LGB RACK LOCOS (Electric) Weight differences)

stevelewis

stevelewis

Registered
I currebtly own 2 LGB Rack locos (electric outline)

1 Yellow one 22460 recently obtained from a well know GSC member approx 15 years old and one of the current production 23460 ones which arrived today.

Reference to the LGB 'LOK' book shows these 2 locos ( and all other Rack locos featured ) weigg 3000 grammes.

However I noticed that the new one felt lighter than the yellow one so I weighed them .

The Yellow one weighs 3079 grammes ( it has a heavy speaker installed which no doubt accounts for the additional weight)

The 23460 weighs only 2149 grammes so there is an approx 900gm difference, I am aware that Marklin are now using lighter metal for their ballast weights ( due to EU legislation??)

interestingly though both locos quite happily hauled 24 axles up my gradient ( non rack approx 1 in 30 ish) which leads to storage sidings.

No doubt the authors of the LGB book assumed that all the rack locos were the same weight.

There is ample room inside these locos so if I felt inclined I could easily add some extra lumps of lead.
 
Same goes for the LGB RhB 2/4 Bügeleisen locomotives, the older versions are about 1 kg heavier than the current production. And probably as you have figured out. Lead is harmful, but as dead weight all covered up inside a locomotive or a tractor one would think that it would be out of harms way.
 
I noticed though that a recently purchased DR Mallet ( Marklin production) Felt just as heavy as all the previous Mallets I have owned since they were first produced back in '82 ( doesn't time fly!!)

I noticed when I fitted decoder in the latest one the weights were the non lead type but I have just weighed this loco and it actually weighs 3580 grammes which exceeds the claimed weight of 3400, for all previously listed versions, so I assume that the non lead fitted weights must equate in weight to the old lead weights fitted to Lehmann produced ones
Unfortunalely I dont have a Lehmann one to compare the interiors.
 
In other threads, I mentioned that my LGB Stainz (came with set 78400) does not haul that much. I weighed it and came only as 1375 g. The old Stainz locos are supposed to weigh 2000g +
 
As a matter of interest I have added more weight to the New rack loco bringing its weight to around 3 KG.

I suppose when you consider the reason for the new lighter locos ( fat free!!! :o)

As well as the issue of not being able to use lead any more ( in case someone eats it!)

The new lighter locos may have some sort of cost saving form the point of view of distribution costs, I have no idea how carriers charge manufacturers to deliver their goods to retail accounts or wholesalers but I suppose a pallet of locos will weigh quite a lots less now than the equivalent pallets in Lehmann's days.
 
Mobi said:
In other threads, I mentioned that my LGB Stainz (came with set 78400) does not haul that much. I weighed it and came only as 1375 g. The old Stainz locos are supposed to weigh 2000g +
Click to expand...
I know some folks use a couple of metal figures in the cabs of some of the small locos as a replacement for the plastic driver to add a little weight, perhaps a few white metal detail parts ( Toolboxes, Oil Cans) on the exterioir may help marginally. :)

Although i have just had a look at an old 2006 LGB Catalogue and the recent LGB Locomotive Book and all the listed Stainzs' weights are listed as being 1,7000gm
 
Mobi said:
In other threads, I mentioned that my LGB Stainz (came with set 78400) does not haul that much. I weighed it and came only as 1375 g. The old Stainz locos are supposed to weigh 2000g +
Click to expand...
For my Stainz and Tram locos I have used lead shot to bring the weight of each loco up to 2.2Kg which I have found from experiments to be the ideal weight.
 
MTheStrong said:
For my Stainz and Tram locos I have used lead shot to bring the weight of each loco up to 2.2Kg which I have found from experiments to be the ideal weight.
Click to expand...

I reached the same conclusion - a good tip for all 4 wheeled locos. My oldest Stainz have run at this weight for 8 years. I have checked the gearboxes - there is no discern able sign of any wear
 
I have only ever had 1 gearbox problem ( worn out gears) with an LGB loco that was back in the 70s my very first loco a U class 0-6-2, ( See pic in my thread LGB memories etc in the Photos section)

In those days spares were not availabale in the UK so i wrote to lehmann and within a few days i received a big bag of various gear wheel & axles enough for several locos, no charge and a nice letter thanking me for supporting their products!

I always had a suspicion the gear problem was caused by a rather steeply graded R1 curve on my very first layout ;D
 
Bizarrely, solid lead is not very toxic. it goes strait through you. Now lead compounds, as found in paint, old petrol, etc. are far more absorbable.
 
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