LGB Mikado

markrussell1966

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Hi does anybody know the LGB history of this model? I am aware that the really early ones (first edition)had drive issues, but are the later ones with build in DCC and sound better? I used to own one a few years ago and did know this but have forgotten…
 
Hi does anybody know the LGB history of this model? I am aware that the really early ones (first edition)had drive issues, but are the later ones with build in DCC and sound better? I used to own one a few years ago and did know this but have forgotten…

There's a series of blogs from Klaus Storck that details its history model by model




 
Hi, I have been using my SNCF Mikado for over 10 years. No problems, the locomotive was equipped with the onboard decoder from LGB at the time, the sound was bad, I installed an ESU digital decoder.


Same, if its the 22871 then it has all the drive train fixes they developed and should be the most reliable of them all. I installed an ESU 5 XL and Massoth pulsed smoke unit and its a great loco!
 
As I recall, the very first release/issue of the Mikado had a “star drive“ between the motor and the driveshaft. These were like flat plates with angled shallow ‘teeth’ that would intermesh between the two drive plates. Because of this configuration, the star teeth would slip.

Subsequently, they used a style universal ‘u’ joint between the motor shaft and the drive. But the ‘U’ shape would have two prongs that would lodge firmly in the drive receptor piece, no slipping, but as they are plastic and small prongs, I would imagine they could be damaged or broken if the logo was overloaded.

as I recall, the ATSF and Union Pacific versions were among the four original road names in the initial release. I cannot recall the other two road names. I guess, Pennsylvania and New York Central. But I’m not positive.

For a while, LGB would fix the drive issue free of charge.

As of now, I am extremely careful with my Southern Railway Crescent schemed (never existed on a Mike) Mikado. Second version. I run it snd am pleased. Great sound, but only 2 chuffs instead of 4. Too short a tender, too. And, its not 1:22.5, perhaps 1/29?? I added the power condensor for standing sounds, as i run analog track power. Smokes great. Well , that is, profusely, if not synched. I also cored and lighted the classifc lamps..tougher than youd expect. Its a sight. I am very careful with it.

Mike Parts are hard to obtain, if not impossible and I am careful never to overload the locomotive. To me, this means seven or eight , tops, of the very light, styrene, Chinese made, LGB of America US style rolling stock. And this means no grade.

Due to its livery, this is one of my Crimbo engines , often pulling only one or two SR box cars, and a long SR caboose. (At the time, LGB released a red undecorated version with excellent transfers for several roads, including SR. Of course, the Southern never used the long steel caboose style released by LGB.) Nevertheless, it looks great, imho rubber ruler perspective…lol.

Alas, i digress.
The sncf version above is gorgeous. With the aftermarket sound, spectacular.

Get one, you’ll love it.
 
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I have three of the SNCF ones and have not experienced any problems. Admittedly they haven't been used very much. The earliest one had been retrofitted with DCC, but no sound. I have a 65xxx unit waiting to go in. The second one was again DCC'd and had a Phoenix sound unit installed. The last one is the later issue with different running numbers and was factory fitted with DCC and sound. Still haven't got another layout to run them on.
 
LGB did change the 'star' unit to a more rugged connection, but they failed to do thos for the front motor block. Also the motor blocks are different in that the drive shafts went from one bushing to 2 larger bushings. Other issue I had was the drive wheels had half length grooves and you could get wheel failure where only one wheel went out of quarter. I have converted several Mikados from the older motor block to newer motor block but never saw a change in the axles for the grooves. So be careful on how much rolling stock and grades you run this engine on.
 
Most of this thread seems to be dealing with the plastic mikes, and not the White Pass version, made by Aster with LGB innards, that soured relations between the two companies for ever. I had three of these locos before the last one was finally returned to me, with a personal letter from Wolfgang Richter, telling me to use it with 100% confidence and he would stand behind it for ever.

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It has the last and best drive system fitted in desperation by an LGB that had had around 50% of the entire production returned for 'fixing'. The saga fn my ownership occupied a lot of space on My Large Scale for quite a while at the time In the end, the boss the the LGB distributors in UK, The Hobby Company in Leighton Buzzard, gave me one off the pallet and sent me on my way.

That one lasted almost 30 seconds. Taking it back in, he told me that he was going to dump them on the stand at Nurnberg, and demand that something be done. It was - the result was the loco I still have. Sans any other mods - I really can't be assed.
 
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