Hey guys a while back I picked up a Marx William Crooks loco and tender at my local train club for $10, with a makeshift cab from another loco and a what looks to be a lionel tender. So far I have removed the replacement cab, my plan is to recreate the original look of the cab probably of styrene then probably repaint it, heres some pics so far.
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I have seen these broken and beat up on e-bay where you may be able to get a good cab and graft it on. there is also a place on line with the decals for the engine and tender. Here is mine, great engine.
Enjoy and have fun!
I have actually thought of that but i havent been lucky finding one to get a cab off. I have 2 others, one in great shape and one is a basket case missing a funnel (future restoration project) so thats why ive decided just to make one from scratch 
I have a Marx and a Lionel slope back tender, and they look identical.
nice project.
The cab is fairly simple and could be made from Plastruct shapes or similar material.
Jim McC.
There were some beautiful, hand painted Wm Crooks engines sold on eBay earlier this year. One went for almost $400, I believe. The owner had added sound and meticulously painted details of the engine. These are on my wish list.
I think that is a base for a fairly accurate "kit bashed" Texas or better General if you Google it some.
It was something famous for sure. If not those maybe Casey Jones regular engine.
Wow didnt know about those being sold, would have loved to see them! Yes im gonna use either styrene or any plastic material I find. I also have a original tender on the way (repainted red ironically ��) Im fixing this up for a friend who really wants a Crooks.
Well I took the replacement cab off, not sure exactly what loco it came off of but it broke upon taking it off so thatbwas trashed, now I have a clean slate to start work! I'll post pics as I go along.
I thought I had stumbled across the cab's origin for a moment. I don't think it's quite right, but its an interesting comparison.
Thanks for this thread. I never knew (or paid attention) that MARX made this particular steamer. It's hard to tell from the photos here, or the videos I have now found on YouTube, BUT it appears this engine is a little smaller than the traditional Lionel General style locomotive.
KRM, your refurbish of your loco looks real nice... I like it.
Any of you guys who have both this loco and the Lionel General... is this MARX one smaller in size?
For me, I just prefer the smaller locomotives that look more at home on a 027 layout with 027 types of rolling stock.
I'm new to the forum. I was doing some research on Wm. Crooks locomotives and came across this forum. I just bought a Wm. Crooks train. It is the 1st DIVn StP & P.R.R. version. The locomotive body had some previous repairs made to it. They were quite well done and hardly noticeable. However, the bottom portion of the scrolling under the headlight on the right side is missing. I will be keeping my eye out for a junker Crooks in hopes of replacing the scrolling. Also, does anyone have a suggestion on how to remove dried specs of paint from one of the tin passenger cars? Great forum and I really like the photos that have been posted.
Welcome to the forum!
For removing the specs of paint, I have heard alcohol on a cotton swap could work. Be careful not to damage the original finish. I believe the original finish is lithograph and is fairly durable.
You might try a search of the forum, because this may have come up before.
George
Thanks for the tips George. I will give them a try.
Jerry
Try only the bottom! Alcohol can stain paints and inks.
Try your best to tell us, house paint? Enamel? Etc.
AMC Dave has the most paint experience I recall...I may be in the hospital by the a.m., I took a fall.
KRM:
That is a very cool looking little engine by Marx! Given my very limited Marx knowledge, I didn't even know they made such an animal. Are the flag posts and whistle plastic or metal? I would sure like to see some more pictures of your Wm. Crooks.
Adriatic posted:Try only the bottom! Alcohol can stain paints and inks.
Try your best to tell us, house paint? Enamel? Etc.
AMC Dave has the most paint experience I recall...I may be in the hospital by the a.m., I took a fall.
Adriatic,
Oh no! Don't take any chances, go if you need to and get well soon!
George
Thanks George, Right arm, neck, mid. Back, tailbone, etc...I can move my legs but can't change positions. I'd sit till the am anyhow, more comforts here than there, and I'm no fan of pain meds.
I forgot plastic can also be stained by alcohol too.
Those are some of the priciest Marx around. If they interest you and you find a deal, jump.
brianel_k-lineguy posted:Thanks for this thread. I never knew (or paid attention) that MARX made this particular steamer. It's hard to tell from the photos here, or the videos I have now found on YouTube, BUT it appears this engine is a little smaller than the traditional Lionel General style locomotive.
KRM, your refurbish of your loco looks real nice... I like it.
Any of you guys who have both this loco and the Lionel General... is this MARX one smaller in size?
For me, I just prefer the smaller locomotives that look more at home on a 027 layout with 027 types of rolling stock.
The Marx Wm Crooks is quite a bit smaller than the Lionel Generals. Great for 027. They came in a few minor variations. 4-4-0, 0-4-0, some with, some without smoke, and some were clockwork.
Steve
Adriatic,
Hope your injuries are not too serious and that you get well soon.
The paint specs were on the car when I got it, so I have no idea what type of paint it is.
Jerry
laming posted:KRM:
That is a very cool looking little engine by Marx! Given my very limited Marx knowledge, I didn't even know they made such an animal. Are the flag posts and whistle plastic or metal? I would sure like to see some more pictures of your Wm. Crooks.
The whistle, flag posts and handrails are metal! They usually are missing on these locos.
Looking good! Keep us updated. Are you basing it on any particular engine?
I also noticed Adriatic commented here then said he was hurting, Anyone hear from Adriatic since then?
franktrain
Blake, what are you using to fabricate the cab? Where did you purchase the material? Does the material come in a large variety of shapes and sizes? I like what you have done so far. Jerry
franktrain posted:Looking good! Keep us updated. Are you basing it on any particular engine?
I also noticed Adriatic commented here then said he was hurting, Anyone hear from Adriatic since then?
franktrain
I'm looking at pics of the real William Crooks locomotive for some inspiration! I decided to make the cab look more authentic while retaining how Marx made it.
Jerry Johnson posted:Blake, what are you using to fabricate the cab? Where did you purchase the material? Does the material come in a large variety of shapes and sizes? I like what you have done so far. Jerry
Thanks! I am using styrene made by Evergreen scale models, I purchased it from my local hobby store. Yes styrene comes in all different sizes from sheets to strips and different thicknesses as well. I'll post which specific thickness I used if anyone wants me to!
I found a Crooks shell with a broken cab and no motor. I am making a cab from balsa wood. I installed a Marx six wheel motor from a 333. It took some trimming on the interior of the shell and some trimming of the motor frame to make it fit. I still need to add some trim and paint.
very nice!
Nice job! Is the balloon stack "prototypical"? Can't wait to see the finished product!
Train Doctor posted:Nice job! Is the balloon stack "prototypical"? Can't wait to see the finished product!
Yes the balloon stack on this loco is prototypical, to the real William Crooks prototype and to locos built during the 1860s-1900s.
Blake,
didn't know if you found decals, saw these online
Blake, I've been enjoying watching the progress of your project here, come along. Looks real nice. After Steve "Papa" Eastman's encouraging comment to my question, I'm going to be keeping an open eye at shows for one of these engines.
It's also nice to see some 027 projects here on the traditional 027 forum!
brianel_k-lineguy posted:Blake, I've been enjoying watching the progress of your project here, come along. Looks real nice. After Steve "Papa" Eastman's encouraging comment to my question, I'm going to be keeping an open eye at shows for one of these engines.
It's also nice to see some 027 projects here on the traditional 027 forum!
Thanks! I appreciate the nice comments! Yes keep your eyes out at shows or ebay.
brianel_k-lineguy posted:Blake, I've been enjoying watching the progress of your project here, come along. Looks real nice. After Steve "Papa" Eastman's encouraging comment to my question, I'm going to be keeping an open eye at shows for one of these engines.
It's also nice to see some 027 projects here on the traditional 027 forum!
Thanks! I appreciate the nice comments! Yes keep your eyes out at shows or ebay.
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