Marx 333 Complete Overhaul

Yes, you can put in the mechanism from the K-Line look alike.

 

But why not have someone who knows how to fix postwar locos fix this one for you?

 

This one is the deluxe model with a smoke unit. If you have not mucked around with it to the point that it absolutely cannot be fixed, it should be relatively straightforward to repair - IF you have not killed it completely.

Bellcaptain, you can do everything you mention to the old steamer but I would not paint it.The cost to do what you won't could buy a nice used Steamer most likely right on the forum. If I had an engine from my childhood I spend the cash and make that Baby Smoke and Whistle to the cow's come home…….

Marx motors are pretty indestructible. Any idea what is wrong with yours?and unless there is something I can't see in the pic, yours doesn't look to be in need of paint.

Primarly the problem Is that the plate that connects to the center rail was ripped off years ago (not by me) and I've yet to find a replacement. I tried giving the motor a current and it just hummed. As for "botching it up" the most I've done is take off the shell and clean. And it's hard to tell in the photos but it's got some pretty bad scuff marks.

Robert Grossman

 

I think you want Part 243 under Electric Motors.  I think he still has a catalog with drawings and photos or call.

 

K-Line steamers looked like and were the molds of Marx engines.  Just find one that looks like yours.

 

Gene Anstine

Your Marx Locomotive looks pretty nice.  It shouldn't be that hard to get running.

 

One way I've used for past locomotives is to just buy a basket case off E-bay for parts. You will obviously need a center rail 'shoe.'  

 

As far as the motor just humming, that might be the reverse unit and not the motor.  If the reverse unit is all 'gummed' up and or the switch contacts corroded it may not be powering up the motor.  These units aren't hard to restore and there should be plenty of info on the web.  

 

 

Typical Marx Reverse unit.

 Is that the plate that connects to the center rail 

 

 

 

 

Grossman's is the go to guy for Marx.

The Bellcaptain,

You're wanting to do a lot to a very old MARX piece. Personally, I'd restore back to it's original glory.

It is a piece of toy trains history. It deserves a dignified retirement as a display piece under a lexan cover.

I could not agree more.  The Marx 333 Smoker is a classic.  For that matter so is the non-smoking version.

I'd rather have it in running condition than let it sit in disrepair on my shelf. I don't want to just replace everything on the engine to such a degree it barley resembles the original engine.

The "new" K-line/K-Lionel ("K-Marx", to me) 3/16 (S-scale) 4-6-2 is one of the best runners around; the modern internals and great gearing make it a smooth, slow runner (it will zoom-zoom too, if you're one of those).

 

I used one to re-power stretched/bashed Marx 666 shell(s).

 

Retire your old 333 to an honored place on the mantel or a shelf (my childhood 1955 Lionel 2055 Hudson is retired and displayed) and buy a K-Marx 4-6-2. It already HAS all that modern stuff underneath (not the command control) done for you. They don't cost much.

I have one just because I like it, and I do mostly scale stuff, but there it is. 

 

You can always put "333" on it.

 

CC is easily installed - especially if you get the version with the handsome larger plastic tender. That pair really has a classy look, and the larger tender has plenty of room for CC

and even sound. I intend to put CC in my re-imagined 666 mentioned above, but

sound also in that little slope-back tender probably won't happen. Command-only, I imagine.

I do not think you would have to replace much, except for that collector "Steamer"

has shown above....replace that, and clean the reverse unit, and lubricate...

 First step is to remove the motor.  Take a look at the two pictures below.  

 

Applying power to the locations indicated should at the very least cause the Reverse unit to hum or click.

 

With power applied you need to measure for voltage at the brush indicated in picture two.

 

If you have voltage there is current passing through the reverse unit and field windings.

but it doesn't run:

• You have mechanical binding.
• You have shorted field (stationary) windings.

 If you don't have a voltage measurement:

• The field is open
• The reverse unit 'fingers' don't make good contact (they're open)

 

 

 

 

 

There will be more to come.  Start with that.

Did you ever get the motor running?

While searching on the Marx 333 smoker version .

Many times from sitting for a long time the eunit sticks and it will just hum.

A quick easy fix is to get some plastic safe CRC contact cleaner and spray in the eunit

using the small plastic hose that is attached to the can you can weasel it in the eunit.