LGB STAINZ - The Engine That Made LGB - Series 2021 Part 2

 In 2002 LGB offered only one new 2021 engine, the LGB # 23211

LGB 23211 - Courtesy Easyliveauction.com

The  experienced blog reader discerns the "non-difference" right away: It is the old 2040 with new labeling. Thus providing first-class evidence of the mish-mash defining the 2021-series. But it gets even better; In the  2001 LGB catalog the shown picture is of a hand model, according to catalog information. Yes,- a hand model, dearest follower. 33 years and counting and LGB Rolf Richter (who was proud of making the main catalog himself....) could not find a manufactured 2040 and photo-shop it?  What can you say...

Anyway, this archetype, the DR 994605 was first operating on the Prussian Railway line and by 1920 integrated into the German Reich (DR) Railway Line.

When in 2002 LGB had "discovered" the use of the digital decoder, the 23211 was offered in a digital version, the 23211.8 with a hefty markup of US$ 200.00 from roughly US$ 300.00 for the analog version.

The next version was introduced with the 2004 catalog, the LGB 24211

LGB 24211 - Courtesy Only Trains

Featuring a STEIFF Teddy Bear as engineer/Santa it was at first scheduled to be an USA Exclusive and was prized at US$ 499.00. But that didn't last. Soon it was also offered in the LGB Journal for the German and European markets. LGB needed money, desperately. 

LGB Journal 2004 - page 72

Times weren't rosy anymore in Nuremberg, employees were on short-work-order. And the motto was "No costs to be spared - we need sales volume"..

That might have triggered the offering of the LGB 20211 that same year:

LGB 20211 - Courtesy of BigTrainWorld.com

Remember the 20213 from 1998, celebrating "30 Years of LGB" - The one that could only be bought in Nuremberg on 2 defined days during a factory visit? Yep, didn't sell that well it seemed. Here it is again, featuring a number "3" instead of "2" and no labeling at all.... It still comes up on the market and you can find offers around US$ 100.00 - 130.00. 

Also on sale went the sister engine with sound, the LGB 20212, also in green but astonishingly featuring the number "2". 

LGB 20212 sound - Courtesy of Only Trains

That concluded the year 2004. 

As is well known, 2006 was the last year for the Old LGB.  And almost advertently fitting the last single Stainz engine to be offered reminisced the first ever black (Stainz) engine from LGB. From LGB 2040 in 1968 to LGB 26211 in 2006 - the circle came to a close on the 125th anniversary of Lehmann Toy Company and thus LGB.

LGB 2040 from 1968- earlier this blog

LGB 26211 - Courtesy of Only Trains

Don't mind the smoke stack, LGB toyed with that plenty...(pun intended)

And just for fun, here is the original LGB ad-wording, courtesy of  Only-Trains:

"EPL 125th Anniversary Stainz Steam Loco, Collection Item.

The Stainz, the long-time trademark of LGB, has a real-life sister, and that loco runs today on the Rügensche Kleinbahnen. This LGB model reproduces that beautiful steam loco authentically, and of course, it has all the detailing you expect from a Stainz. With a powerful Bühler motor, it's an ideal match for the Rü.KB passenger stock in the LGB program. However, this unique model celebrating the 125th anniversary of EPL will only be produced in 2006!".................Foresight, audacity, arrogance or ignorance??

But- Thankfully - nothing could or can destroy the success nor the belovedness of the Stainz among LGB fans. Many hundreds of thousands of engines were manufactured, maybe even almost reaching a million. And most of them were used in sets. This blog will try to list and discuss them all in the following months ...

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