LGB STAINZ - The Engine That Made LGB - LGB 2021 series

 The LGB 2021x series began its life in 1997/98 with the LGB 21211. This little Stainz is the real "STAINZ" with its prototype seen below:

LGB 21211 - Courtesy of picclick.co.uk

The engine was advertised in 1998 in the main LGB catalog only:

First advertisement for LGB 21211 in 1998 main LGB catalog, page 25

The prototype (below) was built in 1892 for the Stainz - RR in Austria:

The original STAINZ loco in Murau/Austria - Courtesy Wikipedia

The 2x21x versions were a mix featuring characteristics from the 2010, the 2020 and the 2040 ("Stainz"). 

In 2000 The 21211 was also offered in a digital version, # 21211.8

All in all there were 9 versions of this "STAINZ" type under the Old Original LGB:

LGB #      Year

21211       1997/98

20213       1998

22211       2001/2
22212       2001/2

23211       2002
20212       2004

20211       2004
24211       2004

25211       2004/5 USA only

26211       2006
(27211  2009 Maerklin - not portrayed)

The LGB 20213 was offered to commemorate the 30th anniversary of LGB (1968-1998). The labeling was "STAINZ / 1 / 30" and  the LGB logo with laurel branch(es), connecting rods in silver color. LGB also offered a 2nd version with the label "30 Jahre LGB" covered up and instead labeled with the LGB logo only.

This little engine was only sold to those present at the LGB factory in Nuremberg on June 27 + 28 in 1998.  The edition volume was 1,250

LGB 20213-1 -  Courtesy of Only Trains

Prices ran around US$ 300.00 but they are hard to find these days.

It wasn't until LGB published a new main catalog in 2001/2 that the STAINZ series was continued. The LGB 22212 was a cooperation with STEIFF, featuring a real Steiff bear with engineer's cap and gloves. The loco cab was labeled "Friends for Life"

LGB 22212 - Courtesy of Only Trains

This was a limited edition of 1,000 featuring sound and a STEIFF teddy-bear with the characteristic Steiff  "button-in-ear". The price was a stiff  DM 479.00. That would have been US$ 300-350.00 then.  A current offer lists the item for UK £ 300.00 or about US$ 430.00 (plus fees and international shipping).

++++++++++++++++to be continued.........