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The holy grail for a LGB fan?

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The holy grail for a LGB fan?
Posted by Vintagesteamer on Sunday, October 9, 2022 8:00 AM

For me this is it, the live steam version of the iconic LGB Stainz locomotive.  Made in a one time batch by Regner in Germany for thier anniversary a few years ago.  Got this as part of a engine swap, she needs some work before she can run again.  Previous owner was oblivious to proper upkeep/cleaning when running on a ground level railway and the dirt/grime wore out the Allen valve gear, there is so much slop that she wont run right now.   Awaiting a reply from Regner on parts and cost so I can get her going again.   She as absolutlely filthy when I got her.  Nearly 4 hours of cleaning with Q tips and WD40 to flush and polish her back to this condition.  For those that get into live steam, always plan on 1 hour or more to properly clean up your engine after EVERY steam up.  Not after every run, so you can run it several times that day or event, but when you get home, clean up your engine, flush the grit and grime from the side rods and axle bearings.  Its like liquid sandpaper.   Anyhow, here is the Regner Stainz.  She has full RC control as well.    Mike

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Sunday, October 9, 2022 9:08 AM

Hi Mike! What a cool engine! I really love the look of the Stainz,it grew on me over the years. Hope you can get the parts for it.

Paul

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Posted by Vintagesteamer on Sunday, October 9, 2022 9:11 AM

Thanks Paul, when I was chatting with Regner via email for parts on another engine I mention I had this coming. And they seemed to indicate that parts were available and to let them know what I needed.  Which I did yesterday, so I hope to hear back this week.  Mike

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Sunday, October 9, 2022 9:16 AM

Fantastic!

Paul

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Posted by PVT Kanaka on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 1:27 AM

MIke,

 

Great find!  Please keep us posted.  Love 'em or hate 'em, the STAINZ is the "brand face" of the large scale hobby.  It'll be nice to see this tribute piece running again!

 

Eric

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Posted by Vintagesteamer on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 11:05 AM

I am one that happens to love the Stainz and yes, it really has become the brand face of LGB and the resurgance of G scale and garden railroading in the USA since LGB led the way with their rock solid starter sets that still put in many miles both under the Christmas tree and in the garden.  My old 2020 Stainz still runs as good as the day it was new. Kind of wish Regner had put that style of valve gear on the live steam model vs the prototypically correct Allen gear that has tiny eccentics that are prone to wear being an outside valve gear design.   Hopefully Regner will have some good news for me soon on parts.   Mike

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 6:31 PM

The Stainz is a classic, and it's actually a very good model, if you ever look at pictures of the full size engine. The iconic look, and LGB's calling card....

Paul

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Posted by Vintagesteamer on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 8:00 PM

Yep, they took a little known engine(outside of the Muratal valley of Austria) and made it known world wide.  Regner has done several of LGB's engines in live steam and all are hard to find/expensive.  They have done the U class 0-6-2t, the SEG 0-6-6-0 Mallet, the Stainz and the HSB 2-10-2t.   A dealer in the UK has a 2nd hand Staniz that is ready to run for sale. But the price is not for the faint of heart at 1895 pounds or around $2K. But it was a very limited edition of 200 of each version(2 versions made) made for Regners 25th anniversary.  

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Posted by PVT Kanaka on Friday, October 14, 2022 11:41 PM

Regner also just did LGB's steam tram (LGB 205), the Fiery Elias / Feueriger Elias.   The LGB model is our family favorite, and, if ca$h fell from the sky, I would have the live steam twin!

 

Eric

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Posted by Vintagesteamer on Saturday, October 15, 2022 10:22 AM

Save your pennies, you can get the Paul tram as a kit to save a little money, its also set up for easy RC control install.  I had one, I might get another or one of the other Regner engines depending on how good my profit sharing check is next March.  Regner did the 2-10-2t of the Harz narrow gauge railway a few years ago, I would love to find one, or they offer a nice 2-8-0t engine kit or 0-6-0 rtr right now.   The Paul tram is part of the Easy Line of more affordable models and its gear driven, so no runaway train issues.   

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Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Saturday, October 15, 2022 6:22 PM

Here's a blast from the past:

 in'68, I was subscribing to Model Railroder magazine. There was a column called" Hobby Shop Window" where they highlighted new products. There was a picture apparently at a trade show of a mock up of a hobby shop front with a large scale track coming out through openings in the structure. And they mentioned a new train by a German company called Lehmann that was able to run indoors and outdoors.

  Also, somewhere I have the issue with the product review, and a photo of the Stainz split open to show the gear case.

 And lastly, it was originally being marketed as K gauge ( K for King), but very quickly became G gauge ( G for garden, or garten).

Paul

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Posted by Vintagesteamer on Monday, October 17, 2022 1:08 PM

I remember those articles from some old magazines I had at one time.  I remember The Great Train Store that was in the Indianapolis Union Station back when it was a shopping center full of boutique stores.  It had loops of G scale, one of which came out and infront of the sign on the outside of the store.  Lehmann really put gauge 1/G scale back on the front burner in the USA with their line of weatherproof indoor/outdoor trains.   Heck, my original LGB track, some of which has been outdoors for 20+ years is still in good shape and in use.  Only thing I upgraded were the plastic wheels to their metal ones on all my cars.  

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