Inherited Lionel Train Set and.......

[Anonymous]

So the the set is set up in an oval at the moment and seems to run very well.  My first question in about the cars.  There seems to be 2 types, one with more of a flat locking system and another that looks like a more conventional train set up.  Also, the engine looks to have a flat piece of metal sticking out with a longer slot in it that is not compatible with either!!

 So, now that the kids have seen it out I need to figure out how to get the cars hooked up.  Any tips on what is going on or where I can find the information would be great.  Would love the kids to get into the whole deal as it looks like we are started off with a great and complete set.

 S

[CSXJOE]

It would be helpful if you could list the numbers that are on the sides of each engine/car.  This way your problem can be more easily analyzed.

[lionelsoni]

The "flat locking" couplers might be Marx, not Lionel.  Look for a trademark that is the letters "MAR" over a larger "X", all inside a circle.  The one on the locomotive sounds like a typical steam-locomotive coupler meant only for the tender that should be right behind it.

[Anonymous]

You are correct they are Marx.  Now for another true amateur question - the tender would be the "coal car" or similar that would run behind it?  Thanks and the reward for answering questions will more than likely be more questions :-

Any books in particular, or web sites that are good for beginners?

 

[csxt30]

Luitjens to the forum !! Here is a good Marx site below.

 http://www.thortrains.net/marstart.html

Here is a site for parts !

http://www.trainpartsformarx.com/

There is also a Marx museum, but I can't find it now. Maybe if you do a search, you may find it.

Thanks, John 

[jimhaleyscomet]

Until you get the proper couplers all figured out....try attaching the car couplers together with a twist tie or zip tie.  The Marx "tab and slot" coupler will sometimes go into the top of the more realistic looking Marx train coupler.   If the set has different types of couplers, see if any of the cars were set up as "converter" cars with one type of coupler on one end and a different coupler on the other end. 

 Jim H

[lionelsoni]

Yes, the proper name for the "coal car" is "tender".  It might have coal, oil, or wood for fuel, and always water for the boiler.

[CSXect]

Sounds like a mish mash of Marx trains.........cool Marx are good runners at a lower price and easy to find at train shows should you want to add to the set. I have some marx with flat pronged metal couplers and I have some marx from the 70' s or 60's that have a plastic pronged coupler. Couplers and track systems ther are just so many of them...a conversion car can be made from a junker by giving it two differnt types of truck/couplers. Happy train hunting

[Dave Farquhar]

Marx trains are fun and usually pretty inexpensive. Marx's knuckle and handshake couplers aren't compatible so if you want to run them together, the best bet is to make a conversion car, with one of each coupler on each side. Do you have a shop that sells trains nearby, by any chance? The first time I needed a conversion car, a train store near me made one for me. I bought an $8 car and he changed one of the couplers for me. Charged a couple of dollars to do it.

[Anonymous]

Thanks to everyone for the help!