Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

Im the second owner, this ebay find was slightly modified by original owner back when they were a child in 1940s. its really cool and nostalgic. I re-corded the 709 transformer and overhauled the engine and sanded the tracks.  the rest is all original.  works like a charm.  for you guys to enjoy.  i can share larger images if you want i kept it simple.  youtube video posted at bottom.  enjoy!

Jason

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396 engine overhaul [transformer was a 709]

  Really cool.  MARX trains are fun and relatively inexpensive.
I'm really fond of the 8-wheel 6"cars.  A lot of bang for the
buck from, at the time, one of the biggest toymakers in the
world.

  Congrats on the rebuild.  I never had to take an engine to
pieces to get it to run properly, but you did it well.

  And, please, for others reading this, do not sand the tracks
unless they are so bad they will not get the electricity to
the engine.  You will remove any nickel plating that has survived.
Try using scotch pads and a good tarnish solvent. It is next
to impossible (never successfully by me) to get an old tarnished
track to look like new - not worth the effort.  You just have to
live with the discolorations.

  You can find new old-stock track - maybe.  I locked up 2 cartons
of NOS 'O-27' track years ago, but missed on a carton of 'O-34' later
when I hesitated.  I don't remember why.  Brain dead.

  AND THEN CAME STEAM ENGINES!  YaY!  My first was a MARX J-5322 with
a rotted boiler.  A new boiler (lower 3/4's) later and it runs like
a top.  Check it out.



Have fun,
MARXMAN 4 EVER

  Are you ready?  Coffee stirrers - it's what came to my sight
while the cladding was on my mind.  Now, the water heats more
quickly, it is a good conversation starter, looks cool, and
I can pick it up without pain.

Wayne

Great stuff!

thank you guys!  thx bixby.  marxman great engine love the cladding.  i really like marc and the history and story i think i prefer to my lionel.  marxman thanks for advice i only sanded very top of rail [not edges]  oblybwhere contact was made.  it was very low conductivity with my voltometer. was maxed at around 9v now i show 12.

thanks as always!

marx for the win

jason

Wayne and Marx Man.  i luckily both like steam and trains. its dual addictions!  my first lionel was whem i was a youth in 1996. i still have it.  here is a cool photo of my current living room right now.  [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

The large pictures really show the great condition of the individual parts. I find the locomotive with the clockwork drive particularly interesting. It is nice that the key to wind the locomotive is still present.

Usually the key is missing...or the locomotive. 😥