LGB 21671 (and 21672), new track cleaning loco in 2021

[Markku]

LGB just recently announced their 2021 new products, and new track cleaning locos are there: 21671, and 21672 for UP fans.

Track Cleaning Locomotive | Märklin

First time with an mfx/DCC sound decoder. Cleaning function and running sounds will also work in analog operation.This is a model of a tracklaying machine

www.lgb.com

USA Track Cleaning Locomotive | Märklin

First time with an mfx/DCC sound decoder. Cleaning function and running sounds will also work in analog operation.This is a model of a tracklaying machine

www.lgb.com

I have to say I'm interested, even though I don't have a layout yet (And if I had, it would be covered with 40-70 cm of snow at the very moment! How many Stainzes would be needed to push the snow plow that could handle that...?)

I presume the new models drive very much like the previous 21670. How practical is a track cleaning loco without using the cleaning motor, I mean, is it suitable for also used as a normal loco when not cleaning? It has the couplers sure, but from the pictures it looks like the cleaning wheels are down on the tracks all the time.

 

[LGeoB]

LGB just recently announced their 2021 new products, and new track cleaning locos are there: 21671, and 21672 for UP fans.

Track Cleaning Locomotive | Märklin

First time with an mfx/DCC sound decoder. Cleaning function and running sounds will also work in analog operation.This is a model of a tracklaying machine

www.lgb.com

USA Track Cleaning Locomotive | Märklin

First time with an mfx/DCC sound decoder. Cleaning function and running sounds will also work in analog operation.This is a model of a tracklaying machine

www.lgb.com

I have to say I'm interested, even though I don't have a layout yet (And if I had, it would be covered with 40-70 cm of snow at the very moment! How many Stainzes would be needed to push the snow plow that could handle that...?)

I presume the new models drive very much like the previous 21670. How practical is a track cleaning loco without using the cleaning motor, I mean, is it suitable for also used as a normal loco when not cleaning? It has the couplers sure, but from the pictures it looks like the cleaning wheels are down on the tracks all the time.

I've used my track cleaning loco as an ordinary one. The cleaning wheels just freewheel when the motor for them is not activated.

Geoff

 

[LGB333]

When the Track Cleaning Loco is in cleaning mode, it makes such a loud racket it will muffle the sound system. So I don't know why the expended additional manufacturing costs to install the onboard sound decoder into this unit...........I believe only a few hobbyists use them for pulling rolling stock. So expect to pay more for these two new models than the prior versions. And the track cleaning function causes a lot of heat on the circuit boards which makes them more prone to failing anyway...........so more expensive to replace the boards when these units fail and need repair. Anyway, my opinion it's not a good technical approach to add the sound feature to these new models.

I'm an LGB Dealer and Authorized LGB Service Center if any USA hobbyists want to order one of these two new Track Cleaner Locos: LGB 21671 and LGB 21672 (Union Pacific Roadname). Marklin hasn't released the pricing yet but I'm attending a Marklin USA Webinar for LGB Dealers next Thursday which will discuss the 2021 Production Releases and I'll then post the MSRP and my price for the two new Track Cleaners. I've also loaded the LGB 2021 New Items Catalog PDF onto my Website you can download.

Thomas White
Old Dominion Railways - LGB Trains
LGB Trains | Old Dominion Railways | Repairs & DCC Installs | United States

 

[ntpntpntp]

I agree, sound will be a complete waste of time on one of these when it's actually cleaning ! Additional expense for little benefit.

 

[PhilP]

Could it be Marklin is going for a 'one size fits all' decoder solution?

It may make financial sense, for them to reduce the variety of decoders offered.
More economical to make a greater number of one decoder, perhaps?

PhilP

 

[LGB333]

Could it be Marklin is going for a 'one size fits all' decoder solution?

It may make financial sense, for them to reduce the variety of decoders offered.
More economical to make a greater number of one decoder, perhaps?

PhilP

PhiP - Good point. I thumbed through the LGB 2020 General Catalog and every locomotive listed has sound except the Stainz starter sets and LGB 27631 Coca-Cola shunting diesel ( (With DCC Decoder Interface Socket) and LGB 200064 Coca-Cola Crew Car (No DCC Decoder Interface). So your theory may be right on the money!

 

[dunnyrail]

Could it be Marklin is going for a 'one size fits all' decoder solution?

It may make financial sense, for them to reduce the variety of decoders offered.
More economical to make a greater number of one decoder, perhaps?

PhilP

Yes remember the days when LGB were fitting a non-sound MTS decoder as a standard board to many of their traction pieces. Got so many moans from numpties that did not want or need decoder fitted machines that LGB stopped doing it. This of course upped the price considerably for those that wanted MTS and now had to pay higher prices for one, even more if you could not or did not want to fit it yourself. It has been said by many that a decoder fitted loco runs better than a non fitted one on analogue as well! Hm numpties.....

 

[PhilP]

Knowing the abuse, and what the cleaning loco is meant for... I think this is not the most intelligent of decisions?

Get plenty of these machines where the standard electronics has failed, due to spike's, dropouts, etc.
Personally, I always put an XL in the loco, and a bridge rectifier and relay for the cleaning motor..

Will be interesting to see how they fair in the real world?

PhilP

 

[Greg Elmassian]

I've used dual decoders so I could control the cleaning motor separately. I agree the sound option is a waste, but soon they won't be making decoders without sound....

Greg

 

[Dan]

On a side note, I recently fixed an old LGB digital track cleaner with the MD board. Only issue is lights are way to bright and will burn out quickly. I looked at the manual and found I could change the dimming on each function key for the dimming (had to reference the function key and appendix 2). Original value was 15 and for my Zimo system I had to change it to 10. This needed change for each function key. Forward, reverse, cabin, both flashing lights.

 

[eatrains]

Couldn't help but notice the front half of the loco doesn't sit level. Was it always like that?

 

[Gizzy]

Couldn't help but notice the front half of the loco doesn't sit level. Was it always like that?

Mine is fine....

 

[Software Tools]

Couldn't help but notice the front half of the loco doesn't sit level. Was it always like that?

Yes! You need to think of it as a tool, rather than a realistic model of anything much.

 

[PhilP]

How high the front sits will depend on how worn the cleaning wheels are..

New, out of the box, it will sit high.

PhilP

 

[phils2um]

I have to agree that sound doesn't add much but I doubt it adds much to the cost either. We're used to paying retail for replacement decoders. Take a look at what sound decoders for the smaller gauges cost these days. What we're really paying for is the power handling ability in large scale decoders. My guess is that the production cost for Märklin is less than $25, including the cost of the speaker, to add sound. And, as Phil P. said, it does not make sense for Märklin to stock more than 1 or, at most 2 large scale decoders for use in both LGB and Märklin 1 gauge locos. In the long run, it might even lower overall production costs.

As, Jon D alluded too, it's getting to the point where it might cost more to leave the decoder out!

 

[Greg Elmassian]

The costs in the decoders are:

output transistors (cheap)
dram (fairly cheap), a lot more used in a sound decoder
microprocessor (the most expensive component), and while they are getting cheaper, the market is driving to 16 and even 32 bit processors, and more speed.

Actually, the most important scaling factor for a company is often trying to support multiple models, often making one device, and selling 2 versions (same hardware, software turns off features) is CHEAPER than manufacturing 2 completely different models.

Also, remember that the actual manufacturing quantities are small, so small manufacturing runs drive up the per unit price... i.e. make 1000 of one hardware design less money than 500 each of 2 different types.

Greg

 

[LGB333]

Here are the USA prices for the new LGB Track Cleaning Locomotives:
1. LGB 21671 - mfx/dcc/dc sound & lights: MSRP $709.99; Tentative Retail Price $700;
2. LGB 21672 Union Pacific Markings - mfx/dcc/dc sound & lights: MSRP $709.99; Tentative Retail Price $700.

Estimated delivery from Marklin's factory 2nd Quarter 2021. I've found during 2020 that Marklin's estimated delivery dates have mostly slipped due to factory production challenges probably from Covid-19 impacts worldwide. I might have additional status after I attend the LGB Dealers teleconference with Marklin USA this Thursday.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

I'll ad my vote to one of the OP's questions: don't buy it to use it as a regular loco, it's pulling power as a standalone loco is hampered by the extra weight, rolling resistance.

Greg