LGB Decoder Fitting Guides - Stainz

Introduction

The Stainz is no doubt the most common LGB loco, thanks to it being in the majority of all starter sets produced. LGB has produced over a million of these rugged little locos, and now that digital control is becoming more common, this is naturally one of the first that needs to be converted.

The majority of all new locos produced by LGB now come with decoders fitted as standard, and are integral to the main circuit board (also containing features such as lights, sound, etc...). However, to keep costs down, while the Stainz present in the starter set has lights, sound and a sound generator, it does not have a digital decoder fitted. For a number of years now, these Stainz locos have had a "Direct Decoder" fitting, meaning that in theory at least, fitting the decoder is simply a matter of opening up the loco, plugging the decoder in, and you are up and running.

But!, just because this loco is common, does not mean that it is easy to get into! The actual position of the decoder socket is in the boiler of the loco, and to get to it takes time, patience, and knowing which screws to undo, which pieces need to be taken off, and in which order. This step by step guide explains all of the actions needed to get your Stainz running on Digital!
(Hint: If you click on most of the pictures, a larger image will open in a new window)

Lets take a look at the loco:

The first step once you have your loco is to make sure you have a decoder to fit in,

We are using the Mk2 decoder, an updated version of the Mk1 (which is no longer produced), reference number 55021. In the box you will find the decoder (in a protective cardboard cover), an instruction manual, a piece of double sided sticky tape, and a bag of connectors. Because this loco has a "Direct Decoder" fitting, the connectors, nor the tape are needed. In addition, the wires on the decoder are redundant, but we will come to that later.

Right, onto the disassembly.