MARX Train Set - Looking for new power pack and track......

[Dave Farquhar]

It's much, much easier to get every other make of train to run on Marx switches (especially the older all-metal ones) than it is to get the fat-gear Marxes to run on much of anything else.

[lionelsoni]

Jim's warning applies only to non-Marx switches. Marx locomotives will operate on Marx O27 switches.

[jimhaleyscomet]

Please beware that not all Marx engines will operate on 027 switches. There is sometimes a gear inside the wheel that bumps on the track. This will not be a problem if you just run an oval. Try one switch before buying a bunch. Also, I prefer the new K-line 027 switches. They are less money, have less overhang, and have provision for separate transformer power.

Jim H

[Anonymous]

Great! Thank you all for your suggestions. This helps a lot!

[palallin]

Marx did put out 5-tie 027 curves with matching short 027 5-tie straights.

[lionelsoni]

Original O34 is not that hard to find, at shows and on Ebay. I've amassed a pile of it, both track and switches.

[Dave Farquhar]

A quick way to identify Marx O34 vs O27 track is to look at the number of ties. O34 curves have five metal ties. O27 curves have three.

O27 is a lot more common. Unfortunately there's no modern substitute for O34, so if you want or need wide radius track, you'll have to go to Lionel or K-Line O42, or get flextrack and bend your own (yuck).

[lionelsoni]

Marx curves were made in both O27 and O34, the latter being a sort of premium version.

Sometimes folks think that they need a more powerful transformer when they have more track. What they need is less electrical resistance between the transformer and the train. More power won't help; but more voltage can to an extent overcome the voltage drop lost to track resistance. Marx transformers tended to put out less voltage than Lionel; so you could use a Lionel transformer to advantage if you have a voltage-drop problem. However, a better solution if that problem arises is tighter track joints or feeder wires to supplement the rails. Then, if the transformer runs the train on a short track, it will run it on a long track; and you need a bigger transformer only if you're going to run more trains.

[cnw1995]

Another good source for everything Marx is at http://www.trainmarket.com/

[underworld]

Welcome to the forum!

I think Dr. John pretty much covered it. You shoud have no problem finding what you are looking for on eBay.......don't forget train shows. Often you can find a good bargain on track and transformers there.

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[Dr. John]

Hi staggerlee!

First, [#welcome] to the forum.

As to your question, any three-rail track will do. Marx track is similar to Lionel's O-27 track and will join with it without modification. The curve diameters are slightly different with Marx having a 34 inch (someone correct me if I'm wrong)
diameter curve on their curved track and turnouts. Lionel's O-27 is available in 27 inch and 42 inch diameter curves and turnouts. K-Line, Gargraves and a host of other brands will work fine.

For the transformer, you will probably want to upgrade as 50 watts is pretty anemic if you want more than a loop of track. Again, you have several options. Lionel and K-Line have transfomers as does MRC. I assume you want conventional AC operation since you are running Marx. Ebay is a pretty good source for track and transformers, just be careful shopping there.

Good luck with your railroad! [:)]

[Anonymous]

I have a MARX Southern Pacific set. I would like to replace the old track and possibly the transformer. Can anyone suggest what I should be purchasing? The transformer says it puts out a maximum of 50 watts. I heard Lionel track should do fine, but I want to confirm it. Thanks.