Still stuck on Marx

[Butte Helper]

With the exception of the Flynns' Marx Christmas layout, I've not seen any other Marx layouts on this site.  Granted, I'm relatively new here and may have missed something.  I also realize Marx trains were often a "toe in the water" which might have eventually triggered a step up to a Lionel Scout or another of their 0-27 sets, but Marx made some strikingly realistic 1/64 scale metal trains during the post-war period.  I would guess someone else out there designed and built something a bit more elaborate than the standard oval of track running beneath a Christmas tree.  If so, I'd love to see it pictured on these pages.  I have a soft spot in my heart for the underdog.  Nothing at all against Lionel, Flyer, MTH, et al, but memories of my youth are burned indelibly into my brain.  Cheap, tinny, unrealistic, and way too bright!  All true I'm afraid, but I still love them.     

[wyomingscout]

Are you running Marx, now?  I'm strictly Lionel, but would like to see some pix of your layout, if you want to post them to get the ball rolling.

A lot of the Post War Lionel  stuff wasn't to scale (unrealistic?), but we love 'em anyway.

Charlie

[Butte Helper]

Hi Charlie,

Yes, I run Marx, but must admit to running everything else under the sun as well.  The older Marx engines came with those huge gears on the drive wheels which proved a bit finicky (to say the least) on Lionel switches.  I had a small 3' X 5' "pure" Marx layout about five years ago.  Given its small dimentions I was able to use six manual Marx 0-27 switches, one of their two-light block signals, a "revolving" beacon which never revolved unless I flicked it with my finger, a whistling Girard station, and a lighted switch tower.  Of course none of my Lionel, K-Line, or MTH engines could traverse those huge spaces in the center rail of the Marx switches, so I ended up building a Lionel layout with a couple of switch-free loops running inside the Lionel mainline.  My older Marx engines are now confined to those loops--much like the prototype Milwaukee Road's electrics we confined to the Coast and Rocky Mountain divisions.  If I can find a couple pictures of that 3' X 5' Marx I'll upload them.  Even that pike eventually yielded to Lionel switches, newer Marx engines without the huge gears, and a couple of the Flynns' locomotives which never had those oversized gears.  Most rolling stock was new and old Marx scale.  Thanks for responding.  Ray      

[overall]

I got my start with a Marx New Haven set. The loco was a E-8 painted in the NH McGinnis color scheme. I still have the set although it is retired now.

George

[sir james I]

I rarely run the Marx but I like to collect the early metal pieces. What or when  I buy, I want it to work so what I have can be run. there are probably many like me that collect but do not have a Marx layout.

[krapug1]

I run my Marx engines on a regular basis, as I try to ensure that all engines in my collection get some run time to keep them in good running condition. I got started in Marx later on in the hobby. 60% of my collection is K-Line, and after reading about the marx molds that were aquired (and found) to create the early K-Line offerings, I wanted to get at least one example of each of the engines that Marx made. These engines, the Marx 333, 1998, 1829, and the RDC car have gearings that work with Lionel switches so I can run them along with everything else. I also bought a marx 666, and this also has gearing similar to my other Marx engines. I would dare say that the smoking Marx 666 could have been the inspiration for MTH's proto-smoke. If you go to my K-Line Yahoo Group I have some pictures of Marx/K-Line products back to back. Ken

[Railroader_Sailor_SSN-760]

 I love Marx trains and Marx toys. Marx accounts for about 66% of my O-27 collection. Most of them are in running condition, aside from junkers that I bought \to restore that are rusted up or in pieces.

 I run a mixed make layout. The outer loop is Lionel, middle is American Flyer, and the center is Marx, and the overhead loop is Lionel.

I would love to see more on Marx trains on the forum and CTT as well, part of why I love the older issues more, as I feel they were truer to the title.

All hail Marx!

[marxalot]

Like many others my first train set was a Marx. It came with a 1666 locomotive. When I think about it, I started with Marx and most likely would not even still be in the hobby today if it wasn't for helping a fellow at work get some old Marx units running again. I have collected more now than I ever had as a kid in the late 50's! I run the usual 1666, 666, 333, and nice Monon F units on occasion. My one sound effect is the old Marx whistling station! Man do I feel good when pressing that button control! I'm in some weird condition though trying to model a little hi-rail and then throwing in some Marx & Plasticville items.

Yes, all hail Marx. His products gave a lot of happiness to the youth of the time as did Lionel then and Lionel & MTH & others now. I'll try to post some photos of the older units running some Sunday. But no, it is not just a Marx layout. I enjoy my WIlliams GG1 and Lionel 0-6-0 tanker too.

[worshipful]

I have mixture of both Lionel and Marx trains. I find Marx trains will run on fast track. I do Have one problem with my 666 engine. It seems that I cannot keep wires soldered to the engine to keep it running. I use a Lead Free solder. Worshipful

[jwse30]

 Welcome to the forum Worshipful!

Regarding your 666 wires, are you sure you are heating the joint, and not the solder?

J White

 

[Banks]

 Worshipful

Are the joints themselves breaking or is the wire breaking just behind the joint?

If it is the joint itself you are making a "cold " solder connection. If the wire is breaking it may be brittle from to much heat. I personally try to stay away from lead free solder. It can be very finicky to work with  as it requires so much more heat to get a good joint. Meantime you've melted some thing you shouldn't have.

You  may have trouble finding a good 50/50 rosin core localy but it is readily available on the 'bay

[lionelsoni]

I suggest 60/40 over 50/50 for electrical work.  It has a lower melting point.  Plumbers (used to) use 50/50; but they have torches.

[Railroader_Sailor_SSN-760]

 

60/40 is far better for electrical/electronic work, ideally if you can get it 63/37 solder, as it is allotropic, and does not have a plastic phase.

[worshipful]

In regards to my soldering of the wires on my Marx 666 engine it seems to come apart after I have soldered the wire(s) back on the engine without breaking or becoming brittle. I thought maybe I was using the wrong type of solder- ( lead free) instead of lead solder.                                                                                                                   worshipful

[Raymond Leggs]

Speaking of MARX I have a set in my closet, the #490 engine is broken and the transformer is dead.   The cars are MINT though, I was going to replace the engine with another model which had a reverser unit anyway, I also have a working lionel set under my bed.