Do you have any marx trains such as the 1666?

I like the one I have. Something a little different. Don't run it often or hard. If the $$ is reasonable-go for it.

If you get the grey one with the Santa Fe tender, it has sounds already. It was called Sound O  Power, and was similar to Lionel's Mighty Sound of Steam. Of course it usually goes for a bit more than the ones without, so it's probably not a very good candidate for modifying...

I run mine occasionally at our modular club layouts, usually with 3 or 4 cars and a caboose. Our run times are supposed to be a half hour long, and it runs fine for that, though I have to refill the smoke unit several times during each session.

I am pretty sure they all have double reduction gearing, but just in case they didn't, or in case someone before swapped motors, make sure the one you get does. Single reduction gears won't pass through modern switches or crossings because the gear is too large (extends all the way to the edge of the flange)

J White

I have a few: 400, 490,666 and a 1666. J White is right about not running on the modern track well but most run OK on the FF stuff. Mine spend most of the time in the display cabinet but I do run them on the carpet central from time to time.

Dan

I've had them, but have just one now, the gray one that j white refers to.  They are very reliable and good smokers.  But those I have had wouldn't pull much.  They need traction.  I don't know if any were available with traction tires; none of mine were, but that would take care of the problem.

I actually prefer the 666, which is very similar but diecast instead of plastic.

I have a 1666 that is a smooth runner and a good puller. It could haul 50 (new) car trains at a steady slow pace on a level route. One day, though, after pulling the long train for about a half hour, the board gave up the ghost and it stopped. A friend repaired it and now the engine runs as good as ever. The failure was my fault - too much current for too long...lesson learned.

Neil 

The 1666 and 666 (die-cast version) are great locos. Use a Lionel tender and you can pull cars with knuckle couplers.

I have never liked the looks of the 666 or 1666, much less 400 or 490, so I only have

999, 333, and 1829  (although I don't really care for the 1829's plastic shell)

I'm with you.  1829 is a disappointing puller for its size.  It would be a great loco with a diecast shell.

I had Marx as a kid and have a number of their locos now, including severa tinplate pre-war wind up sets.  I like the postwar electric sets best, though.  i grew up with them. 

Marx is very reliable and easy to service.  Personally, I would not try to add electronics.  To me, they have their own charm.  Most of my other trains have sounds, but when I run the M10000 on a simple loop, that always gets attention from young and old.

K-Line made a circus loco using the 1829 mold. It is equipped with a can motor and traction tires. It pulls very well and, when repainted, looks like the 1829.

I don't have a 1666, but I do have the 333,666,999. All great engines.

Sure.  I have the 1958 Marx AllState set.

Here it is posed on the Panhandle (where I've never run it).  The Marx #666 usually runs around the Christmas tree.  Given recent events, there won't be a Christmas tree this year (but the birth of Christ will be celebrated).

George

I have the 333 with the NYC passenger cars and the 999 with some 3/16 freight cars. Fine stuff!

Yep, I do that too!  The 237 tender works great and allows me to pull Lionel cars!  The 666 runs a lot better than the 237 scout.

George

I have two 666s one of which is in a complete set I inherited from my Grandfather.  Both of these engines run superbly and produce prodigious amounts of smoke.  I also have two 333s one of which is a smoker while the other one is not.  These engines also run great.  I have a couple of Marx wind ups as well and they also still run good.  Marx may have been inexpensive but their engines were quite durable and were very reliable runners.  I love their stuff.

I've got the 333

I have the wrong tender though

That is the correct tender. the majority of 333 locos came with this tender, rather than the diecast one everybody looks for.

I have a great love for Marx Trains.  Many thanks for the photo's

of the 333, and the heads up on a Lionel Tender to run Lionel, and

other named rolling stock.  The next time I am at a Train Show I 

will look for the 333 & the 1666.  

Many thanks,

Billy C

I totally agree,  These were the best of Marx' steamers, IMO.  I have a #999 from 1942, and it runs just as nicely as you could want.

#198 was the cutest, though.