Need help with two LGB Engines

[dunnyrail]

Wow, thanks everyone!! I got the lower chassis cleaned and lubed and assembled see pic. I think I did ok. The major problem though is in the boiler and it's weight. I don't see how to get it out, and I am afraid if I don't , it will just ruin what I just got cleaned up. I attached a pic of the large weight in boiler. I have the screws out, but by looking at the diagram that people have been kind enough to share, it will not slide out toward the cab and the front, smokebox? seems very attached and no way to remove. It was suggested to soak in vinegar to help remove oxidation from the lead. If I place the whole boiler in a vinegar solution, will that ruin the plastic body and wiring? As always, many thanks for any advice here.
Mike

Hm looks like the carp has filled the boiler. So heeding Jimmies warning, silicone gloves and a good face mask to keep all dust out/off of you you will need to scrape out what dust you can with a small screwdriver. Possibly via an old plastic bowl with water in it, once a good load is out you may be able to tease the weight out. Then a good clean i side IN water with an old toothbrush should sort out the crud. Then time for you, clean cloths and shower in case any lead dust has got onto you with clothes being washed in their own.

These locomotives are looking to be a bit of a poisoned chalice!

 

[GAP]

Wow, thanks everyone!! I got the lower chassis cleaned and lubed and assembled see pic. I think I did ok. The major problem though is in the boiler and it's weight. I don't see how to get it out, and I am afraid if I don't , it will just ruin what I just got cleaned up. I attached a pic of the large weight in boiler. I have the screws out, but by looking at the diagram that people have been kind enough to share, it will not slide out toward the cab and the front, smokebox? seems very attached and no way to remove. It was suggested to soak in vinegar to help remove oxidation from the lead. If I place the whole boiler in a vinegar solution, will that ruin the plastic body and wiring? As always, many thanks for any advice here.
Mike

Looking at the exploded view (see post #10) the smoke box should detach from the front of the boiler.
I would put some sort of lubricant perhaps a silicone spray and try gently wiggling it to see if it comes apart.
Check very closely for screws or anything that that may be holding the smoke box onto the boiler.
Zooming in on the diagrams it looks like the smoke box has a piece on the end that goes into the boiler. Figures 33 and 136 are the 2 pieces you should be looking closely at.
If the corrosion has filled the space then tapping it lightly with a soft hammer should break it up.

 

[PhilP]

This from memory. - Not got one to hand, and it has been a while....

Screws release the 'tube-plate' in the front of the smoke box..
I think you have to remove the front lamp, and (carefully) pull the handrails out forwards..
Are there not screws, either side, through the boiler into the smoke box?
I *think* you have to gently(!) prise the 'braces' out of the side of the smoke box. - That go diagonally down to the buffer beam.

** This is from memory, though, so be cautious.

PhilP.

 

[stevedenver]

Well, I do not know for certain, but, I would be hesitant to put the entire locomotive in vinegar. My greatest concern is , as a light acid, it is likely to lightly etch everything. It would depend on how long.

In looking over the exploded diagram, there are two small screws that hold the lead weight in on the bottom side, near the motor block. I might try and find them if they’re not completely covered.

 

[mpricedhc]

Thanks woke_hoagland for your thoughts and once again Casey_Dowling for your support! Actually there are many to thank, but I did soak the chamber in vinegar over night. I got rid of a lot of the oxidation from the lead and inside of the steam chamber! I only soaked half the chamber


20250726_1202371920×2560 235 KB


at a time because I was worried about decals and numbers on the outside. As it turned out, it didn’t seem to affect them. Now, I hope to get the white film off the outside of the chamber, but even if I don’t it is SO much better than all the corrosive powder falling out everywhere! I have enclosed pics of my soaking method and end result. Now it is just a matter of cleaning up and reassembly, I hope to share good news!
and here is the second


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https://forums.firecrown.com/upload...16d87c4c2d41479ff6639b9badbf825c265b088f.jpeg
And yes,

stevedenver​

 

[mpricedhc]

oh geez, things a bit messed up, thanks steve for your advice, things are drying... Actually, Sooo many people to thank.

 

[mpricedhc]

Hello Everyone, I got my engine cleaned, lubed and put back together. I could not have done it without the advice, encouragement, cautions and support of everyone that contributed. I thank you. I enclose a link with it running, very short, and sound if you wish to view. Also, I seem to be missing a part. I do not know what it is called, but have enclose a pic of the part if anyone knows where I might find a replacement. Again, many thanks to all.
oh and the link

Working LGB – Google Drive

drive.google.com

 

[FatherMcD]

Hello Everyone, I got my engine cleaned, lubed and put back together. I could not have done it without the advice, encouragement, cautions and support of everyone that contributed. I thank you. I enclose a link with it running, very short, and sound if you wish to view. Also, I seem to be missing a part. I do not know what it is called, but have enclose a pic of the part if anyone knows where I might find a replacement. Again, many thanks to all.
oh and the link

Working LGB – Google Drive

drive.google.com

Certainly seems to run well and I like your makeshift viaduct!

 

[dunnyrail]

Hello Everyone, I got my engine cleaned, lubed and put back together. I could not have done it without the advice, encouragement, cautions and support of everyone that contributed. I thank you. I enclose a link with it running, very short, and sound if you wish to view. Also, I seem to be missing a part. I do not know what it is called, but have enclose a pic of the part if anyone knows where I might find a replacement. Again, many thanks to all.
oh and the link

Working LGB – Google Drive

drive.google.com

Looks to be a steam electric generator likely for front lights and perhaps in the cab.

 

[mpricedhc]

Certainly seems to run well and I like your makeshift viaduct!

Ha, ha! Workbench not quite large enough! But keeping with the railroad theme, if you will notice the viaducts counterweight is and anvil made from a piece of railroad track!

 

[craigwrdouglas2]

Great to see you've got is sorted

 

[tac foley]

Smoke fluid is indeed used in these locos.
Wow that is severe corrosion. Fwiw, if they don’t clean up, there are replacements. On eBay they are usually pretty expensive. Youll have to check retailers that carry parts. Only trains, train-li, ajc kids, etc.

I know this sounds nuts, but since you havent the experience to do a tear down,
You can use light steel wool on the weight and/or shell. Pressure accordingly. Do not get the steel wool near the motor and gears.
You can use dish soap and a toothbrush, everywhere, thoroughly rinse, dry..thoroughly. Very.
You can use a hair dryer on cool. Drying is important. Very.

If you have battery corrosion, this can be cleaned with vinegar, gentle scraping, steel wool.
The re-lube with plastic compatible grease or oil.

Wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

Tip, never force reassembly-everything fits once you figure it out, and, gently back thread any screws you remove before tightening to avoid stripping the plastic.

I have done this. Even the analogue sound board can get wet, but it must be dried. In the 2019s, i believe it is in the tendr. There is no issue with the 2018 and wetness. To make sure they are dry, You may have to leave the locos open with air circulation for a day or more.

Lgb grease is great. If you don’t have any, labelle teflon grease is great too. Heavy oil, not so much for gears.

Your locos arent complicated. If you choose to dive in, a couple of thoughts.
Leave enough time to complete the job. This way you’ll remember what went where.
Work over a towel.
Never force anything. Lgb fits beautifully, but sometimes it take a bit to figure things out.
Wheels must be requartered precisely.

If you search my posts, i gave a detailed step by step on disassembly, lubrication.
Thinking 2-3 years back. Title had either 2018, 2028, or mogul as i recall. Might have been archived by now.

Best of luck.

LaBelle brand is THE stuff - buy the set - grease, light and medium, light oil, graphite grease and graphite powder - all together in one handy, easy to lose packaging.