LGB Corpet Louvet

Fitz Orchard

Fitz Orchard

Apprentice Ferroequinologist
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I recently managed to bag a Corpet Louvet in very good condition in the light grey colour. I am trying to establish why on mine there are no rear lights or interior cab light, both of which are referred to in the model description on the LGB owners info sheet which came with the loco. I have seen u tube videos of this model which show two circular light fittings hung on the rear panel of the loco cab - very similar in design to the two front lamps and which also illuminate according to the loco direction of travel.
Does anyone who knows the back story/history of this model know if LGB made different versions over time (which I know did happen with some of their range) and one of which may not have included these fittings? If so I wonder if the parts might be available and a retro install possible - although I have no idea where to start looking for the answers.
Thanks
Fitz
 
The biggest problem you will probably have, is separating the two sections of the rear cab-sheet from each other. - I have never managed to do this.

Otherwise, you will need to be a little 'creative' in wiring this up.

PhilP.
 
Further u-tube research reveals at least 4 bodywork colours (light grey, black, green and scarlet), and 2 cab styles - the half height one mine has and a full rear cab wall with sliding cab windows and the 2 rear lights which are the same "coach lantern" style as the two on the front. (I suspect this is the type that also had the interior light). There also seems to be some of the half height cabs which have slightly simpler circular lights on the rear exterior. Thus I have more or less answered my own question - there were several style versions affecting the rear of the cab. Now to find out whether I can source matching lanterns and work out how to wire them up.
 
I had two open cab versions, for power to the train the early green one had two sockets in/near the rear buffer beam and the later grey one had a square socket in the centre of the rear cab section. Beautiful locos and I wish I had kept the grey one.
 
I had an early one, with no rear lamps, so I added GRS whitemetal lamps (code AM12) and put in lenses and bicolour LEDs when I converted it to RC/battery. Unfortunately it seems they no longer sell the metal 'European Loco Lamps', which were a more pleasing shape.
IMG_4852 (Medium).JPEG
 
Last edited:
Op:
Re the original “ LGB offerings.
I have the original LGB green, red, gray, and black versions. Yes, I like them a lot. lol.

Yes there are different version models, some with the open 1/2 back wall (green and grey liveries), closed cab , full wall with sliding windows, with rear lights and roof lamp (red and black liveries). I believe the uk red version (Cambria) with red drive rods was also closed cab with reverse lamps.

I am unaware of any LGB half wall versions with lights that were original.

The fact that your manual refers to a cab light, in my opinion, simply means that LGB printed the manual so that they would not have need to have individual manual versions for each version of the locomotive.

Then, there are the marklin versions, basically the same, but with more subtle colors. And quite a bit more costly.

Personally, I am reluctant to permanently alter my LGB locomotives. However, I do understand, wanting rear lanterns. I imagine you could find some appropriate LGB lanterns that would flush mount against the rear wall and you could wire them from the rear power socket. Or you could find some lanterns with a “foot“ and perhaps trim the rear wall to accommodate the foot and mount them at buffer height.

Or, for rather inelegant, but un altering alternative, I suppose you could buy some of the LGB German style tail lanterns, and simply rotate them to the milky lens, and then find a clear lens. I know firsthand that the clear lens from the US style caboose lanterns does fit the opening on the German Style tail lamps. I can also tell you that inserting a bulb in the lantern, without the rear reflector which most lights have, provides an unusual lamp. It will light brightly, but it will not have much of a beam. (I have tried this.meh)

If you use the power socket to power the lights, this would be track power, and the lights would change brightness with the speed of the locomotive. Or, obviously, you could get some appropriately voltage balanced LEDs, which would remain constant in brightness. Or, fit a voltage regulator in order to use 5v incandescent bulbs. The should be the 2 pin type bulbs. Finding the sockets might be a problem, haven’t tried. or, you could use the standard LGB screw in bulb, (bulb type 5.5 ) and find replacement LED lamps, which typically will light brightly at a much lower voltage and handle up to 12 or 15 V. I would try to find lanterns that have the bulb inserted from the back of the lantern rather than up through the bottom good luck.
Massoth 8129530 might be an option. Small, flat led, 5v .


I have not seen any spare parts for Corpets.
 
Last edited:
stevedenver said:
Op:
Re the original “ LGB offerings.
I have the original LGB green, red, gray, and black versions. Yes, I like them a lot. lol.

Yes there are different version models, some with the open 1/2 back wall (green and grey liveries), closed cab , full wall with sliding windows, with rear lights and roof lamp (red and black liveries). I believe the uk red version (Cambria) with red drive rods was also closed cab with reverse lamps.

I am unaware of any LGB half wall versions with lights that were original.

The fact that your manual refers to a cab light, in my opinion, simply means that LGB printed the manual so that they would not have need to have individual manual versions for each version of the locomotive.

Then, there are the marklin versions, basically the same, but with more subtle colors. And quite a bit more costly.

Personally, I am reluctant to permanently alter my LGB locomotives. However, I do understand, wanting rear lanterns. I imagine you could find some appropriate LGB lanterns that would flush mount against the rear wall and you could wire them from the rear power socket. Or you could find some lanterns with a “foot“ and perhaps trim the rear wall to accommodate the foot and mount them at buffer height.

Or, for rather inelegant, but un altering alternative, I suppose you could buy some of the LGB German style tail lanterns, and simply rotate them to the milky lens, and then find a clear lens. I know firsthand that the clear lens from the US style caboose lanterns does fit the opening on the German Style tail lamps. I can also tell you that inserting a bulb in the lantern, without the rear reflector which most lights have, provides an unusual lamp. It will light brightly, but it will not have much of a beam. (I have tried this.meh)

If you use the power socket to power the lights, this would be track power, and the lights would change brightness with the speed of the locomotive. Or, obviously, you could get some appropriately voltage balanced LEDs, which would remain constant in brightness. Or, fit a voltage regulator in order to use 5v incandescent bulbs. The should be the 2 pin type bulbs. Finding the sockets might be a problem, haven’t tried. or, you could use the standard LGB screw in bulb, (bulb type 5.5 ) and find replacement LED lamps, which typically will light brightly at a much lower voltage and handle up to 12 or 15 V. I would try to find lanterns that have the bulb inserted from the back of the lantern rather than up through the bottom good luck.
Massoth 8129530 might be an option. Small, flat led, 5v .


I have not seen any spare parts for Corpets.
Click to expand...
At some stage during the true LGB demise boxes of spare parts were sold off with them appearing on Ebay including many parts from many bits of LGB trains, many Corpet parts were included as well. I bought some Tram spares, sadly those days long gone and presumably the parts all sold off via Ebay.
 
viaEstrecha said:
Yes. They're a bit boring but do the trick- the 'European' ones no longer listed by GRSUK were a better match for LGB. For lenses, I used clear acrylic disks, sold as bases for wargaming characters, fixed in with "Glue'n'Glaze".
Click to expand...
OK You've got me. You listed code AM12 and these are code AM12 - go figure. :mm:
 
Doddy said:
OK You've got me. You listed code AM12 and these are code AM12 - go figure. :mm:
Click to expand...
The ones on the rear of my Corpet are the indeed cube-like GRS AM12 'Loco Lamps'. The ones I would have preferred to use but which are unfortunately out of stock at GRS - are these, which were sold as 'European Loco Lamps':
IMG_3564 (Medium).JPEG
 
dunnyrail said:
At some stage during the true LGB demise boxes of spare parts were sold off with them appearing on Ebay including many parts from many bits of LGB trains, many Corpet parts were included as well. I bought some Tram spares, sadly those days long gone and presumably the parts all sold off via Ebay.
Click to expand...
stevedenver said:
Op:
Re the original “ LGB offerings.
I have the original LGB green, red, gray, and black versions. Yes, I like them a lot. lol.

Yes there are different version models, some with the open 1/2 back wall (green and grey liveries), closed cab , full wall with sliding windows, with rear lights and roof lamp (red and black liveries). I believe the uk red version (Cambria) with red drive rods was also closed cab with reverse lamps.

I am unaware of any LGB half wall versions with lights that were original.

The fact that your manual refers to a cab light, in my opinion, simply means that LGB printed the manual so that they would not have need to have individual manual versions for each version of the locomotive.

Then, there are the marklin versions, basically the same, but with more subtle colors. And quite a bit more costly.

Personally, I am reluctant to permanently alter my LGB locomotives. However, I do understand, wanting rear lanterns. I imagine you could find some appropriate LGB lanterns that would flush mount against the rear wall and you could wire them from the rear power socket. Or you could find some lanterns with a “foot“ and perhaps trim the rear wall to accommodate the foot and mount them at buffer height.

Or, for rather inelegant, but un altering alternative, I suppose you could buy some of the LGB German style tail lanterns, and simply rotate them to the milky lens, and then find a clear lens. I know firsthand that the clear lens from the US style caboose lanterns does fit the opening on the German Style tail lamps. I can also tell you that inserting a bulb in the lantern, without the rear reflector which most lights have, provides an unusual lamp. It will light brightly, but it will not have much of a beam. (I have tried this.meh)

If you use the power socket to power the lights, this would be track power, and the lights would change brightness with the speed of the locomotive. Or, obviously, you could get some appropriately voltage balanced LEDs, which would remain constant in brightness. Or, fit a voltage regulator in order to use 5v incandescent bulbs. The should be the 2 pin type bulbs. Finding the sockets might be a problem, haven’t tried. or, you could use the standard LGB screw in bulb, (bulb type 5.5 ) and find replacement LED lamps, which typically will light brightly at a much lower voltage and handle up to 12 or 15 V. I would try to find lanterns that have the bulb inserted from the back of the lantern rather than up through the bottom good luck.
Massoth 8129530 might be an option. Small, flat led, 5v .


I have not seen any spare parts for Corpets.
Click to expand...
 
You could always, as I try to, apply prototypical thinking if possible. Corpet-Louvet built over 800 of these things and the majority worked on the French CFD Voie Metrique lines. With the exception of one of them shunting I don't think I have any photos of them hauling trains cab first. No rear lights needed in that case. Their short wheelbase allowed them to be turned each trip on little inset turntables like heavier duty wagon ones. That might be why both of my branches have return loops half hidden by shrubs and buildings. An odd solution but it has another advantage in letting me set a train pottering off to disappear and reappear around the garden apparently independent of the hand of human which is otherwise engaged holding a beer while I sit in the garden with the Massoth Navigator in reach just in case,.......

As the saying goes, it's my railway
 
Last edited:
Try as I might..
I never managed to get the two lower sections of the Corpet rear cab apart..

This made altering the wiring impossible, so thwarting my efforts.

PhilP.
 
PhilP said:
That is what I thought..

But, not being my model, there is only a certain amount of force I was prepared to apply.

PhilP.
Click to expand...
Do get that, I remember the faff fitting one of my Corpets with sound. Put the speaker in the roof and drilled a hole in the front of the cab to go into the side tank, quite invisible with the wires going up the front under the roof wrapped in black shrink wrap.
 
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