Large Scale Central

LGB Stainz and Motorized Tender question

Modeling
#1

First off, an apology to the hard core LGB fans who think that kitbashing an original German-made LGB product is blasphemy… SORRY.

Okay, anyways. In 1986 my dad sold off his entire collection of Lionel to get the money to buy me an LGB starter set. When I began the plans for my Freedom Central Railroad, the first thing I need to do was find/invent a story to justify the 0-4-0T meter-gauge Stainz on an industrial shortline in Western New York. (just a touch south of Buffalo). The story was invented and refined over the years, leaving me with a need to rebuild the engine to match the story. Some spare parts off ebay to repair the damages of 20 years at a kid’s hands and I was off to the races.

The story calls for the engine to be rebuilt for American service including the construction of a small slope-back tender (Aristo… they actually look good together.) As time wore on though, my railroad plans got bigger, and the grade from my backyard to my front yard is going to require helper engines. Since the Stainz can handle itself on this grade, I wanted to power the tender for a bit more pull… maybe three cars instead of two. However, I really don’t like the looks of the original powered tender.

My thoughts are to rebuild the slopeback I have using an power brick from LGB to match the speeds. However, since those tenders are commanding a premium over the engine, I thought maybe I could get an abused stainz off ebay and salvage the drive, replacing the locomotive wheels with tender-like wheels. Does anyone know, will the basic Stainz motor block fit the chassis of the tender, or did they use a completely different motor block design?

I know Mik has first hand knowledge on these parts… the question is did he modify his too much to verify they are compatible, lol.

Thanks for any help.

-J.D.

#2

I bought an old Stainz and power tender this afternoon and the first thing I want to do is service it. Has anybody taken an early one apart for service?

#3

try this link http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips9/lgb_2017_tips.html Doug.

#4

That’s certainly interesting… how did I become a Deleted Member?

#5

The same way I get signed out every few days no matter how much I’m on here?

#6

J.D.,
no matter what version drive, the tender drive basically is the same as the matching loco drive. Only difference is a non-traction tyre fitted to the tender drive to allow slippage to occur to supposedly prevent the drives overloading.

While the ealier clamshell type drive is a little more difficult to service/overhaul, I find them to perform admirably. The later sandwich type block may command a higher price but is definately easier to service.

If you go down the DCC route then the earlier drive block (clamshell) is easy to modify. The sandwich drive has an earlier three pin block and the later (post 1998) four pin block which is DCC ready.

#7

A powered tender and a cut up starter set coach is the foundation of one of my critters. Good runner, looks right and with radio control and on board battery. Heavy. Ask the guys that have seen it run, it pulls. Four smooth sides at Doug Matheson’s, the fifth one took some help. Stalls, by slippage, probably needs a sander in front of the wheels.

#8

I cleaned it up yesterday and did some minor repairs on two handrails before putting it back on the rails this morning. I can’t believe how smooth it runs. I have a lot of LGB and it’s the smoothest starter of all my engines!

#9

The maintenance crew gave the new “old” Stainz a cleaning and minor repair of the handrails this weekend and an engineer took it out for a spin this morning. This new (old) engine ran like a champ.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/doug_arnold/_forumfiles/Stainz1.jpg)

#10

if you want smaller wheels on the tender, why don’t you buy a OTTO or a Rusty as buildmaterial. they are even cheaper than Stainzes, and have smaller wheels.

#11

Korm Kormsen said:

if you want smaller wheels on the tender, why don’t you buy a OTTO or a Rusty as buildmaterial. they are even cheaper than Stainzes, and have smaller wheels.

Cannot confirm as I don’t have any of these, but I’d suspect that they run at different speeds. The Stainz and powered tender are a very nice matched set.