The Richter Family and LGB

My personal loyalty is to the original LGB produced in Germany by the Richter family at the Saganer Strasse location. Fortunately, I have found a reliable and honest source for NEW or like-new, old original LGB, and have acquired a modest operating collection in superb condition!

The original LGB were awesome trains, loved their catalogs. They are still "good" today, but they have changed.  What's worse is I haven't seen any new American offerings in YEARS.  Mostly re-paints of old tooling.   2-6-0 Mogul, 2-4-4 or 0-4-4 Forney, Christmas Trolley, Grizzly Flats Chloe,  F7s, Rail truck, Handcar, and the orig WP&Y diesel That's it

Piko G equipment is decent, but again offerings are VERY limited and not even close to scale.

Aristo is gone

The only players are USA Trains and MTH and Bachmann (limited items, all narrow gauge and a mix of 1:24 & 1:20)

Unfortunately true, but in my case, I am only interested in the Euro narrow gauge models. I did purchase a PIKO German BR-24 (2-6-0) tender lok and it looks and runs great. I also acquired three of their German steel-type beer reefers to pull behind it. The BR-24 and the reefers are NOT narrow gauge models.

The LGB RhB Ge 4/4 with the Glacier Express cars is my favorite! For some reason still attracted to the "Crocodile" don't know why.  Some folks think it's ugly.  Maybe it reminds me of a GG1 or DD1

ah.....LGB

I agree: The Glacier Express with the Ge 4/4 is an attractive train. I have always been a fan of the RhB crocodile since the first time I saw one in a local shop in 1978. Over the years since then I have had at least four, including the Alpine Classic set engine with digital sounds. Alas, at the present, I do not have one.

the sd40 style alco is an all time favorite hope to get some lgb one day really hoping they freelance another american diesel and bring out a somewhat AC6000 looking engine

I discovered LGB when I got into large scale almost thirty years ago.  Bought the 2019 Lake George and Boulder Mogul.  That thing ran like a champ.  It was my only loco for some time, as it was rather expensive in 1992, $275.00.  I ran it so much one of the side rods wore out at the attachment to the wheel.  LGB of America repaired it free of charge, because it was within the five year warranty period.  Not only did they install all new side rods, but replaced the original motor block wheels and all and replaced all of the lamps.  

LGB of America was located in San Diego and I'm on the east coast.  The whole process, sending it to them, the repair time and receiving it back took maybe a month.  

Yes, LGB had an excellent reputation for both quality products and service as a family owned company.

Wolfgang Richter was a personal friend, and I saw him on a number of occasions during his visits to the U.S. Also knew Rolf Richter. Their firm produced what I still regard as the most durable and reliable trains made in any scale, and I still have a number of the original LGB items as well as some of the newer trains made in association with Marklin. I don't have a place to run them at the present time (or to build the numerous G gauge structure kits I have), but hope to be able to change that situation at some point.

Great write up fellas, thank you kindly 

I never had the opportunity to meet Wolfgang Richter, but he was definitely the soul of LGB. By all accounts a very personable and enthusiastic promoter of his amazing trains.

My first encounter with LGB was at a TCA meet here in Nashville, TN in 1978. I then purchased the typical starter set (sans power pack) with the red/green/black Stainz plus the two red/beige and blue/beige coaches. I also purchased an extra Tucher Bier wagon at that time. It was loads of fun, and I soon added more track and electric switches plus more engines and cars, and I was hooked, and still am. Their early catalogs were beautifully illustrated and enticing!

Having had previous experience with Gilbert Flyer, postwar Lionel, prewar Lionel standard gauge, HO and some MARX, the immersion into der welt of LGB was a great experience! Rugged, beautifully decorated, smooth running 7 pole motors, weather proof with reliable Seuthe smoke units, and a realistic scale/gauge ratio for Euro 750mm and 1000mm prototypes was a refreshing change from my other brand encounters!

After one has used up the available S or O or HO train space in the house, basement, or attic, the next step forward is ... LGB trains outdoors in the yard -- with landscaping, buildings, tunnels, trestles, a waterfall and a Koi pond. I applaud those who can carry on.

Mike Mottler   LCCA 12394

LGB also runs fine indoors on the same layout with my MTH and Lionel standard gauge!  ☺

Marklin/LGB has fittingly honored Wolfgang Richter with a special edition Stainz loco and a coach.

I was fortunate to acquire a mint 30th Anniversary Stainz that was ONLY offered to those that actually attended the celebration at the factory in 1998. It came with a certificate signed by Wolfgang, Rolf and Johannes Richter.

Eberhard Richter's initials were stamped on the front doors of the cab of the first 1000 units of the 2045 RhB electric loco as a memorializing gesture to the co-founder of LGB trains.

Alas, my 2045 was NOT one of those 1000 units!  😐