Calling all Marx people

[rtraincollector]

I got in what I was told is O gauge Marx train set. It's a friction motor in the engine. 

1ST is it a Marx? 

2nd if so How common is it?

3rd is it a custom made piece 

4th Any info on it would be great 

Thanks in advance 

here's pics 

[JamesP]

Yes, it is Marx!  It is the battery operated version of the 591/533 that was sold in the mid to late 50's.  There are supposed to be two "D" cells inserted through the cab into the boiler - the wire retainer that is visible through the cab window is pulled down to the cab floor, the two batteries slid into place, and the wire released so it makes contact with the negative end of the last battery.  There is supposed to be a fiber lever protruding through the slot in the boiler just behind the smokestack.  Move it one way, it goes forward, the other way reverse, and center is off.  If you cant find or make a replacement lever, you could always solder in a DPDT switch instead.  These actually run pretty good, considering they were a low end trainset at the time.  Marx also made battery operated 401 plastic body locomotives.  This isn't what I would call an uncommon locomotive, but they tend to get overlooked by collectors, so sometimes you have to search a bit to uncover one.

Here are a few of my battery operated Marx locomotives in action:

watch?v=8eqzAjRFGe8

 - James

[JamesP]

Here are some variations of the 533 Marx locomotives.  The top two are battery operated, the rest are windup variations.  Marx designated this locomotive a 591 if it was a 3 rail electric powered locomotive, or a 533 if it was a windup.  I never have discovered what the proper number is for the battery version, so I just call them the 591/533 battery locomotive:

 - James 

[rtraincollector]

Thanks that is it the closer I look I now see whats left of the switch and where the batteries go and a couple of wires up there. Now I know what I have 

[wallyworld]

Heres a later Marx battery engine redecorated..