My first encounter with LGB was about 1978 with a starter passenger set consisting of a Henschel 0-4-0 and two coaches with interior detailing. These early sets for the US market did NOT include a transformer, and most folks used a separately acquired MRC power pack. LGB used high quality polymers such as BASF Luran-S and Vestilene, plus auto-quality enamel finishes. The track could withstand the weight of an elephant ("Uncle Otto" at the Berlin Zoo in one famous advert).

The power units were seven-pole Buehler can motors, which utilized ball-thrust bearings on each end of the armature shafts.

I quickly moved up to the larger and more powerful locos, such as the twin-motored Rhatische Bahn narrow gauge Krocodile and the large Austrian Bo-Bo twin-motored Diesel Lok.

The larger passenger cars had wonderful interior detailing, including restrooms.

LGB had dependable and smooth motors and gearing, and could withstand almost continuous commercial operation longer than any other brand.

When they added digital sound, their systems had crisp recorded whistles, vacuum brake sounds, and even electrical relays switching on the electric locos!

LGB were the plastic equivalent of prewar tinplate with their bright colors and large size. I once owned quite a few engines and cars, and even their version of a live steam engine, the "Frank S", actually manufactured by Aster of Japan for E. P Lehmann.

In their forty-year (1968-2008) history, the Richter family produced high quality products, which will stand the test of time!

It should be noted that LGB trains were specially desigened for all-weather use:

1. High grade polymers such as Luran S and Vestilene - NOT your everyday "plastics".

2. Sealed motor units with enclosed gearing.

3. Automotive quality paints - the SAME as used on Mercedes automobiles.

4. The track and the polymers mentioned above were highly resistant to UV radiation.

5. LGB trains could and did often run in snow!

6. Metal parts were also fabricated from high grade materials.

LGB trains were never "cheap", but they did not compromise quality. The German production LGB was as good or better than Marklin.

Art,

Couldn't agree more. I got into LGB after my HO phase because I wanted something larger that actually stayed on the track. I love the stuff- especially the older production from the early 80's.

The Crocodile is one fine running locomotive.

I think the digital sounds were pretty impressive, but I like the older analog better. I think it fits with the whole toy thing.

~Eric

Thanks Tinplate Art!

Throughout the 1980's, I was the main LGB repairman in Nashville. I had access to parts, including motors, and did quite a bit of commercial servicing for restaurants and museums. I sold and repaired LGB trains for several of Nashville's old-line wealthy families in Belle Meade. I was fortunate to be able to purchase my own LGB trains at a substantial discount, by having local dealers refer customers to me for service.

The main servicing for restaurants and museums consisted of motor replacement and cleaning/lubrication, due to their daily usage. Home repairs were usually due to broken parts or rough handling by children, but seldom any motor issues.

LGB is great, and I have a lot of it, but the tinplate fan in me REALLY likes the Marklin MAXI line, which I also have a whole lot of.

Both MAXI and LGB are now pretty much fallen flags--LGB is now owned by Marklin, and Marklin discontinued the all-metal MAXI line (1:32 scale)several years ago--but I'm glad I have a good number of both types/brands of trains.

The MAXI line, in particular goes GREAT with Lionel, MTH, and other Standard Gauge accessories.

I have to agree. There's a public display layout out in Palm Springs that features LGB trains and they've held up very well.

Allan:

The Marklin MAXI are also wonderful tinplate models!! I came close several times (I didn't call myself "Multi-Gauge Art" for nothing! ), but never quite took the plunge. A good friend here in Nashville was a Marklin dealer for a while, and I did own a Gauge One green Krocodile for a short period (now, THAT is one fine model locomotive!).

He had a few MAXI starter sets and even a Marklin MAXI display with an operating set. I particularly liked the steeple cab loco. By the way, my wife has a Marklin Eifel Tower construction set, but so far she has only finished the four legs of the six-foot model!

I was able to get my hands on 12 pr. of Maxi american freight car trucks that I put under some restored 500 series Lionel freight cars. I put the longer starter loco's motor under a #10. I also put Lionel 500 series trucks under the Maxi caboose. I still need to do some passenger cars but that'll wait till latter this year. It's too bad Marklin's new owners will not be making the Maxi line any longer.
Tumbleweed