Modified Stainz from Germany....

Zerogee

Zerogee

Clencher's Bogleman
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A very attractive little Stainz conversion has just joined my loco roster, courtesy of eBay.de and a very friendly and helpful German modeller..... it was built by Steffen Otto, a name that might possibly be familiar to those that regularly read Gartenbahn Profi, as they have featured several articles over the years about his wonderful small LGB loco conversions - many Stainz variants as well as some excellent small railcars and such.

The conversion job is really well done, at first glance you would think it was an actual LGB production model - the new footplate, side tanks and rear bunker match in really well with the original Stainz parts.
At present the loco is analogue, but the installation of a Massoth LS and power buffer will be carried out in due course - I've already had a lot of help and advice from Steffen by email on how to dismantle the loco for the chipping job - when I get to doing it I will try to document the process with some photos!

Stainz Mod1.jpeg

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Steffen has built a LOT of these locos in various versions and guises, and seems to sell one or two occasionally, though I don't think he does it as a business of any sort, he seems to just be an enthusiast and a very good modeller.
I'm certainly very happy with this little one!

Jon.
 
That's a good looking conversion. Nice.
 
Thanks, I'm certainly pleased with it..... the conversion makes a very "balanced" looking little loco, if you know what I mean - it just looks "right", as though it was built that way....
Aside from the DCC decoder install, the only thing I'm tempted to change are the lights - the top big front lamp is the Stainz original, with a standard bulb, but all the other lights (the lower front pair and all three at the rear) are bright white LEDs. They work fine, but in some ways they are TOO bright to give the right effect for old-time loco lamps, and the difference between them and the single standard headlamp is really obvious. While I have it apart to put the decoder in, I may pull the LEDs out and replace them with the little black sockets for push-in bulbs (I have a pack of ten or a dozen of these around somewhere, the Massoth versions).
When I dismantle it for chipping, I'm hoping that there will be plenty of room in one side tank for the LS decoder and in the other side for the powercap-micro buffer unit.
As mentioned above, I will try to get a photo-writeup done when I get round to the job.....

Jon.
 
Certainly a very well done mod. Looks like it is having an identification crisis though, am I a Stainz or a J50?
JonD
 
Two of those back to back and you're heading for an Earl of Merionneth :nod::nod::nod::nod:
 
Rhinochugger said:
Two of those back to back and you're heading for an Earl of Merionneth :nod::nod::nod::nod:
Click to expand...

I do believe that Steffen has built several Fairlie style locos from back-to-back Stainz pairs, and also a number of tram-loco types using two Stainz cabs on one chassis....

Jon.
 
Zerogee said:
I do believe that Steffen has built several Fairlie style locos from back-to-back Stainz pairs, and also a number of tram-loco types using two Stainz cabs on one chassis....

Jon.
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Those bloomin' Stainz get everywhere :mask::mask::mask::mask::mask::mask::mask:
 
Very nice indeed !
 
I was researching for some bits n bobs and came across this little beastie from the Harz. Yes I know the Tanks are shorter, but wonder if this prototype was an inspiration?
image.jpeg
You could if you wished certainly add some more Plumbing to yours if the above is anything to go by.
JonD
 
Thats an OK
 
Useful pic, JonD - a nice little loco and a "plumber's nightmare", though building one of them would need a fatter boiler more like the LGB Kleine Dicke Borsig..... locos like that could indeed have been partial inspiration, though I don't think that my new acquisition necessarily has a prototype - looking at the photos of Steffen's other creations in the way of Stainz variants and little railcars, I think he just uses his imagination to come up with a good-looking conversion.... he has Stainz variants with square-fronted extended tanks (like a "stumpy" U-class), shorter angled tanks, various funnels, and some with scratchbuilt new cabs. The degree of variety is amazing!

Jon.
 
a98087 said:
That's a lovely conversion, do you happen to know of any links to the builders other work?

And can we have a few more pictures once the loco is chipped and undergoing testing?

Dan
Click to expand...

I don't know of anything online showing his work, but he has had articles published in some of the German G scale mags - certainly Gartenbahn Profi, and possibly in others like Volldampf. He did send me several photos of his other locos, but I wouldn't post them here without his permission - I'll email Steffen and ask if I can put them up here.

I will definitely photo-document the chipping process once I can get around to it....

Jon.
 
OK, I've had a reply from Steffen with permission to re-post his photos.... so here goes! Loads of inspiration here for conversions and scratchbuilds - I think that Steffen's own garden layout is in quite a compact area with a lot of R1 curves, hence his love of small locos and the dinky little railcars!

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Jon.
 

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Nice. I like the full length tank varieties.
 
Took the little Stainz-based loco down to our local GSS monthly indoor running day at Salcott today, it ran beautifully (still on analogue DC, I haven't opened it up and fiddled with it yet!) and really looked the part pulling a trio of the Ochslebahn 4-wheel coaches; afraid I was so involved with playing trains that I didn't take any photos....

Dismantling and chipping will begin soon......

Oh, and I've agreed with Steffen to purchase another item from him, this time a complete scratchbuild rather than a conversion.... one of his lovely little stumpy railcars, in this case one of the tapered-end types that looks like a shortened version of the old Harz T1...... when it gets here, will take many photos.... ;)

Jon.
 
Yes his Railcars are lovely little beasts, specially the Overhead pair. My particular favourite though is the little Bernina Box Cab. Have some LGB Tram bits that I was going to use for just such a beast, but I used the Toy Train Van Body for something elso so the Bits are languishing in the Bits Box awaiting inspiration or a RoundTuit.
JonD
 
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