Marx Train ID

[Sturgeon-Phish]

A friend of mine has this train and would like info on it.  I do not know much at all about Marx Trains.  I would appreciate any info

Thanks

Jim

[MadMarx]

Here is a link that might answer any questions. I can't see the number board under the headlight, but it looks like he has the Marx 898 made between '46 to '52.... The "Baldwin" tear drop spokes on the drive wheels suggests the latter... The center contract shows little wear which tell me this engine has seen minimal time on the track, so after a good cleaning and lube job, it should be a strong runner...  

 

http://fauxtoys.com/pages/490-identifying-marx.html

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Neat site, thank you

Jim

[Dave Farquhar]

Looks like a 590-series locomotive to me. The 898 has a shorter cab. I have serveral of the 590 type locomotives. They're very basic, simple, and reliable. Some have reverse and some don't. It's probably the least expensive tinplate locomotive out there, making it good, cheap fun for running and/or customizing.

I've never had to do anything more than clean the wheels and apply a little grease and oil to get a 590-type locomotive running again, but if you do have to take the motor out for service or cleaning, you just remove the two screws up front, and the motor slides right out.

[MadMarx]

Yes, now that you mention it. Doesn't the 591 have a plastic boiler front? Still has the ol' reliable Marx motor in it.

[Dave Farquhar]

I know at least one version had a plastic boiler front, yes. I have one with a plastic front and two with diecast fronts. Or it could be the other way around. Not sure what numbers got what. There were numerous variations of the 590 series locomotives to meet various price points. At the time it was Marx's least expensive locomotive but sometimes Marx would change or remove features in order to knock the price down even more. Everything but the wheels was negotiable.

[Anonymous]

As has been said, Marx motors are very reliable.  Marx first came out with this type of motor in 1934 with their Commodore Vanderbilt.  When they did, they ran a Commodore Vanderbilt at the Marx factory continuously-eight hours a day, six days a week, non-stop.  After a few months, it finally conked out.  It was then examined to see why.  I don't remember what the exact problem was, but the design of the motor was then altered so it wouldn't happen anymore.  This improved version of the motor was used in almost every engine Marx made until the company's demise in 1976.

In case you don't know, the rolling stock is what is refered to as six-inch.  The plastic knuckle couplers date your set to the 1950's or 60's.  It's nice to find them unbroken.  One too often comes across Marx cars that are in very nice condition, but have broken couplers.  The "flat car" almost definitely was once something else that lost its body.  Marx did use six-inch bases by themselves as flat cars, but they had special attachments on them for hauling whatever load they came with.

Marx trains are very nice and extremely reliable.  There's a certain special charm to them.  However, this is an extremely common set that has seen a lot of use and so monetarily has little value.