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Iron wheels

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum and retired now so my new hobby is starting into G scale trains. I like the LGB line and I see ads showing made from a kit? My question is did LGB offer kits to build your own G scale engine?
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
I happen to see some Aster engines for sale and the seller said made from a kit. I was just wondering if LGB offered kits to build or perhaps only Aster did. Just trying to understand the options available, thanks.
 
Ahh... ok...

So:

  1. you saw Aster kits (very expensive live steam locos)
  2. you like LGB
  3. you wondered if LGB made kits.
heck no...

Two completely different worlds and reasons... the Aster kits exist mainly to let a hobbyist do the mechanical finishing and assembly in a complex live steam loco.

There is no such thing or need or saving in an electric loco, i.e. the drivetrain is simple and does not need machining or anywhere near the assembly effort.

The only kits were rolling stock, either traditional wood and metal casting kits, and a few manufactures sold unassembled plastic kits, I think MDC in 1:32...

Sorry, there is no way to save money, unless you build the chassis, and/or build the superstructure... you can save money that way, but that is not kit building, that is scratch building, takes a lot of talent, or a 3d printer or both.

Greg
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
I see, thank you for that. I wanted to email the seller and inquire however I'm new to the forum and unable to send until I have enough participation with this forum. I thought it would be fun to build a locomotive myself like this gentleman did with an Aster Garrett engine. Beautiful trains by the way. The ad is gone so I couldn't forward and I thought it said LGB/Aster...my mistake probably.
 
Ahh.... a beautiful engine, but do you realize the price? Thousands....

this is a used one:
Image



$14,850 ...... a new kit would be about the same cost.... I'm pretty sure they are out of production....



A beautiful loco...
 
Kits have not been common in the G-scale hobby overall.
Aster, Accucraft and Roundhouse have offered kits of their Live Steam locomotives.
But apart from Live Steam locomotives, the only G-scale kits I recall are some Bachmann rolling stock kits, 1/24 scale passenger cars and freight cars, from the 90's:

Image


They were not common, and they were not popular, because there wasn't much point to them. ;) there was very little to assemble. I don't know what the price savings was, but the ready-to-run and painted cars weren't expensive anyway, so few people wanted these kits. They still pop up on ebay, but because they are now "unused and vintage" sellers assume they are valuable..they aren't. ;) some are currently listed for $70. IMO these kits are realistically worth about $20. Demand for them is virtually non-existant.

Scot
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
Thanks everyone, a lot I didn't know. Starting to gather a little knowledge about Live Steam locomotives. Would really like to build one but a little out of my reach. Didn't realize the price on these. I did explore the website for Live Steam engines, very impressive. Maybe someday. Also getting familiar with and lots to learn with LGB as well, thank you all, I'm sure more questions to follow on LGB topics.
 
Bring those questions on! The more you ask, the more you can avoid mistakes by learning from those of us who have already made those mistakes! :D

To a pretty fair degree, you get the results you pay for or the amount of elbow grease you put in.
 
I did explore the website for Live Steam engines
Livesteamstation.com is Accucraft's website. On it you might have found the "Ruby" kits - the Ruby 0-4-0 has been in production for many years as a starter loco, and they have been selling them in kit form for a while - currently $649. Much less expensive than a big Aster loco.
Accucraft - Ruby 0-4-0T (KIT) | Live Steam Station

You might want to take a look at Regner locos. They come as kits and there is some variety in the range. Sold in the US by The Train Dept. Also sold in the UK by Gardenrailways - useful when the exchange rate is in your favor.
Regner Locomotives
REGNER Live Steam - gardenrailways.co.uk
 
Iron wheels, LGB locomotives and rolling stock are extremely well designed and easy to put apart and back together. Considering this, you can get second hand engines and rolling stock put them apart and make your own as if they were built from kits. Glue is used but sparingly and usually for detail parts - they can usually be loosened without damage - and then fastened together. Enjoy LGB! Zubi
 
LGB never offered kits of engines. They used to offer a few building kits that were made by a 3rd party vendor and sold in Lehmann/LGB boxes. Aster makes expensive live steam powered kits. Roundhouse Engineering also makes them(highly recommended for live steam beginners) along with Regner. LGB's engines due to the plastics they use, are all screw and slot assembled with little to no glue. They seem to hold up the best to extensive use, both indoors and outdoors in the sun. My track on my outdoor railway is 100% LGB along with most of my non live steam engines and rolling stock.
 
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