter on an LGB switch if you hit the frog at warp nine, but they are supposed to just putter around real slow.
jb
John Bouck said:Nothing that a powered frog wouldn't fix, eh!?!
.......................... They won't stop or stutter on an LGB switch if you hit the frog at warp nine, but they are supposed to just putter around real slow. jb
HJ, Been down that route in HOn30 with Peco Electrofrogs…NO THANKS! Wow! were those a PITA the wire properly, and that was under benchwork, be a real nightmare undergorund. Thanks but not thanks, I’ll join the Battery Mafia before I wire electrofrogs again. PS I’ve had 0, nil, zip, nada, negative 1, problems with my porters on my 12000 switches, but by Bachmann saddletanker jambed into the frogs before adding a mess of weight inside the firebox.
I love mine and run it all the time. Been thinking about getting another 1 or 2. Put together some Hartland cars to pull behind. No smoke in mine. At some point I plan to repaint it once I figure out how to take it appart. http://timothydehan.com/redmondcreekrr/lgbporterhartlandproject.htm
I have been wanting 1 of these from day one…I was a the only local LSer I am aware of the other day and he had 1 hidden in the tunnel…we get to running and he says “oh yeah” and out she comes pulling 2 sets of empty LGB Disconnects all with link and pin…now I really gotta have one…Bill had painted his up pretty good and it ran very smoothly!
It was running near a LGB Mogul and an Annie—looked good beside both…now the 45 tonner on the other hand…
cale
Reading write-ups in past issues of ‘16mm today’…the 16mm Association magazine concerning the LGB Porter, they all said what a tough little engine it is! I am currently ‘bashing’ one up to 7/8" scale and it is being fitted with a GRS 32mm chassis, thus making it a 18" gauge locomotive…what fun!!
I just noticed an ad for LGB’s “Disney Big Thunder Mountain” starter set. The loco sure looks like their Porter. Does anyone know if it’s the same? If so, I could get that set, repaint the loco, and ebay the stuff I don’t need.
Ray Dunakin said:Yes, it is the same LGB Porter loco.
I just noticed an ad for LGB's "Disney Big Thunder Mountain" starter set. The loco sure looks like their Porter. Does anyone know if it's the same? If so, I could get that set, repaint the loco, and ebay the stuff I don't need.
Does anyone have the exploded view of the porter? I would like to take it appart to paint.
Thanks
Mine is apart now…being bashed up to 7/8" scale, just take it apart! It all unscrews easy enough.
Quote:Got any firecrackers left over from July 4th? ;)
Does anyone have the exploded view of the porter? I would like to take it appart to paint.
Woohoo! I now have TWO Porters! My wife Cris liked the Porters so much she insisted we get two, which is fine with me. Got 'em both on ebay. Cost a bit more than the retail price for an LGB Porter but not too bad considering they’re out of production.
One is a “Daisy”, the other is part of a Christmas starter set. I plan to convert the Christmas passenger coaches into excursion cars.
timmyd said:
Does anyone have the exploded view of the porter? I would like to take it appart to paint.Thanks
jb
Thanks John. Sorry I have not responded sooner. We are still without power here in the Redmond area. They are saying now by midnight tomorrow… Let’s hope!!!