Marx 1998 UP Switcher, AC OR DC? Is that a HORN? HELP!

[TeddyB]

Hi ALL!
Well......I found me an old Marx 1998 UP Switcher! It looks to be in good shape! My questions...I have a few! Does this run on AC....OR DC?? It tried hooking to DC, It clicks once, or everytime I complete the circuit. I put AC to it from a Lionel AC Xfer it just clicks?? Is this motor DEAD??? CAn I bring it back to life?? I can make it roll in my hands, it has some resistence, but it does move freely. IS the thing that's inside the plastic body compartment the HORN? And IF it is, how do you make it work?? Pix below!

Many, Many thamks! Ted

[Dave Farquhar]

That looks like the standard Marx universal motor to me, intended to run on AC but capable of running on DC. If it's clicking when you turn it on, it sounds like the e-unit probably is a bit gummed up. Try giving it a blast of TV tuner cleaner, let it dry, and see if that makes it come to life.

[csxt30]

I don't believe it has a horn it. At least I don't see it in the pictures.

[krapug1]

These are great little engines, and they are intended to run on AC.
It features a 2 position reverse (forward/reverse), and it sounds like yours is equiped with the Marx Diesel Roar. The Diesel Roar is a primitve sound unit designed to mimick the sounds of a diesel engine. Many describe the roar as sounding like the engine is ready to die. The UP you have is the only S-2 to have the roar (to the best of my knowledge). These units also feature a headlight, and a matching dummy unit was also made. It looks like yours is missing the plastic decorative truck covers, that can be ordered from Robert Grossman Company.

K-Line modified the tooling and made thier own S-2's until 1995.

[TeddyB]

Hi Dave!
THANKS!
After looking at this motor more...I realized that it's just a BIG Aurora Pancake Style motor! I took it apart, shot it with some Brake Cleaner (Just like tuner cleaner, this brand is just Alcohol, it evaporates). I hit the brushes with an Eraser from a pencil, did the Armature too! Appliead power....runs like a CHAMP!

I think that thing in the Body IS the HORN! Except now all it does is BUZZ! IS that the noise it was supposed to make?

Many, Many Thanks, Ted