Buying Used LGB Moguls

With LGB/Märklin in insufficient supply of new locomotives the LGB fan is driven to the estate and collectors's market or simply to used locos.  LGB locos have always been made with great care and especially those still made in Germany come in a material that will last for decades or better say more than half a century. When buying from an unknown source like from eBay, amazon.com or dash follow some simple rules: ( below see 4 examples of damages with a broken smoke stack below left and transport damage on the right)

dirt and abandonment lead to this poor sight

This loco was simply slaughtered
by a previous, untrained installer

are all decorative parts in place or are some listed as missing? The Mogul sports some decorative parts that are very hard to come by these days among which are the flag poles, the stanchions, the generator, the bell and bell holder, the cow catcher and/or the snow plow. If any of these are missing that should reduce the price by about 10% (of the original price when new).

• does the Mogul come with its tender. The Mogul loco and the Mogul tender are considered "one locomotive" and cannot be separated. The tender has a cable connection to the front loco for power pick-up, cables for lights and were installed the sound preps 

This Mogul was NOT packed well at all.
The cow catcher needed replacement

• does the Mogul show wear and tear? Take a look at the loco wheels and the power shoes if the buyer provides such a photo. Can you detect signs of worn out wheels? Or worn power shoes? Then the loco had a lot of operation time and maybe the gear wheels and the motor are also about to expire. Take an additional 15% off (of the original price when new). Mogul loco wheels are (almost) no longer available (except at TrainCraft By Klaus - we carry them for restorations) and the same goes for intermediate gear wheels and the Original Buehler motor (which we also carry)
• is the smoke stack in proper condition and does the smoker work? All Moguls came with a smoke generator (Seuthe 5 Volt smoker - made in Germany) whether in the wood version (diamond or balloon smoke stack) or the coal version (elongated smoke stack). especially the ballon smoke stack is prone to cracks and breaking of. Some just glued the stack 'back together' with improper glue, leaving either bad glue marks, cracks or real damage leading to non-operable smokers. Smoke stacks are sometimes available (TrainCraft carries them!) but pretty expensive these days. If the smoker is not working deduct 20% of  the original loco price when new.

• is the Mogul very dirty and shows scratches or missing lamps/lights? Then the loco had not only a lot of operation time but has also been left outside or been generally not taken care of. Other essential parts may be damaged then as well - see all of the above. Then check also for possible damage on the connecting rods. If you have all parts at home or access to it and the Mogul is offered for less than US$ 300.00-go for it anyway.

• does the Mogul come in its original box that matches the number on the loco? Is the box in good condition? These days the collector's market is growing and the original LGB box is becoming as important in collecting LGB as the loco itself to appraise and determine the total value of the LGB loco/set.

Then there is wear and tear or simple damage that can only be detected if the Mogul is opened by a professional. Over the years your "Famous Klaus" came upon oxidized  lead weights spreading this "salt" within the motor block , burnt gear wheels due to an owner's try to 'improve' the traction way to much with added weight...,and badly worn-out bearings which lead to general motor and body damage.

Now for the good news: LGB Moguls and other fine LGB German made locos are made out of very durable materials and very high-class plastic. They will survive A LOT!! And Klaus is always near to get any Mogul back to its Original glory and operation - even if the radiant shine of a brand-new- out-of-the-Nuremberg-factory loco sometimes is a thing of the past. -- So- go call Klaus (770-886-6670) or email him at  klaus@traincraftbyklaus.com  with all your LGB Mogul needs!