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Marx 1666 questions

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Marx 1666 questions
Posted by trains2353 on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 2:22 PM

Picked up a Marx 1666 engine. Only runs in reverse. Is there an e-unit switch somewhere? Don't see it if there is one.

Next question: Did the 1666 have a rear truck? None on this one.

TIA.

Bob

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Posted by phrankenstign on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 3:06 PM

I'm sorry, but I don't know anything about your engine.  I do have a question about it though.  I know the e-unit is responsible for the forward-neutral-reverse-neutral sequence, but why is it called an e-unit?  What does the 'e' stand for?

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Posted by lionelsoni on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 4:27 PM

Many prewar Lionel locomotives were sold in versions with and without the "electrically-controlled mechanism" that is the E-unit.  The "Distant-Control" versions were distinguished by appending an "E" to the basic part number.  So the mechanism that identified these "E" models became known as the "E-unit."

You may offend some afficionados of other brands by referring to their favorite manufacturer's reversing units as "E-units," because of the association of that name with Lionel.

Bob Nelson

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Posted by LL675 on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 7:04 PM

trains2353

Picked up a Marx 1666 engine. Only runs in reverse. Is there an e-unit switch somewhere? Don't see it if there is one.

Next question: Did the 1666 have a rear truck? None on this one.

TIA.

Bob

 

the 1666 did come with front and rear trucks. The Marx reversing units do not have a lever like Lionel.

 

Dave

It's a TOY, A child's PLAYTHING!!! (Woody  from Toy Story)

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Posted by trains2353 on Thursday, April 27, 2017 7:48 AM

Thanks for the info and pic. Nice looking engine. I will lube and clean everything including the reversing unit and see what happens. Have to dig up a rear truck and tender. Considering how long its been since it ran, with a little push, it ran fine in reverse!

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Posted by Mononflyer on Thursday, April 27, 2017 11:38 AM

Be careful with lubing the motor and the e-unit.  I would first clean the motor and e-unit it with electronic cleaner like a good tuner cleaner that does not leave any residue. 

I would only lube the axle and motor bushings with a light oil and use a heaver oil on the gears. There is really nothing on a Marx e-unit to lube.  I have several marx engines and my Dad has many of them.  We have never lubed a Marx e-unit; only cleaned them with a good electronic cleaner.

These Marx engines run forever. You could throw one in a pond for a week, dry it out and it would run.  I don't recommend that though.

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Posted by Chinewalker on Thursday, April 27, 2017 12:44 PM

Not all 1666s had rear trucks.  Those were one of those items they would add or subtract depending on the price point the buyer was looking to hit.  Marx was selling toys to many different retailers, all with their own requirements.  The 1666 came in several flavors, with or without smoke, with our without rear trucks, etc.

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Posted by trains2353 on Friday, April 28, 2017 7:32 AM

The reversing unit is now working. the more I ran it, the better it worked. And it smokes too! I think it has the steam chest smoke also. Do I have to use smoke pills in it?

I will clean it and the motor. Then try and locate a rear truck and a tender.

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Posted by cbq9911a on Friday, April 28, 2017 9:04 AM

Marx steamers use smoke fluid.

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Posted by 8305 on Friday, May 5, 2017 8:15 AM

Hello every one,

I have a few questions on the marx 1666 and sorry to interupt this thread. Cannot figure where the blue button is for a new topic. That said...

I have a Marx 666 shell and a 1666 engine. O gauge. Chest smoker with bottom smoke and top smoke. I am missing a gear side driver rod that pushes the smoke piston in and out for smoke production. Along with what ever connects the drive rod to the metal elbow that is connected to the smoke piston.

  What I have done is formed a bent rod to fit the 1666 marx wheel but need a picture of how the two are connected. What I am asking is: (1) would any one have a diagram or pictures of the connection between the two, so I can attempt to make the connection. (2) since I have never seen the connection it would help. (3) Have contacted Robert at Port Lines and he has no more of these drive rods. He has given info on may be a person who may be able to make one, but I like to be hands on and it enlightens my soul to do it my self with acomplishment.

Thank You and forgive the interuption,

 

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Posted by trains2353 on Monday, May 8, 2017 9:58 AM

I think it will look better with a rear truck. I picked up a Lionel East Coast Lines slope back tender so I can pull some cars. Looks fiting and proper. Anyone have any ideas where I can get a rear truck? Looks like a front one would work too.

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Posted by rrswede on Monday, May 8, 2017 10:17 AM

I have found Robert Grossman to be a valuable source for Marx parts. Here is a link to his site.

http://www.trainpartsformarx.com/shoppingcart.htm

swede

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Posted by trains2353 on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 2:45 PM
I've never had it out but I do know it smokes out of the steam chests.
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Posted by trains2353 on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 3:26 PM

Sent him an email; didn't find one in his parts list. Thanks again.

 

"I have found Robert Grossman to be a valuable source for Marx parts. Here is a link to his site."

http://www.trainpartsformarx.com/shoppingcart.htm

swede

 

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