LGB Motive Power

The legendary LGB, ahh what a story. Now in the middle of it's "second" bankruptcy in 2009, who knows what will happen.

Legendary quality (at least the stuff made in Germany), and workmanship.

A tip from Wendell Hanks:

On the Big Train World Netherlands website at www.bigtrainworld.com, click "LGB onderdelen Database" (left side on home page) listed are over 100 LGB loco exploded parts diagrams listed by LGB locomotive numbers.

http://fgb-berlin.de/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=67&Itemid=49&lang=en

 

Many people have questions about converting these locos to DCC or other systems.

Many of the latest locos will have a DCC decoder in them, but it's usually the crippled LGB system, 14 speed steps only, and limited capability.

The newer units that are "DCC ready" often have a 10 pin header on the "main board" that interconnects lights, motors, etc.

You can buy a 10 pin connector from All Electronics, CON-2410:

From the top:

Black - PWR - (outside black 1st location on connector) 

Black - GND - (inside black 2nd location on connector) 

Purple- Front light (other connectors have had a white wire here)

Gray - Motor +  

Brown - Track +  

Blue - Track -

Green - Motor -

Yellow - Rear light 

Orange - F2 - (not used for QSI)

Red - F1 -  (not used for QSI) 

Some earlier locos have a motor block with 4 pins, so you can split up the track from the motor, see the LGB Acela.

Even earlier, it's often that the motor block only has 3 pins. Internally, one motor lead is connected to a track pickup. These have to be pulled apart, and the connection between the motor and the track separated, and a wire attached to that lead.

Quick notes in disassembling an LGB 2-6-0 Mogul:

The cab roof comes off with 3 screws, 2 in front, one in back.

The boiler section that is inside the cab comes of with 4 screws from underneath. The air cylinders underneath may have to be pulled off, normally the glue just gives way.

You should able to slide the cab back away from the rest of the boiler.

Remove the 2 brass handrails on either side of the boiler. There are two small screws underneath to remove the boiler.

I believe you pull the boiler forward to clear the circuit board.