What can you guys tell me about this engine? I've done a bit of searching on the web and came up empty.
Thanks!
Looks to me like it might be a MARX, (Tinpplate style). MARX Metal trains were sold in varing sized sets in the 40s, 1950'S. AND INTO THE EARLY 1960s. The trains were changed from all lithographed tinplate (late 1940's to 1950s) to moulded plastic in the 1960s
They ran on similar track to LIonel (3 rails) ( a lighter equivalent to to Lionel O-27 style) . Engine shells, and cars were formed out of lithographed tinplate on early models. Later, of course were a heavy molded plastic. Couplers were moulded black plastic and early ones has some metal parts, later of course was all moulded plastic parts.
It also appears that the plastic truck side on the rear truck is missing. The couplers would be Marx and resembled a kind of knife style coupler. They had to be rotated from the flat up slightly to uncouple.
They came as a set: Some had two F units and several cars plus a caboose. The set came with enough curved track to make a circle and a couple of pieces of straight track ( could create an oval). Transformer was very small and used a rheostat for control of train speed.
IIRC MARX did make some wind-up trains in a similar size to their O gauge/O-27 size units in Tinplate (later in Plastic.)
Those MARX Trains) things were played with both indoors, and outside and took some hellish punishment from the kids. It would almost be miraculous that any survived intact, let alone unbroken.
Definitely a Marx #21. According to the Greenberg's Marx Guide, they were made from 1950 - 1954. I think they came in sets of two, one powered (what you have) and one unpowered. The powered unit had the Marx slot & tab coupler on the rear, no coupler on the front. The unpowered unit had a slot and tab coupler on the "back" and a Marx fork tilt type coupler on the nose to mate with the cars that came with them. Nice units - I was just running a pair today at on a friend's layout! Enjoy your Marx!
- James
This would be better asked on the Classic Toy Trains site(this is Classic Trains)
With this caveat, I am no expert on this, but will tell what I can.
1. Prototype is and EMD FT.
2. I would guess this is a Lionel model based on size.
3.The rear truck is missing its side frame.
It would help if their were some more pics.
The shots that would help:
1. 3/4 view showing either a. the left front and right rear or the right front and left rear.
2. A close picture showing all of the bottom.
Rgds IGN
Looks like others have posted better info since I wrote mine.
Thx IGN