Large Scale Central

Refurbishing LGB 2040 Crocodile (1990s era)

Modeling Motive Power
#1

Hello all,

I recently bought my first G scale locomotive: a 1990s 2040 Crocodile by LGB. Previous owner had it on display on a rolling road for fifteen years and barely ran it, so it needs a little cleaning up and maintenance to get back to work.

So, I decided to take it apart and do a deep dive into the insides. It’s in very good shape internally, and even had the original factory service manual with replacement fuse inside the main body! The only things that need addressing here are the pins that the doors are mounted too, since they’re starting to rust. I am thinking of replacing them with brass or stainless steel.

(I’d put a picture of the pile of parts here but I’m not allowed to embed more than one thing yet since I’m a new member.)

I took things apart until I was able to entirely remove the 2040-I motor block, which got disassembled and cleaned in warm soapy water to remove most of the old oil and grease. I don’t know if it’s an age thing or too much lube or both, but the whole assembly was slightly sticky.

After cleaning, the gears were re-lubed with a bit of Piko gear grease and the axles got a drop of oil. I discovered that one of the gray plastic crank arms is cracked, but not fully broken yet.

Three outstanding issues remain before I can put that end of the locomotive back together and repeat the process for the 2040-II motor block:

  • No idea what the red wire is for. Blue and yellow run the motor, confirmed with my bench power supply, but red doesn’t seem to be involved. Must be something for the lights?
  • The blue wire is frayed and down to a few strands where it’s soldered to the motor block. I don’t have a source for the old crimp connectors so I need to preserve this wire as much as possible. Easy enough to do with a solder sleeve and some new wire.
  • Lastly, the side rods are in bad shape. They’re sticky and turning funny colors:

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Does anybody have any recommendations for getting these back to their original shiny state? I’m comfortable with touching up the black paint accents if cleaning and restoration ends up removing them.

1 Like
#2

I think doing what you are doing is a good thing, always nice to know what inside the motor drives and what condition they are in. Old LGB grease does get somewhat hard and loses its lubing needs for the gears, etc., so a re-lub is needed, plus cleaning the side rods, etc, plus a re-lubing is needed at this time. The other parts you talked about with the rust on them is common for these parts for and engine of that age, but if it was me I would lightly sand, or use steel wool and scuff then clean, wipe with a rust preventive and re install. LGB did make quality models and keeping then lubed will in most cases out last us all. I will add here that I have converted all my LGB engines to RailPro battery power, you won’t believe how smooth and slow your engine will run, it’s like a different engine with RailPro, check it out.

#3

Welcome Benjamin,
I know nothing about that locomotive. However if the side rods are aluminum you can probably wet sand them down. Start with 600grit to remove the crap then go to 800 then 1000 and if you want to get anal you can go 1500 or more. However I do not know the material and only guessing.

As for the wiring perhaps this helps.

#4

Welcome, Benjamin!

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#5

i am not a sparky, but i never have seen any LGB, where blue and yellow run the motor.
with LGB always from the trafo/controller to the motor red is DC +, and blue is DC -.

i would take a second look, if it may be a non original rewired loco.

and be welcome!