How similar are the LGB Otto / Toy Train Porters / New Porters ?

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ExeterGeek

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Title says most of it.

A chance aquisition of an LGB 22711 (the purple, digital Porter) has set me off on the idea of having a few small locomotives for American themed sessions (and a chance therefore to have brightly coloured reefers shunted around).
I did buy a Rusty a while ago with a view to making it into a Krauss using the Heyn kit to keep up with continental theme.
I then saw this post: http://www.gscalecentral.net/tm?m=215553&high=Korea. < Link To http://www.gscalecentral....215553&high=Korea.
The Rusty and Ann I have both have the dreaded "made in korea" on the bottom.
I have also got an Otto (Toy Train Set - made in Germany - LGB 92176).
Comparing all three of them visually (I've no desire to unscrew them at the moment), then the chassis and valve gear looks identiical.
It also suggests that the square base plate that the cab screws into is the same.
One of the porters has a bit of damage to the rods and the end cylinder is broken/missing.
The implication from comments about plastic quality is that I'd be better trying to get an Otto and put the Anna cab and boiler on the top ?
Were Otto's made in Korea at any time ?
Chris
 
might not be much help but I have two of the korea chassis. Both are old and have done some milage but have never had any issues.
 
Re:How similar are the LGB Otto / Toy Train Porters / New Porters ?

Thanks for the comment hornbeam.
Coming from a military modelling rather than a railway modelling background then plastic quality was something that I have some experience of.
The chassis plastic on both of them looks (and feels) OK.
Both the Anna and Rusty are second hand, but the skates and wheels show little sign of wear. Both run.
The Anna is missing a cylinder and piece of the valve gear suggesting a corner knock / drop / accident.
Chris
 
Re:How similar are the LGB Otto / Toy Train Porters / New Porters ?

think its fair to say the plastic is not as good, think a few people have found the bottom plate to crack- so if you remove them be carefull not to over tighten the screws on re-assembly. I think the skates are a standard LGB spare part but the wheels maybe an issue. I replaced mine some time back as once the plating wares they don't pick up too well. I think I have the cylinders and parts you need left over, but Ive no idea where they are if I do have them. Ill see what I can do, but give me a week if thats ok. If I do have them i'll pm you and pop them in the post.
 
Re:How similar are the LGB Otto / Toy Train Porters / New Porters ?

Hornbeam.
Many thanks for the offer.
Here's pictures of the damaged Anna (first) and complete Rusty (second)
DSC_0006.jpg

DSC_0007.jpg


Closer inspection of the front pushes me further towards thoughts a drop/collision. I've been prodding and poking a little - always dangerous. The front buffer beam has clearly snapped off of at one stage. Both arms have broken in front of where the screws go and have been glued back (one arm of which has come apart). What I hadn't appreciated was how structural this is to front coupling. Aside from this, comparison between the Anna and Rusty suggests better components on the Anna (which I think is the earlier model) suggesting perhaps use of German components. Chassis moulding on both is clean and smooth with logos clearly defined.
No rush - if you see my post in the coffee lounge then you will pictures of my current state of track laying.
Chris
 
Re:How similar are the LGB Otto / Toy Train Porters / New Porters ?

I've bought Porter cylinders and buffer beams from GRS in the past as they often have a grab-box of small spares. Might be worth a phone call.
 
Re:How similar are the LGB Otto / Toy Train Porters / New Porters ?

The Porter and all 3 Toytrain locos use the same chassis, the Otto variants are the most well know but there is also another US loco with round dome and no tank plus a German diesel. You can swap any of the 4 body type over.
The only difference is the number of pins on the top of the gear box as the wiring varies dependant on when the loco was produced and if it was an LGB or Toytain version. The Toytarin versions don't even have a power switch but LGB versions have a switch and smoke unit. Then there is the latest digitaal version.
I have a palstic box full of broken Korean Porters! The chassis cracks but often so does the smoke box.
It is best to look out for Otto with stripped gears and or duff motor and then swap the wheel sets and motor out of the Korean version with smashed chassis. The gears and wheels are normally OK on the Korean models.
 
Re:How similar are the LGB Otto / Toy Train Porters / New Porters ?

C&S said:
I've bought Porter cylinders and buffer beams from GRS in the past as they often have a grab-box of small spares. Might be worth a phone call.
Click to expand...
GRS used to have several bins of Otto body parts as they sold the chassis to power their kits before they produced their own chassis design.
 
Re:How similar are the LGB Otto / Toy Train Porters / New Porters ?

imho
the 22711 is a league above the toy train versions
as mentioned plastic and
overall running-smoke, lights all work at realistic speed with the built in decoder (although i run analog and its still great)
smooth, and while not as quiet as a stainz, pretty nice indeed


unfortunately i find if its german/czec made, its great,
(don t think there wer czec locos) otherwise the quality was not so wonderful in the toy train line

i mention this only if you like these and want to continue to like them, (i mean only in the sense that its a pain to repair and fiddle)
id suggest finding the german ones-or as noted getting porter parts and fitting to a german otto chassis

i have a german otto and im very pleased with its quality as well
 
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