marx+lionel

Marx switches are all O-27 profile and will mate directly with the Lionel O-27 track. Unfortunately, using Marx switches can mean troubles for your Lionel pickups. There is a discussion about snagging Lionel pickups here:

http://www.thortrains.net/maracc4.html

Marx also had O-34 dimensioned track and switches in O-27 profile to make concentric curves with O-27 track. Pretty cool!

oh. thats kinda sad

many Marx motors are swappable and not all will fail on modern track with guardrails.  find a #666, #1666 or #400 locomotive with what Marx collectors refer to as double reduction gearing.  i have a few CV, Mercury and M10005 engines that i have modified to run on all 3 rail track.  there are also rare versions of the #999 and CP types that were made with DR motors.  the only 6-wheel motor Marx made, the #333, is compatible with all 3 rail track, too.

bennett V posted:

i have a little lionel layout with vintage 027 gauge track and i have plenty of marx stuff but the problem is i wanna run my marx but my marx locomotives (postwar era) cant go over my switches, so im thinking about getting marx switches and am wondering if marx switches are compatible with 1980s lionel 027 gauge track (its track with the brown ties) 

Which means you have the locos with fat drive wheels. You will clearly see them when you turn your loco over. You can as posted above swap motors. I have but it will be cheaper to buy the Marx switches. Make sure you get the metal ones as the plastic body switches will not clear the fat drive wheels, whether they are 027 or 034.

You will also have the same problems if you use Lionel's 90 & 45 degree crossings, but those you can grind down the plastic guards to clear the fat wheels.

Make sure you get the metal Marx switches, not plastic. The plastic ones have issues running early Marx without being modified.

Steve

Bennett, another guy who can comment on this with some experience is @Choo Choo Charlie. In his layout photos, he uses the older all metal Marx switches and also runs a wide variety of trains. I noticed that's what he uses from his photos because he paints them grey to match his track roadbed: A nice touch in my estimation.

I personally have used Marx 027 switches in the past. The metal ones for me worked fine, but as others mentioned above, the plastic ones were problematic for me, even with more modern kinds of engines.

I opted for the Lionel MPC era type of 027 turnouts, because of the design of the switch box housing lever, I can drill a small hole in that lever and operate manual switches via nylon fishline, so I can "mimic" an automatic switch track without the drawbacks of the electric Lionel 027 version.

I have no argument with others who have posted here, and obviously have more detailed knowledge on the subject than I.  But I can report that from the very beginning, my childhood Lionel 027 equipment ran on Marx switches with no problems.

I also have a small Marx collection, and I've run it all on Marx plastic 034 switches.  Again, no problems.

Balshis posted:

...

I also have a small Marx collection, and I've run it all on Marx plastic 034 switches.  Again, no problems.

the O34 switches have a spring mounted guard rail that ducks out of the way when a geared wheel needs to transit.  like all things, great when/ if they work.

This is to update the comments above about Lionel train engines pick ups hanging up on Marx 1590 metal switches.  The Thor link is down probably since he is deceased and no one has picked up hosting his former great site.

From page 1, post 5 of my topic https://ogrforum.com/...ra-027-layout?page=1

Marx 1590 metal switches have one short coming in that they will not pass some Lionel train roller pick-ups without problems (usually the pick-up roller gets stuck) due to the center rail large gap near the frog point.  This problem is easily solved by installing a 3/4 inch piece of a finish nail (cheaper) or a 027 rail pin in the two center rail ends of switch as shown in the following pictures.  This will fill the center rail gap and keep Lionel pick-up rollers from hanging up or losing contact on Marx 1590 switches.

The center rail of the straight track shows one inserted pin and switch in straight position.  Note how the pin fills in the straight center rail gap.

The center rail of the curved track shows the other inserted pin and switch in curved position.  Note how the pin fills in the center rail of the curved section.

Charlie