Allstate Train #9616

[trainmom49]

I am new to the train world- I have a train from my childhood- The yellow box says sears and roebuck

electric train- the side says allstate #9616- the train worked as recently as 5 years ago but no longer

runs.  I am interested in repairing the train and purchasing additional track but don't know where to

start.  Any suggestions would be great. Thanks

addendum-the train is at my parents house so found out a few more details over the phone- the engine has 1666 on the side- the word MARX is on the bottom of the track- the ornage cattle car says "santa fe all the way 3280 (SFRD ? maybe) the blue  car says oil state 55   32- and the red caboose says

allstate 564- thanks for all who replied and asked more questions- i think we are going in the right direction-

 

[rtraincollector]

First a number off the side of the engine would be a big help as both lionel and Marx made allstate train sets for sears if I remember correctly different years of coarse. If you can repair the engine your self good place for parts is Jeff Kane he can be reached at 585-229-2050 ( train Tender ) he sells parts for lionel and marx's.

Depending on the engine if its really worth fixing as it might be cheaper to goto ebay and buy an engine ( same model) for cheaper than the fix. also it could be the eunit got locked in nuetral and its just sitting there there must be a switch somewhere on it to unlock it if this is what happened.

[Dub]

To verify it as a Marx, the engine will have a big copper center contact. Three yellow box sets viewed on ebay were all Marx. The engines had various numbers. One older set has a State of Maine Boxcar.. That was Neat.

I have two Marx engines and they do run on 027 track.

[cpsteamer]

You don't indicate whether it is a steam engine or a diesel. I assume it says Allstate on the locomotive tender. If a steam engine and if Marx it would have a number on the side of the locomotive cab such as: 333, 1829, 666. 999. 400 etc... If indeed a Marx locomotive you might want to check Robert Grossman's website as he is the major supplier of Marx train parts. He also has a Marx repair book which is quite reasonable in price if purchased from him - not off ebay!

 http://www.trainpartsformarx.com/

 Ken

[Dave Farquhar]

I don't normally post here but I see you need some help. A Marx 1666 is usually easy to fix. Keep in mind you can probably buy a replacement 1666 for around $40 on eBay, so you don't want to spend a lot of time and effort on it.

I'd say about half of the old Marx locos I've dealt with just had dirty wheels and cleaning those wheels perked them right up. I don't know what it is about Marx drivers as opposed to anyone else's. But taking a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol to the four large driving wheels will almost certainly help. Swab the wheels, and once the swab turns completely black, repeat with a new, clean swab. You may end up using 8-10 swabs per wheel but that's OK. Also swab down the copper pickup slider in the center of the locomotive's underside. Sometimes I'll take a little metal polish to the raised portions that come in contact with the track, depending on how big of a hurry I'm in.

If you put the locomotive on the track and all it does is buzz a lot, the sequencer might be messed up. Tapping on the top of the locomotive behind the smokestack can help free the sequencer up. If that isn't enough, a few blasts of contact cleaner (available at auto parts and hardware stores, a can costs about $6) may help. Flip the locomotive over, and the sequencer is hard to see, but it's an electrical device near the front driver wheels. Spray some contact cleaner into there, then set the locomotive down and let whatever crud wants to flow out flow out. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes before you put it back on the track because you want all that contact cleaner to either flow out or evaporate before exposing the loco to electricity.

The loco probably also needs some lubrication. Automotive grease is fine; 3-in-1 or another household oil is adequate for oil but not ideal. I like Labelle 107 oil, available in hobby shops. Apply a single drop of oil to each axle, including the motor armature. Apply a bit of grease to each gear.

Marx trains were extremely simple and reliable. I think I've only ever found one that I couldn't fix by doing these two things to them.

[taylor]

maybe u can help me but i have a train set the box says sears, roebuck and co and allstate im not sure what the proper word is but the trains kinda remind me of a soda can ive search everywhere and can even find a picture of them it all works i jus want to get an idea of what i have please if u can help or no anyone who can thanks

[balidas]

Can you give us more information on what you have? Like what do the cars look like, what names and numbers are on them as well as the colours. Details like that help with identification.