Marx 396 Engine

i've never quite understood the numbering variations of the Marx CP-type locomotives, but i'm pretty sure yours originally had this copper boiler and sideboard detail...

good luck...gary

that'll be a good looking engine when you're done. be sure to check the bay for the tender, I know I've seen some of those there.

A common tender with the copper loco was the wedge type in black. Easy to find in decent condition. As to restoring the engine, the copper was not plated. The shell was buffed shiny, then coated with something like an amber shellac. The darkness of the "copper" varied a lot. The bright metal under the amber coating gave it the copper look. A repro sideboard decal is available from Grossman, http://www.trainpartsformarx.c...ppingcart.htm#Decals

Modern Marx made a copper set, but it was painted or powder coated.

Steve

Speaking of the varnished coating that gave this set a copper color, was this common on car frames? I got a Marx set from my grandad, and the frame on the 555 and 556 have brass undersides. Is this normal?

The under side of Marx frames were almost always protected. Usually black, gray, green colors. Never seen brass, but we are talking about Marx. It's possible they had some bad sheets from a run for the wagon top copper tender and used that material for frames.

Steve

Thanks for the information.

It looks like from Gary's picture I need the steam chests and I have some straightening to do on the pilot.

Where would I get amber shellac?  Home Depot?

I'll start amassing parts and see where this goes.  In the same auction I got 3 or 4 Commodore Vanderbilts.  I'm going to get new collectors and repaint so I should be all Marx'ed out shortly.  OBTW none of them had tenders. 

Gene Anstine

be sure and post pics when you're done!

Here they are, engine has been modified.