Louis Marx #666 train engine

...new transformer...nice gift, BTW.

Mark in Oregon

You might want to be careful with that flat car with the Burlington trailers.

Completed auctions:

Marx trains Nice! 5545 C.B.& Q DUEL BURLINGTON TRAILER FLATCAR EXC!

Marx CB&Q #5545 Flatcar With 2 Silver/gray Burlington Trailers

I'd keep the old transformer just since you have the set, but there are plenty of other transformers out there. Nice score!

I’m having issues with the engine already. Its starting off slowly and doesn’t get more than an inch or two before the transformer stops it from moving all together. Any suggestions? I’m running it on the right voltage and still little to no power.. kinda at a loss here might just need a new motor, but if anyone has suggestions let me know.

have you cleaned and lubed the motor? Cleaned the pickup?

You might want to do a routine service on the locomotive since I would bet it hasn't been run in awhile. A clean and lube should wake it up in short order.

Jim McC.

Ont Sou posted:

You might want to do a routine service on the locomotive since I would bet it hasn't been run in awhile. A clean and lube should wake it up in short order.

 

Jim McC.

 

That did the job. I sprayed a little carb cleaner on the magnet and cleaned that as well. Running fine with a little resistance when pulling all the cars. 

be careful when using a non-Marx transformer.  Marx motors (and transformers) were designed to run on ~12vac max.

Those transformers are pretty simple so if you're comfortable open it up & see what you can see. There might be a break in the cord insulation touching the case causing the shock & smoke.

balidas posted:

Those transformers are pretty simple so if you're comfortable open it up & see what you can see. There might be a break in the cord insulation touching the case causing the shock & smoke.

That wouldn't surprise me in the least.  I've had to replace many cords on Marx transformers, because the rubber insulation had dried out and crumbled.

overlandflyer posted:

be careful when using a non-Marx transformer.  Marx motors (and transformers) were designed to run on ~12vac max.

Both the transformers I’m running are conventional 12v 60w 3amp transformers. Same as described in the manual. I did read that somewhere besides the manual. And I think when I get a chance I’m just going to open up the other transformer and try to fix the issue. Just to have an extra. Thank you for the warning. Honestly I’d be devastated if I ruined this little baby. It seems hard to find a Marx in good shape and I lucked out and got one handed to me.

And the "Lucky Dog" award for the first quarter of 2019 goes to... envelop please...

(drum roll)

...BICBOY95!!!

(Roar of applause and cheers)

NEAT set!

You lucky dog, you!

Andre

laming posted:

And the "Lucky Dog" award for the first quarter of 2019 goes to... envelop please...

(drum roll)

...BICBOY95!!!

(Roar of applause and cheers)

NEAT set!

You lucky dog, you!

Andre

 

Thanks Andre honestly the guy was pretty straight forward. He said his kids weren’t having kids and he wanted to pass it down to someone who was going to and also would take care of it. I’m pretty happy to say that so long as some people still show their kids these kinds of things Model railroading will be safeguarded to the future! Haha but seriously it was a lucky pickup and I’m just glad it wasn’t a Craigslist scam. Onto a more repair related note anyone have any tips or tricks to stop getting electrocuted by this transformer? I’ve pulled it apart reattached the wall plug wires (correctly). The coil was a little worn so I gave it a dust off and that’s all I could find.. the wall wires weren’t detatched just freyed a little and the coil wasn’t in terrible shape just a little gruff. Here’s some pics of before the repairs.

Here's a standard trick I used whenever opening up and servicing a transformer for any reason.  Pinch a tight loop of the wire between the thumb and forefinger.  Completely close the wire loop under as much pressure as you can with you thumb and forefinger.  Open the loop up and closely examine the insulation on the wire.  If you can see a fatigue break anywhere in the wire, replace the wire and plug completely.  Replace it with the same strain relief knot that was in the original wire.  99 times out of 100, the problem is in aged wire insulation that easily cracks open and exposes the wires themselves to the case or to each other, resulting in the sparks and/or electric shock. 

Jim Barrett posted:

Here's a standard trick I used whenever opening up and servicing a transformer for any reason.  Pinch a tight loop of the wire between the thumb and forefinger.  Completely close the wire loop under as much pressure as you can with you thumb and forefinger.  Open the loop up and closely examine the insulation on the wire.  If you can see a fatigue break anywhere in the wire, replace the wire and plug completely.  Replace it with the same strain relief knot that was in the original wire.  99 times out of 100, the problem is in aged wire insulation that easily cracks open and exposes the wires themselves to the case or to each other, resulting in the sparks and/or electric shock. 

Think this might be the issue perhaps? Overlooked it my first go around. Just saw it now.

From what I can see, entirely possible. I'd replace it & see what are the results.

Alright guys I’ve operated and reassembled with the help of an exploded diagram and it’s just not working. I think something is wrong with the coil and unfortunately that’s out of my range of knowledge. If anyone is selling a 110-120v AC 50w opt transformer for as cheap as these suckers go for I’d be interested! Otherwise the train runs beautifully on the track with a lionel 50 watt 3amp 12v transformer! Thanks again for everyone help!

I run my trains (Marx, Lionel, one MTH) with my Lionel Type Vs, just don't need to crank the transformer up, those Marx are rocket ships!

With the gazillions of these 50 watt Marx transformers out there, l'd pick up another in a show or off the net, without fooling with a bad one.

Steamer posted:

I run my trains (Marx, Lionel, one MTH) with my Lionel Type Vs, just don't need to crank the transformer up, those Marx are rocket ships!

Unfortunately between Christmas and my vacation I’m gonna have to wait to get a type v however that’s been on my

list for a while because it can run more that one loco. It’s definitely the next thing I need to set out to get. On another notni just revamped my layout and I absolutely love it. Just a small basic layout for a very small table. It used to be my Christmas layout so disregard the cheesey fake grass rug.

Don't use carb cleaner ! Far too potent. If it still running your lucky imo.

  It can dissolve the paint that protects coil wires from themselves!   It is basically just clear/semi clear lacquer paint.  

Try CRC elctrical cleaner if you want to spray something.(yes brand can matter)

  In general, avoid "loose wettness" of solvents and stick to dampened rag wiping of electrical things.