Marx Train pictures

@laming posted:

Hi 'ya TrainFam!

Thanks for some input!

Yup, I figured I would need to move carefully and conservatively to clean up these little 3/16" litho's. I may try mild warm water dish washing/water mix and a paper towel in an effort to remove the dirt crud that these seem to collect. Then again, I may just clean the wheels and run 'em like they be! That "worn" look is kind of cool. Sort a natural "weathering", if you will.

Getting ready to go out to my layout building a play trains. I may take my new gon along and see that I can do about the wheels and call it "good". Oddly, overall, I'm liking the worn look that I'm seeing on this stuff.

All fer now!

Andre

Sounds like a good idea. The good thing about Marx trains is that they can be weathered and still look great. Have fun!

                                                    Trainfam

"Natural" weathering: You are SO right, TrainFam!

Surprisingly, I have yet to see a Marx 3/16" boxcar that was too worn for my use. I like 'em all.

As for the wheels:

When finished running the "Piney Turn" on my wienie train layout, I sat down at the workbench and used my Dremel w/a wire brush and polished the wheel treads/flanges of my newly arrived NKP 71499 gondola. That's about the only extent of "rust" concerns I have (assuming the axles are "good 'enuf"). Here's a before/after pic:

Any other appearances of rust is one of those "no big deal" kind of things. Besides, nicks, dings, dents, grime and rust sort of gives each piece it's own "character", so to speak. It's all good!

Tempted to bid on a Marx 3/16" item or two I've found, but I'm also gettin' a hankerin' for a Lionel Baldwin boiler Hudson w/whistle tender, too. Decisions, decisions!

All fer now!

Andre

Andre, for the litho, I have used just the suds from dishwashing liquid/water with a facial tissue - softer than paper towel.  As long as it doesn't get dunked in the water it will be fine.  Just let it dry in the sun for a few minutes.

Here is a Japanese Marx set owned by a friend.  Notice that the cars seem familiar, but the trucks resemble Postwar Lionel.

Japanese mfg'd Marx litho? Didn't know there was such a thing until now!

Interesting.

As for my own personal "eye appeal", I like the early litho better. i.e. The one's with the small, shiny trucks.

Still, though, quite interesting to learn that Marx also had some connections with Japanese mfg'ers.

Andre

I now have the wheels and sliders de-greased, cleaned, and polished via a wire wheel in the Dremel.

I didn't have to do a whole lot to the superstructure... just wipe off dust and what have you. It cleaned up nice!

Now, I wait for the track bundle to arrive. I ended up with a bit more track (okay, a lot more track) than I actually needed, but the bundle had everything I needed (Marx straights, Marx curves, a Marx lock-on), along with other "goodies" (like a Marx 90 degree X-ing), so I bid and ended up getting it.

Still tempted to start seriously watching for a Lionel Baldwin Hudson.   (Minor inconvenience: I've about got my monthly hobby allowance spent... so it would need to be a really good deal!)

All fer this 'un!

Andre

Sakai made that set. They are nice. The motor in them is very loud though. They certainly stole some ideas from Marx and Lionel.

Ah, so it's a Marx/Lionel "knock off". Sounds like China isn't the only country to employ that tactic!

Andre

Here are some more "deluxe" freight cars.

TrainsRme:  Nice deluxe cars, I just scored (on the Bay) the B&M and NYC boxcar , i already had the 3 dome tank and I have a crane car but not the one with the searchlight ( You Lucky Duck!).  Fatman - the Mettoy Battle of Britain set is fabulous.  I recently acquired a few Mettoy 4 wheel freight wagons that are neat lithographs but nothing like that. The Sakai set is really neat, the Marx connection is very obvious which is cool I wonder if there was an "official" Japanese Marx ?

Happy Monday everyone

Don

Franktrain, Don McErlean, TrainsRMe, Thank You all for giving me the great information on where to find the parts. My dealer says he has some Marx sideframes however silver in color. I’m inclined to look for black colored ones rather than paint them. Also, the sideframes look to be riveted on?, so, how do I do that? Franktrain, I’ll look up Marx parts..... Thank you all for your help. Happy Railroading.... Stay safe, stay healthy, Pray Continually....

They are held on by long screws with a nut. The screw goes all the way through and holds both side. Screws and nuts could be picked up at your local hardware store. I will have to look in my parts bin when I get home and see it I have any black frames.

Steve

Hi Steve, in the picture above, there are screws shown on the truck ends, are those the correct screws? Thank you for your help, I’ll be glad to buy them from you and pay the postage. I’m also on the hunt for the automobiles for the auto carrier car. Another question, the set had a Lionel 1033 transformer in the box, but, I think it should have been a Marx transformer. How can I find one of those. Thank You very much for any help or ideas.  My email is in my profile. Happy Railroading 

@leapinlarry posted:

Hi Steve, in the picture above, there are screws shown on the truck ends, are those the correct screws? Thank you for your help, I’ll be glad to buy them from you and pay the postage. I’m also on the hunt for the automobiles for the auto carrier car. Another question, the set had a Lionel 1033 transformer in the box, but, I think it should have been a Marx transformer. How can I find one of those. Thank You very much for any help or ideas.  My email is in my profile. Happy Railroading 

Those look like the correct screws. I do have a few new repro black side frames. Did you need one or two?

The set would have had a 45 or 50w transformer, but the 1033 is a super transformer. 

Steve

Steve said:

"The set would have had a 45 or 50w transformer..."

My 25225 set came with a 50w transformer with "Model 729" stamped on it. A picture of it:

FWIW: There's a couple of No. 729 transformers on the Bay right now, one seems a bit rough, and it's waaay over priced (to me) the other looks to be in better shape and is more reasonably priced, but notes "cord cut".

"...but the 1033 is a super transformer."

I just received mine a few days ago. It does seem to be perfect for light duty and/or the workbench. That's the realm mine will be used in. Enjoy!

Andre

Marc made a few transformers from 25 to 75 watts depending on the set. Really very few types compared with Lionel. The set you have came with a specific one unfortunately I am away from my reference to tell you which  one.  However for operating the Lionel 1033 will work fine.  Marx transformers are available on the Bay normally not too expensive  just watch out for cracked or broken insulation on the 110 v side

Don

The transformer that came in my NH set was metal, turquoise green with white lettering and a chrome handle on top.  Almost square, it was roughly 4X 5 inches.  Sorry, can't remember the wattage or the number.  CORRECTION: I misremembered.  The one with this set was black and identified as Allstate.

Guys, in using Lionel transformers  with Marx, don't run above 12 volts (not that you'd be much tempted to - it would be flying off the track on the curves no doubt).  This was a tip from an old-time certified dealer/repairman when I bought my first Marx from him as an adult.

Have a look at the Marx Colonial house.  Notice how realistic the details are:  Shakes for the upper story, brick for the lower.  The detail shot of the front shows the "wagon wheel" window over the door, accurate shutters, door knocker, mail slot and even a porch light.

Received my track! Cleaned enough for an oval... place the little 999 on the rail, powered up the 1033... and away it purred! Added its cars, and off it went. Soon, that sweet smell of ozone and hot grease was mine for the taking by leaning over and taking a sniff as it passed by underneath my nose. Ahhh! Long time, no "fix".

Shot an 11 sec video of it pacing the oval, then copied it from the iPhone to my hard drive and tried uploading it off my hard drive using the "Media" icon, but I didn't see a way to directly upload a .MOV file (or any video format). What am I missing?

Andre

I've never posted video, so can't help Andre.  Sounds like the 999 is running and manufacturing ozone just the way it was designed!

To keep the photos going, here are a couple ideas for cabooses to run with Marx 3/16 scale trains.

  I bought at auction a pair of prewar AF 3/16 scale, O-gauge cabooses.  One was in better shape than the other, but was missing one coupler, so I tucked the humungous AF link coupler under, then added a Marx tab-and-slot so it could run with Marx 3/16 scale cars.  The other was converted to ATSF.  I moved the cupola, painted and decaled it, made a toolbox, and mounted Marx trucks.  Sounds simple, but the roofwalk was not continued under where the cupola had been, so I cut a length of brass stock and JB Welded in on, smoothing things out with putty.

The very common AF 3/16 postwar caboose has Marx trucks under it.  It's quite a bit smaller than Marx cabooses - those trucks look kinda large under it.

Laming : Great to hear that your 999 is running well.  I will admit prejudice, the 999 is the perfect size for my small layout with tight turns so I run mine a lot.  I mess with some extra tenders to be able to switch to Lionel cars (build a transition tender) and some of the lionel tenders even work as is.  Good running!  TrainsRme - I really liked the caboose's (what is the plural of caboose anyway?) I honestly had not thought of running some AF S gauge with my Marx 3/16 scale cars, not sure why I never thought of this as it seems obvious now that you have pointed it out.. What I love about the forum, new ideas all the time, even though they may be new only to me .  Oh yes, the Marx house like so many Marx toys is just fabulous, with great detail and lots of accessories to make play fun and imaginative.  I had two Marx doll houses for my granddaughter with all the Marx 1950's era plastic furniture but they were way too big to use with trains.  She played with them all the time and after she became  a teen, we moved then on to other little girls and I hope they stay in play forever.  

Thanks for posting everyone

Don

Don, those dollhouses were something.  I recall my sister having one in the fifties.  Seems like they could work with G-scale or standard gauge, but sure would look silly with our trains, you're right.  Marx must have made a huge variety of styles, as I remember seeing lots of them in the Marx Toy and Train Museum in Wheeling, WV.

Here are three more tin cabooses (yes, cabooses)    .  First, a scale  Reading, maybe a little less common than the NYC, at least it seemed like it when I was looking for one..  Second photo is the common 7" series AT&SF.  Last, a new Marx NYC, based on the 7" cars.

Well guys the weekend is almost over but I had one more post just for fun.  Here is the  back story...The Leonardtown and Savannah (L&S) like most of the wartime railroads continues to press its existing equipment to the max to make up "extra" trains to handle war time freight and passenger loads.  Serving the key port of Savannah, the L&S struggles especially to cover getting the war workforce from the outer suburbs to the port for critical war work in the plants surrounding the port.  Today, management is nearly at the end of its rope...and have dragged out of the yard "old faithful" , a Commodore Vanderbilt engine from the 1920's who has definitely seen better days (like most L&S motive power she was  not new when she got here!) .  She got mated with a pair of ancient coaches, non-air conditioned in the Georgia summer heat (as you can tell by the open windows) .  Old Joe our engineer will do his best but the CV is tired, needs new tubes, and could use a bath and paint, None of which is going to happen.  She is one step from the scrap line, willing and hard working, but suffering from old age. 

Hope you enjoy my silly stories, I do have fun thinking them up !!

Don

  I have a son in Leonardtown.  I'll have to ask if he's ever seen that engine go by.  I love the backstory from your fertile imagination.

TrainsRMe:  We lived in Leonardtown from 1996-2007 most of that time I worked for the Naval Air Station at Patuxent River.  Believe it or not, the Navy owned a RR that came down Rt 5 from Washington DC which was used mostly for building supplies when construction was ongoing at NAS Patuxent River.  It was closed down in 1962 or 1963 and there is little to no vestige of it today.  The Patuxent Air Museum on 235 right outside the Air Station used to display some pictures of it on one of their exhibits, your son might see the engine there!  Small world for sure.

Don

Don, thanks so much for all that info.  I whipped out a map and see everything you mentioned, except the museum itself.  That would be something to look up if we ever get there.

More Marx cabooses, all plastic this time:

I picked these up on eBay a few weeks ago cheap. Somebody stole the trucks from desirable pieces. I’ve put trucks on the 3 twin tank cars now. Just runner quality.

Steve

Steve:  Those are really great tank cars.  I am sure you already know but the 2 white tank / maroon car is the almost the most scarce of the 2 tank breed.  There is one more , same number5543, Gulf - blue with orange tanks that is quite rare (for Marx).  The 3 domes have 2 very rare variants an Exxon made in '74 only and a Milk made in '60 only.  Candidly I have seen the Exxon once or twice (too much $$ for me) but have never even seen the Milk.  These are all numbered 5553.  If you have any of these (and you always seem to have several ) posting pictures of them would be great because even pictures of them are few and far between.

Great Tank Cars, Steve, I admit to being a Tank Fan-a-holic  of any brand so I really loved the pictures.

Don

@Don McErlean posted:

Steve:  Those are really great tank cars.  I am sure you already know but the 2 white tank / maroon car is the almost the most scarce of the 2 tank breed.  There is one more , same number5543, Gulf - blue with orange tanks that is quite rare (for Marx).  The 3 domes have 2 very rare variants an Exxon made in '74 only and a Milk made in '60 only.  Candidly I have seen the Exxon once or twice (too much $$ for me) but have never even seen the Milk.  These are all numbered 5553.  If you have any of these (and you always seem to have several ) posting pictures of them would be great because even pictures of them are few and far between.

Great Tank Cars, Steve, I admit to being a Tank Fan-a-holic  of any brand so I really loved the pictures.

Don

Don, here is my Exxon car. Had the Gulf at one time. Never had the milk car. The Exxon is from the Mohawk set. A lot of these real hard to find Marx plastic came from sets in the 1974-75 range.

Steve

Thanks Steve-had a b&w pic of the Exxon but not in color.  These cars are really hard to find. At least we now have a picture. Thanks again. 

Don

Six inch four wheel gondolas:  The brown Rock Island one is custom made.

Some of the 8 wheel boxcars with hook couplers.

B&LE

B&O

C&NW

Cotton Belt

Cotton belt in blue

Lovely boxcars, guys! 

New Marx NYC set.  They also made a lovely Dreyfus Hudson, which I was unable to acquire.

@TrainsRMe posted:

Lovely boxcars, guys! 

New Marx NYC set.  They also made a lovely Dreyfus Hudson, which I was unable to acquire.

@TrainsRMe posted:

Lovely boxcars, guys! 

New Marx NYC set.  They also made a lovely Dreyfus Hudson, which I was unable to acquire.

I had the boxed set at one time with 8 wheel cars. 

Steve

Sorry for the poor quality photo. It's the only one I could find in a hurry.

That's what Steve's talking about.  A great variety of colorful tinplate items was made by New Marx.  Here are four of my favorites.

Some more New Marx

TrainsRMe...and here's some of the prototypes for those New Marx cars...and an oddball inside out Sears. 

Monon Hopper

WP Boxcar

Inside Out - Sears

TrainsRme:  Thank you for the pictures of the new Marx, it is really a shame that they did not last longer than they did, but I guess the "scale" thrust did them in.  What great color schemes however...thanks for posting.

Don

I've always wondered why the New Marx boxcars were different proportions to the originals boxcars. The 3/16 scale style boxcars to be specific. The flatcars are the same size.

Don, I don't believe that was the issue.  Steve "Papa" Eastman can probably give you the full story.  In the meantime the thread below has some of the details.

https://ogrforum.com/...09#39722753292319409