Took a few new pictures of some of my Marx trains on my layout. Not a big layout, but it's still fun to run! lol
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Very nice, Andy. What size is this layout? Thinking about putting together something compact.
Great!
Peter
Originally Posted by Yukon Jack:
Very nice, Andy. What size is this layout? Thinking about putting together something compact.
Thanks YJ,
The layout is 39" x 80"
It's built on a 36" x 80" hollow core door slab, with 2x2 extensions screwed onto the long sides. The layout could be stored on end if the need arose.
Very cool..worthy of posting a video ( hint..hint )
As an aside, have you noticed the dearth of tinplate videos when compared to hi-rail? Leaving commercial videos aside. Maybe it's a herd instinct.
There are so many hi-rail layouts covered that they become a blur where one folds into the next while they can be amazing, it's almost like a dinner that leaves out 2/3 of the meal. As far as coverage of tinplate..I gave up on that as a balance of layout types so any example posted here is a treat. I wonder if Tinplate Times has an update coming? That other publication still seems to be stuck in Lionelville as the alpha and omega of classic. The TM videos on RFD as I recorded them are so heavily focused on Lionel they became redundant. How many times can you view the same stuff? I started to fast forward the playbacks ( lol) just to find something I have not seen ten times before.
Well..thats my gripe of the day. I must be a cantankerous old coot as my wife says.
I have been pondering a project on the cheap documenting Marx layouts on video as a collaborative project..I think that alone would be worth something. Probably a pipe dream.
Thanks for posting. Id like to see more.
electroliner: I second your motions, except I have never looked at a tinplate tape,
because all screamed "Lionel" on the package.
Nice layout, more pictures please!
Are you using Marx O-34 curves on the outer loop?
Are you using Marx O-34 curves on the outer loop?
Thanks guys,
i'll have to experiment with video I guess. More pictures for now.
The gas station is "paper plate" cardstock version of an old Marx service station. Most of the buildings are cardstock fake tin and possibly all will be one day except for any tin I come across like the Girard depot. The outer loop is O-27 curves with a straight section in the middle.
Very cool; I especially like the 999 and the tin 7 inch tender.
Jim McC
very nice! I still want that NKP tender...
Hello HandyAndy, I love your small Marx layout it very nice looking and bet you have lot of fun with that layout too. Lots train action on that small that very cool to me. I am really big fan of small layouts for Marx Trains. I am starting to see more and more small layouts for Marx witch I just love too. Thanks longbow57ca.
Hello HandyAndy, I think your layout is neat and the way to go for people living in small apartments or rent rooms who want to run their Marx trains it a very cool layout too. You should also put your layout in OGR magazine and Classic Toy Trains magazine. It would give people a lot of good ideas they do not need a large layout to have fun. This winter I going to build a small layout like yours for the Train shows I go too. Thanks for the photos of the layout I just love it my friend and great for Marx trains too. Thanks longbow57ca.
Longbow,
Thanks for the kind words. The layout had changed a bit in the last couple of years. I've reworked it with a more toy train vibe that works better with Marx tin and also the prewar AF and Lionel that I've picked up since.
Hello HandyAndy, Yes I am big fan your Marx small layout to me is great. What like best you run Marx Trains to me that is very cool and neat. I just love Marx Trains I been running them over 60 years and still playing with too. Andy what Marx transformer you running your trains with? I love Marx #1669 - 100watt transformer with red restart button on it. I buy them when go to train shows and ebay when I see them. The Marx #1669 is the best for the money I think. I usually pay $10.00 to $ 30.00 depends if working or not or condition of transformer. I must have about 20 of them in my stock pile I guess that will last me 4 life times HA! HA! Thanks Andy you are very cool and kind my friend thank you longbow57ca.
Hello Andy, I see you are using Lionel #1033 -90watt transformer. I have few of those too and also KW is also good it is my favorite Lionel transformer. To me the ZW transformer is to expensive to buy for me on a pension, but a good transformer too. Thanks longbow57ca.
Longbow, watch for the American Flyer 18b and 32b(?) too. I bet you'd love the opposing Dead man throttles, and the price is usually good. My tmcc sounds and some more sensitive whistle tenders cry nonstop in a fit of AF protest, but the simple trains love them. I'd say the 18b was the competition for the KW in wattage; and for its looks a cross between the TW, KW, and ZW. And the version with gauges? That was their "Cadillac".
The handles turn like Tw/kws but are spring loaded to raise up for power off when not firmly pressed into the lock clip. For direction cycles, you use the handle like a telegraph key if you want to maintain the set voltage.
Hello ADRIATIC, I have some those AF transformers 18b and 32b I think they very good too but sure getting expensive now, The AF transformers I like and buy are for a lot cheaper price at trains shows are 12b-250 watt and 4b-100watt and they work very good for me too. Thanks for answering me about those AF transformers Thanks longbow57ca.
My pleasure, I'm guessing the graphite used as contacts on the Deadman is the cause of the near nonstop erratic whistles. I'm betting the others without it do fine. And AF used frequency change as a whistle trigger, not tiny DC offsets. Other than that, I love my 18b. Not too big, not to small.
The light weight doesn't really reflect its capabilities in comparison to heavy transformers of the same output either.
Hello ADRRIATIC, To me all the heavy transformers from the three makers Lionel, American Flyer, Marx, you cannot go wrong with them they all work fine for your layouts big and small. I also like the big Marx #1859-150watt transformer it is also good and dependable transformer. I like all these transformers you mention too all very good transformers and very dependable too. Thanks longbow57ca.
