Help!! Marx reversing unit won't reverse.... well, sometimes it will.

[Anonymous]

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To acquire a particular item in an auction, I had to purchase the entire lot of items that were in the box.

Two of the items in the lot were Marx 400 locomotives.

I thoroughly cleaned and lubricated both of them.

While attempting to run them on Lionel 027 track with a Lionel 1033 transformer,  the electronic reverse unit would not reverse, every so often.

This usually occurs after running them for several minutes, shutting them down for another 10 minutes, and then attempting to run them again.

When restarting them, they are stuck in neutral, and it takes numerous pushes on the Lionel transformer reverse throttle, or a shaking/thump on the locomotive, to make it perform normally.

I'm not that familiar with Marx trains, and was wondering what the solution (if any) there is to correct a problematic Marx reversing unit.

Thanks for any information or advice you can offer to resolve this dilemma.

 

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[Icemanmike]

That is not unheard of with older marx engines! I have a pre war engine that was really sluggish when I first got her. After some tuner cleaner, and basic lubrication...she runs like new. I do have a few engines that run exactly like you said. The good news is that most of the newer (post war) engines will fit and run alot better....but that also envolves another purchace.....but usualy the e unit will change if it gets a slight jar. Also as with some lionel engines, some marx engines have a little slide switch that will control the direction the reverser. Well good luck & welcome to the world of MARX!!

[Anonymous]

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Icemanmike,

Thanks so much for your info about the older Marx reversing units.

I'll have to purchase some tuner cleaner and do as you suggested.  However, I'm not
exactly sure where to spray the lubricant.

Any suggetions?

Haven't located the "direction" switch that you mentioned.  Perhaps these units are to old too incorporate one.

Also, one motor has the light bulb fixture, but the other does not. 

Perhaps both are from a different time period, or Marx offered a cheaper locomotive that did not have a light bulb.

Is there the "definitive" resource book of Marx trains, showing all their different train sets, locomotives, railcars and accessories?

Thanks!

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[Dave Farquhar]

Zero-residue contact cleaner is a better bet than TV tuner cleaner, since the lube can gum up the unit. You want to spray up front--the paper-covered thing is your target. I've often had luck just spraying, letting it drip out, picking up the motor and shaking it a few times, spraying it again, and letting it dry.

As for a definitive guide to Marx, no such thing. Marx would change anything and everything to meet a store's desired price point. The Greenberg books took a stab at it but they've been out of print for years and are very expensive when you can find them. Walt Hiteshew is working on some CD-ROM references but so far only the 6-inch guide is complete. He's at http://www.toyandtrainguides.com/

[c50truck]

"c50truck wrote: I use the 11oz can CRC QD Electronic Cleaner. Seems to work great for my use. No Residue. I purchase it at the local Do-It-Best hardware store. It's also sold at the local NAPA, but at a slightly higher cost. This item can really remove the crud. Rod LaFrance Rod, That sounds great, but.... will it solve my problem? (Click link below) http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/1085009/ShowPost.aspx"

Steven,

Noticed your quote, and post on the topic of TV Tuner cleaner, so I moved my answer over here.

Can't say it will cure your problem, but it has helped cleanup, and cure many of the ills, of the numerous Marx engines I've aquired. Usually, I take an moter apart, clean all the parts individually before I even try to run them. I spray and let dry the reversing unit similar to Dave mentioned above, than reassemble. I do take note and try to replace brushes as they came out.

These steps have been working for me. Side note, I also use Lionel transformers. I like the KW's, they work well for Marx, and Postwar Lionel. The reversing units of my clean Marx engines responed quickly to the transformer reversing button.

Rod L.

 

[Anonymous]

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Dave and c50truck,

Thanks so much for your valuable information on the type of cleaner to use and where/how to spray it.

I'll give it try and report my results- (crossing my fingers and saying a prayer or two )

Having never owned or run a Marx loco, I was quite surpised how much pulling power they have.

For a young child's first loco, where you don't have a heart attack if it speeds of the the track and gets a scratch or two, they're really a bargain on the various auction websites.

I just might buy a couple more for customization, too!!

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[Icemanmike]

Be carefull...... that is how I got hooked on marx.
Yea the guys bring up a good point about gumming up engines...I forgot about the difference...good lookin out guys!!

[Dave Farquhar]

There are several appealing things about Marx. They're easy to work on, and once any problem they have is fixed (usually minor) they tend to run for a very long time. They're inexpensive too, which is nice on a few counts--you can run a common Marx locomotive and do anything else you want with it without fear of destroying something really valuable, and you can get a lot more of them for your money.

They're fun to customize too. Marx liked to re-use designs with different paint/litho jobs to get maximum life out of its tooling. Nothing stops us from looking at a 50-year-old design today and doing the same thing.

The really low-end Marx engines won't pull like a Lionel from the same era, although a Marx 666 will out-pull the low-end Lionels all day. But it's surprising what they'll do, and at $10-$20 for a 400 or 490 (or a 590-series if you want tinplate) they're cheap fun. A 666 will set you back more like $40, which is about what a Lionel Scout will cost you, and the 666 is a better locomotive.

One thing to watch is that the low-end Marxes won't go through Lionel switches because of the way their wheels are designed. Also they tend to run fast off Lionel transformers, because the low end of a Marx transformer kicked out a lower voltage. Most Marxes came with O27 curves but due to the high speed I find they run a lot better on wider curves. I really like mine on O42. I can run them at frighteningly high speeds and they still stay on. The wide curves also help you pull a longer train. 

[Jumijo]

I just purchased my first Marx on Saturday. I paid $17.51 for a 666. I looked it over and noticed how simplistic it is to disassemble and clean.

Jim 

[Dave Farquhar]

Jim, you got a good deal. The least I've ever paid for one is $10, but book value is more like $35-$40 (I've paid that much too). It's a lot of locomotive for $17. Everything Marx made used the same basic motor design, so they're all that simple to work on. Great for learning.

[Jumijo]

 

Thanks, David. I had a chance to look it over and love how easy it looks to tear down and work on. Below is a photo of the actual loco and tender I won, along with a Pennsy gondola. It's in almost like-new condition with almost no chips or rubs at all.

 

I'm going to have a priest bless it because the number on the cab creeps me out!

Jim 

[Warburton]

I've found that a good "rap" on the top of a Marx engine will often get it to reverse directions. Worth a try or two anyway!

[Anonymous]

stevend:  Help!! Marx reversing unit won't reverse.... well, sometimes it will.

Warburton:  I've found that a good "rap" on the top of a Marx engine will often get it to reverse directions. Worth a try or two anyway!

Yes.  That's exactly what was necessary to convince the E-Unit that it wasn't doing what it was told !!  Shame on that problematic E-Unit!
Hopefully, when it gets an electronic cleaner/spray shower, it'll wise up and fly right.

jaabat:

I just purchased my first Marx on Saturday. I paid $17.51 for a 666. I looked it over and noticed how simplistic it is to disassemble and clean.

Jim

 
Well, now  you've done it! 

I'm going to have to find me an ole Marx 666 to keep the ole Marx 400's company. 

Dave,

Thanks for the info on the Marx 490 and 590-Tinplate series.  I'll take a look at those, and may have to add them to the collection.

Now, see what you guys have started?  Another Marx train collector/runner!

And, don't get me started on Marx accessories!

(Though, I have to ask- What do you think were the Marx "Top Ten" train accessories?
That is, if one thought he might get one or two or three, to keep his stable of Marx loco's happy? )

Thanks for eveyone's info and suggestions.  Oh, yeah...  and my credit card company thanks you, too!

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[Dave Farquhar]

(Though, I have to ask- What do you think were the Marx "Top Ten" train accessories?
That is, if one thought he might get one or two or three, to keep his stable of Marx loco's happy? )

Accessories... Marx made a wonderful switch tower. Tin litho, lighted, with a tiny footprint of maybe 3 square inches. It'll fit absolutely anywhere. Nice, inexpensive, and common. Looks good on any pre- or postwar layout, and I've even seen it on S and even Standard Gauge layouts.

Marx's crossing signals/gates are oversized, so they look better on an SG layout than on O (to some eyes at least) but again, they're common and inexpensive.

The tin Girard, Oak Park, and Glendale stations are wonderful. The Marx freight station is bigger and more expensive, but still great.

The holy grail is the Marx skyscraper and/or department store. They're big, with prices to match. A little oversize for O, but if I found one, I wouldn't complain. 1/43 vehicles are a little oversized too. They were sold as playsets but if I had one or both, they'd be the centerpiece of my layout.

Marx also made a nice hand-operated crane that snaps onto a track section for unloading gondolas. Cheap and fun. 

That should give you a start... 

[Icemanmike]

I'm going to have a priest bless it because the number on the cab creeps me out!

Jim

I always thought about puting red lights in the headlight , above the drivers & in the cab..."the demon train"

just if ya want to have fun....it looks good!

[Jumijo]

I picked up my "new" Marx 666 last night and ran it after lubing and oiling it. It runs like a top! Cycles perfectly (no neutral) and is quiet! Great puller too. After I ran it for an hour or so, I took it apart, just out of curiosity. I was going to clean the commutator and brushes, but it's running so well, I left it alone. Very easy to work on. It makes me wonder what Lionel could have learned from Marx back in the day...

This won't be my last Marx. That's for sure!

Jim 

[Dave Farquhar]

Jim, once you buy your first, it usually leads to another and another. Marx trains are kind of like crack that way. 

As for reliability, from what I understand, if you shipped a broken train back to Marx or brought it to their NYC office way back when, they'd fix it for free, whatever the age. I guess it was cheaper to build 'em to last than it was to fix them a lot.

I heard a story from another Marx fan that as a boy, he went to 200 Fifth Avenue into Marx's office there, got lost, and ran into a kind-looking older man. He held up his train and asked if he knew where he needed to take it in order to fix it. The gentleman led him to a small office where a technician fixed trains. Years later, he saw a picture of Louis Marx, and he believes the man who helped him that day was Marx himself. I have no idea if it's true, but it sure makes for a nice story.

[Jumijo]

Dave, I've read similar stories about JL Cowen and little boys. Who knows if they're true or not? I'd like to get a 333 some day, but I already have the K-Line version of it, so we'll see.

Jim