LGB STAINZ Train Sets - LGB 20301 BZ, 20513, 20514, 20516

 The early 1980's were the fat years for LGB. The LGB trains were a worldwide success, LGB was everywhere, in retail stores, in at least 20 countries worldwide, LGB Club activity spanning continents. (National) German TV shows featured LGB trains at least once a month. And the Richter brothers started to live the good life.

The STAINZ Train sets built the bedrock of the LGB success story. And 1983 was proof for that. After the 100 anniversary set 1981 sold very well LGB sought to replicate that success and published the "Blue Train", with an edition volume of 20,000:

LGB 20301 BZ engine - Courtesy of worthpoint.com

LGB 20301 BZ train set - Courtesy of picclick.com

The LGB Kompendium describes the Blue Train as follows: (quote)

"Passenger Train "Blue Train" consisting of  steam loco (base model 2020) and 2 passenger cars. Loco chassis, boiler, smoke stack and built-on in black, steam chest in silver color, cab in blue, labeled loco No "2" and "LGB". Connecting rods in silver/red, loco wheels red. Both cars (base model 3007) blue, roof in grey, w/3 small roof vents each. Labeled underneath the roof w/"BLAUE ZUG/ BLUE TRAIN / LE TRAIN BLEU". Decorative lines below windows forming a rectangle. Both cars w/spoked wheels. ..."

According to the Kompendium LGB made an 20301 BZ with a golden steam chest but we did not find any photo images of that. If they exist they were probably made for VIP business partners as a give-away. LGB advertised this train set with a one-leaf flyer in German(y) only:

Advertising the Blue Train - LGB flyer from 1983

 The 'backside" advertised the diesel engine RED Train train set.

A Google search revealed that despite no further advertising the Blue Train found its way to LGBoA faster than greased lightning since all advertised ('re'sale) Blue Trains were/are offered in the USA. The price was probably around US$ 400, justified by LGB(oA) because of the 'limited edition". Though there is serious doubt they ever revealed that 20,000 were made....

But that wasn't enough to fill LGB coffers aside from the regular LGB offer in the main catalog featuring 164(!) pages. LGB also offered these sets:

LGB 20513

LGB 20513 - Courtesy of liveauctioneers.com

This set featuring an LGB 2020 in red, one box car and one passenger car (base model 3007). The series was made for VEDES, a German toy dealer/retailer association (very powerful in those years). Hence the labeling" Freizeit, Hobby, Spiel" (Leisure time, hobby, play- which was supposed to mirror the product diversity of the toy retailer. As if your local FAO Schwarz store needed any introduction...). The limited edition was 1,000. Of which - by pure toy store(y) miracle - most ended up in the USA...

LGB 20514

LGB 20514 - Courtesy of eBay.com

This set was most probably made for the Austrian toy dealer association and consisted of an LGB 2010 engine, a high gondola car, base model LGB 4021-8 and a flat car (LGB 4003 D) with a white container labeled DHS and "Spiel & Hobby". The edition volume was 800. 

LGB 20516

the set included a LGB 2020-7 with a green cabin on a black body with a red chassis, a green high gondola car (LGB 4021) and a boxcar with labeling for the Brinkmann company.

LGB 20516 Brinkmann car

Edition was also limited to 800. No price is known nor to whom it was sold by Brinkmann or for Brinkmann.

There is no history left on the Brinkmann company and Yours Truly would appreciate any further knowledge from our dear readers.

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

 

LGB STAINZ - Train Sets, LGB 20401 and LGB 1981

The very first LGB catalog (1968) featured also the very first "STAINZ" LGB freight train set, the LGB 20401. As with the passenger train set, the German version did not have an item number the first year but the English version did. However the next year's catalog (1969) showed an item number for the freight train set in both catalogs, English and German.

Below are examples of the very first STAINZ freight train set:

LGB 20401 - Courtesy of worthpoint.com

LGB 20401 - Courtesy of liveauctioneers.com

LGB 20401 - Courtesy of eBay.com

LGB 20401 - Courtesy of eBay.com

The above photos all show versions of the LGB 20401 set. All in all LGB offered 13 (!) versions of this freight train set. The first ever set contained these items:

(1) steam locomotive base model 2040 and 2 freight cars (plus 4 figurines, tracks to form a circle and one power cable). Loco cabin and boiler in black, chassis in red, "Heuler" motor, no pick-up shoes, a small dummy headlight, round roof vent, red loco wheels, cabin labeled "4". One high-sided (freight) gondola (base model 4020) and one boxcar (base model 4030) both in light brown

Thereafter and over the years they differed as follows:

20401-2:  as (1) but operating head and rear lights, cabin # "4" sometimes in silver color

20401-3:  as (2) but Cabin # "4" gold color, high sided gondola in green (base model 4021)

20401-4:  as (3) but motor now a regular Buehler motor, w/pick-up shoes, big operating head and rear lights, square roof vent.

20401-5:  as (4) but yellow boxcar "Chiquita" w/ wraparound platform railing (starting 1973)

20401-6:  as (5) but loco base model 2010 with green cabin

20401-7:  as (6) but loco in dark brown w/ loco # "1",  high sided gondola either green or brown(model 4021) w/labeling

20401-8:  as (7) but both freight cars w/plastic covered steel axles, boxcar w/ open sided platform railing

20401-9:  as (8) but matte red covering box w/cellophane window

20401-10:as (9) but shiny red covering box w/window; edition later came with labeling:"Lehmann Gross-Bahn-The Big Train"

20401-11:as(10) but high sided gondola in  brown and sometimes grey inside

20401-12:as(11) but high sided gondola in  dark brown and sometimes grey inside

20401-13:as(12) but loco 2020 w/green cabin

All sets in boxes w/ windows have transformers.

Pricing started with DM 176.00 which was about US$ 45.00 in 1968/70 or about US$ 339.00 in today's money. Edition wise 10,000 were manufactured at least every year and the Internet, retail and/or eBay market offers them every now and then. They are neither rare nor massively valuable and even more seldom complete.

LGB built/manufactured the LGB 20401 sets until 1987.

There is another LGB set that also carries the number 20401 albeit with the addition RZ, that is LGB 20401 RZ which is a diesel loco set, called the "Red Train Set". It was made from 1983 to 1985 and had an edition volume of 15,000.

Well, after all this set mania and confusion LGB had profited immensely from their well earned success and it was time to celebrate. In 1981 Lehmann Brothers celebrated their 100th anniversary (remember they started out in 1881 in Berlin with a tin toy company) and they manufactured and offered the "100 Year Lehmann 1881-1981" Anniversary Set

LGB 1981 1 - Courtesy worthpoint.com

LGB 1981 1 - Courtesy of Only Trains 

Here are some very special facts about this anniversary set:

No 1: It was NEVER offered in any LGB catalog

No 2: It was NEVER mentioned in the 100th Anniversary catalog of 1981

No 3: It NEVER got its own flyer or brochure

No 4: 19,000 sets were manufactured

No 5: It came out on the height of the LGB craze. In Germany as well as in the USA the market was growing immensely.

No 6: It is still available on the market mostly in very good condition. Why? People simply fell for the marketing trick that it would be valuable and kept it on a shelve instead of enjoying it.

No 7: In 1984 the set was released AGAIN with an edition of 1,000 and a loco with a red steam chest. This edition was cataloged in the 1984 catalog on page 14. Why? That will remain an LGB mystery. That edition was RARE and was hard to find, even for your Famous Klaus. We tracked it down on Hattons Model Railways in the UK:

LGB 1981 2 - Courtesy of hattons.co.uk

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

LGB STAINZ - Train Sets, LGB 20301

The very first LGB engine set ever, the LGB 20301 came out in 1968 and had no item number. It was that special!

LGB catalog 1968, back page 

Hobby and toy markets had known model trains for about 70 years by now but never in this size, quality, affordability, nor in this precision to the archetype. A new material - LURAN plastic - made it possible. Precision mold design and construction combined with injection molding this new plastic type set the stage for detail rich, temperature and UV light resistant, fade-proof and durable rolling stock that could be operated indoors and outdoors, year-round. A new type of track, made of hard alloy aluminum and VESTOLEN, an even more durable plastic than LURAN but less pliable completed the offer for this completely new type of model railway fun. 

From the start, LGB offered two catalog versions: German and English. The English version displayed item numbers:

And there might be a simple reason: in 1968 only 60% of households had a telephone in Western Germany. The general way of shopping (anything) was to go into a retail store and buy the item. In the USA at the same time about 90% of all households had a phone and distances to the next retail store often demanded a phone call upfront to order items before you went into town to pick them up. Hence, item numbers ensured you'd get the item you wanted.

The LGB 20301 Passenger Train set consisted of the LGB engine # 2020, and 2 passenger cars, the LGB # 3000 and #3010:

LGB 20301-1 from 1968- Courtesy of pickclick.com

In the above set the electrical cord is missing. The first set did neither include a throttle nor a transformer. The price was DM 198.00 which was the equivalent to US$ 50.00 or in today's value about US$ 380.00. 

Following is a description of what the first original #20301 set consisted of:

"20301-1: Passenger train consisting of locomotive (base model # 2020) and 2 passenger cars. Loco chassis in red, cabin in dark brown w/ loco # "2", boiler and funnel smoke stack black, "Heuler" motor, no pick-up shoes, round roof vent, lights not functioning, connecting rods in silver-red, disk wheels in red. One car (base model # 3010) dark green, grey roof w/ roof light, enclosed railing on car platform, labeled"III" under 1st and 4th window (for coach class). One car (base model # 3000) brown, roof in grey w/ 2 vents, enclosed platform railing,  labeled"3" under 1st and 4th window (for coach class). Both cars w/ metal axles and spoke wheels." (Quoted/translated from LGB Kompendium, pg. 1207).

The Kompendium description focused on the rolling stock. However the complete set contained LGB track to form a circle, a regular power cord and 4 figurines.

When you see offers on eBay or other sources claiming to be LGB sets from 1968 make sure to compare them to the above and  following descriptions to understand the completeness and value of the sets offered.

The LGB set 20301 was made from 1968 to 1991. BUT - big but- until 1974 the passenger set had the LGB 2020 loco in brown upfront. That year LGB changed the front loco to an LGB 2020 with a green cab, now already showcasing the the prototype Stainz loco:

LGB catalog 1974/75 pg 8 - featuring the set # 20301-7

By that time LGB had exchanged the passenger cars as well while the catalog cover that year still displayed the original 1968 version of the train set.

All in all, LGB changed or added features to the LGB 20301 train set as follows:

20301-2:  as 20301-1 but loco with front and back lights functioning

20301-3:  as -2 but loco w/gold colored number on cabin and car (3010)green. packaging w/color photo of passenger train on yellow/green background (German version)

20301-4:  as -3 but car (3000) brown

20301-5:  as -4 but w/big lights, square roof vents, some packages w/pick-up shoes

20301-6:  loco with brown cabin and gold colored window frame

changing loco color and cars in 1974 to

20301-7:   loco w/green cabin, 1 car (#3011) upper part cream-white,lower part red, mounted roof lights, labeled"2" under 1st and 4th window, dark roof edges. 1 car (base model # 3012) upper part cream-white, lower part blue, all else see # 3011. Packaging changed to light red w/Cellophane window.

20301-8:  as -7 but both cars w/ chassis labeling in white Type 1

20301-9:  as -8 but loco w/labeling "Letzte HU 26.6.76" in white ("last main check on June 26 1976")

20301-10:as -9 but loco w/labeling "letzte HU 26.6.79 or "Letzte HU 22.6.64. Both cars labeled with car data. Labeled "Nichtraucher" (Nonsmoker) in black on upper left next to 1st window, located next to coach class in black color on white. Chassis labeling Type 1,2 or 3. since 1984 packaging in dark red made from corrugated paper. Sets in packaging w/out window have no transformer.

LGB knew instantly about their success and responded soundly with annual price increases. The sales price for the Passenger Train set 20301 went therefor from DM 198.00 in 1968 to DM 275.00 in 1975. That equals US$ 50.00 (1968) to US$ 75.00 (1975) which was still 20% more than average wages had increased over the same time frame.

LGB STAINZ - The Train Sets

 Right from the very start of LGB the Richter brothers Eberhard and Wolfgang offered a train set. No, make that two. And from the very start LGB offered a German and an English worded catalog. What a foresight! Especially the train sets would prove to be the success on the international market.

back cover of the English version 1st LGB catalog 1968

back cover of the German 1st LGB catalog 1068

From the start there were slight differences in how to present the LGB product. The English version displayed the two versions - a passenger train featuring the LGB 2010 and the freight train featuring the LGB 2020 - in their respective open boxes. Thus showing for both train set options what the customer would get upon purchase. The German version featured just one open box - the freight train set - and the covered box with a drawing of the passenger train set. Thus insinuating that the customer can imagine himself the contents of the 2nd box once he has seen one version of it. This thinking represented a fairly common understanding of engineer thinking in Germany back then: don't explain what is obvious otherwise the customer might feel insulted.- How the tides have turned...

To understand the importance of the train sets for LGB and their success worldwide this blog has tried to list all train set versions featuring a (type of) STAINZ locomotive. Other popular LGB sets featuring Diesel or other very beloved engines might be considered in a blog at a much later time. This series will focus on the Stainz engine alone. And that excludes all set types with an LGB 2015 or LGB 2017 or LGB 2023 as locomotive as well. 

So here are the roughly 60 (!) different Stainz sets LGB has produced over their 38 years of existence as LGB:

Passenger train        1968

Freight train         1968

20301 1969

20401 1969

1981-1 1981

20301 BZ 1983

20513 1983

20514 1983

20516 1983

1981-2 1984

20301 MF 1984

20501 1984

20520 1984

20522 1984

20526 1984

20150 1985

20528 1985

20531 1985

20531 Y 1985

20531 Z 1985

20532 1985

20533 1986

20534 MF 1986

20535 1987

20536 1987

20537 1987

91401 1987

1988 BTO 1 1988

1988 BTO 2 1988

20539 1988

21401 1988

21988 1988

20540 US 1990

20100NB 1991

2020EM 1991

21540 US 1991

23301 1991

23401 1991

22540 1992

22988 1992

70988 1993

70545 1994

70994 1994

70996 1994

70415 1995

70416 1995

29210 1996

70417 1996

70418 1996

70515                      1996

70516/71418 1996

70302 1997

70402 1997

70321 1998

71968 1998

70950/72950           2000

70920                      2001

70938                      2001

70940                      2001

70942                      2001

72302                      2001

72402                      2001

29151                      2002

70315 2005

72920                      2005

70403 2006

Some of the above listed Stainz train sets had up to 10 variants within their respective item numbers  increasing the actual variety of sets to more than 80 or 90. This blog will try to present them all. Where we fail and you- dearest reader -have additional information we would be more than appreciative and thankful to receive that information and data. We will complete any published blog with data received after initial publishing. 

This journey will take you from this 1968 train set

Stainz Passenger Train set 1968 - LGB catalog 1968 pg 2

to this last ever Old LGB Stainz train set #70403 

LGB 70403 from LGB catalog 2006

which was partially manufactured by LGB but mainly sold by Maerklin/Simba-Dickie later on with its own mishmash history of flat-car-"toppings".

+++++++++++++++To be continued..................

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...

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.........

LGB STAINZ - The Engine That Made LGB - LGB 2040

The LGB 2040 Stainz was the engine with the shortest lifespan. Basically it was the 2010 without the head light operating. Manufactured from 1968 to 1975 (roughly).

LGB 2040 - Courtesy of worthpoint

That of course changed soon. All in all the 2040 was manufactured in high volume but did not come in different versions. Many engines went into sets.

The 2040 came with slight differences over the years:

2040-1: the original first engine came with a red chassis, body and slim smoke stack in black/matte. Round roof grill, raised "4" and "LGB" on engine cab in either gold or silver. Motor: a Buehler motor with straight toothed gearwheels. In operation they made a wailing sound, hence the name "Heulermotor" in German meaning wailing/houling. Only a few years later came a new Buehler motor with worm gear avoiding the wailing sound in operation. All LGB engines from 1968 had Heuler motors in them making their operation VERY characteristic upon their first market appearance.

2040-2:  as -1 but with operating lights

2040-3:  as -2 but  with pick-up shoes and Buehler motor with worm gear, plus traction tire

2040-4:  as -3 but golden whistle, square roof grille, engine cab labeling in gold color

2040-5:  as -4 but cab window frame in gold color

With all those technical changes in the 2040 and the other engines as well, LGB started to meld the 2040 into the 2010 and then into the 2021 (see future blog).

Here are some of the  LGB 2040 "STAINZ" (they all MUST have the slim smoke stack to be a real 2040 stainz):

LGB 2040 - Courtesy of gscale.com

LGB 2040 w/original 1968 engineer - Courtesy of picclick.fr

 Timeworn or forgotten? LGB 2040 - Courtesy of Picclick.uk

Price wise they started out at DM 98.00 in 1968 or roughly US$ 25.00 back then. In today's value that would be US$ 180.00. It is very rare to find one these days. Aged or not. To the die-hard LGB fan it would be worth almost everything to own something from the very start of the Original LGB. Sometimes this engine comes on the market for about US$ 270.00 depending on condition. Which is still a very decent price. After all it was made more than 70 years ago!

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