I am into Lionel and know very little about Marx. We have and old Marx transformer, cat. no.1249 (50 watts alternating---110-120 volts---60 cycles). It has a connection (7-13 volts) for track and one for accessories (13 volts) and a 'reset' button. When we tried it, it seemed to work fine EXCEPT it has a rather loud hum ( i.e.compared to my Lionel transformer). Is this sound "normal" or would it be wise to just chuck it? As always, many thanks.
If you're getting the normal voltage out of it, I would just watch its temperature for a while to be sure it's not overheating. Some transformers have looser laminations than others.
You may find that 13 volts is a little low for some Lionel locomotives, although old Marx transformers are all I had as a kid with my Lionel trains.
Bob Nelson
I was in the local hobby shop saturday and a lady came in saying she had some old trains her Dad had bought when she was an infant, This is anothe rone of those potential situations of being in teh right place at the right time, as my local shop kind of stopped buying post war Lionel. When I happen to be there and someone comes in to sell, they refer them to me, and I can make an offer. So this persons trains had my interest.
She came back in with an original set box, which really had my attention. Opened it up and it was Marx. All original, a full what the train store guy refered to as a Commadore Vanderbilt set -- engine, tender, three cars, caboose, original track, transformer and all the original packaging. Not something of interest to me, but I was surprised at how little value it had. Might have been in the low $100.00 or so range if I recall correctly. He didn't make her a lo ball offer, just quoted here prices from a book lettinmg her know what he thought it would bring if she went to sell it to a private party or on ebay.
You are seeing the beauty of Marx 027 trains........ same today as in yesteryear. They were toys first and always. Spend some time on E-bay looking at Marx and you'll see how much you can obtain for not very much money. Stuff that still runs great and is servicable. No $3500 GG1's in original boxes with original tubes of lube and instructions though! I remember watching THAT auction a couple of years back! Wow. And Bob is right on the transformer; let it hum away if not overheating. At least you'll know to shut down the plug strip for the night!
Jim
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