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Author Topic: Marx Mercury Whistlin Windup  (Read 147 times)

PO9R4S4CHE

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Marx Mercury Whistlin Windup
« on: August 03, 2021, 04:31:07 pm »
This took a few hours to repair and I really solidified my knowledge of tempering metal.  Was a great learning tool.  I bought this on ebay and I always make conversation with the seller.  It was her fathers but it broke a long time ago and hasnt run.  She has seen this video today and I think it meant a lot to see her Dads toy train run.

Ironically the best yet sometimes hardest things to restore but with best turn out break when they are brand new and then never fixed.  The mainspring broke 50+ years ago.  I lost a few inches [i read its 55" unraveled] but it broke at the key windup so it was never under tension hence the speed and power.  My other windup train only has 2/3 of this kenetic energy. 

Of all the info i found online toss and replace was the reccomend for windups.  Let me know if you need assistance fixing one.

Also tuned 3 marx electrics today.


I know this isnt steam/live steam, but this is my foundation that turned me into a steamaholic!

https://youtube.com/shorts/HnpjO8hi4bo
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Love steam engines, especially older German made.  Love the more clockwork style.  Addicted to this stuff!

PO9R4S4CHE

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Re: Marx Mercury Whistlin Windup
« Reply #1 on: August 03, 2021, 04:34:45 pm »
https://youtube.com/shorts/HnpjO8hi4bo

Apparently the link doesnt show a screenshot

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Love steam engines, especially older German made.  Love the more clockwork style.  Addicted to this stuff!

St Paul Steam

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Re: Marx Mercury Whistlin Windup
« Reply #2 on: August 03, 2021, 07:51:17 pm »
Wow , that train moves really fast , I kept expecting it to jump the rails ,but it help fast until she finally glided to a stop.
Very nice and thanks for the video.
Bruce, St. Paul Indiana, USA
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classixs

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Re: Marx Mercury Whistlin Windup
« Reply #3 on: August 04, 2021, 02:14:08 am »
Well done bringing that beaut back to life :)

Collecting Marx tin trains here as well, as a secondary hobby, to keep me occupied when the Jensen market is meager.
I usually donīt go for full sets due to space, and prefer standalone locos with matching tender.
Also i do not particulary aim for the rarer versions, like open spoked 999īs and such, but just to have each model nicely represented.
However, eventhough it is an invisible feature, i have had an urge to ad a a whistler here for years, as i think the whistle itself is a pretty cool little gizmo, but never seem to be able to hunt one down at the right price.

A neat thing about the clockwork trains from a collectors point of view, seems to be that they generally is much better condition lithography-wise.
Guess it soon became boring for a kid to wind these for a 30 sec. run 8)
Cheers
Jan
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PO9R4S4CHE

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Re: Marx Mercury Whistlin Windup
« Reply #4 on: August 04, 2021, 08:14:54 am »
Funny you should reply, perfect timing I was gonna reach out and tell you you have a wonderful Jensen website. Very nicely done and your collection is Museum Worthy!  it rivals the jensen museum page!

U know if you talk to Dorita at Jensen you can get on the waitlist for the new model 50 correct?  I just dont know its length or turn around time.  Its half deposit upfront rest before shipping. 

Im gonna be putting a 20g and 55g video up running my 2 jensen shops together soon, I was going to last night but the neighbors waterline broke [rubber toilet pipe] so the house was without water [yes i use 95% distilled for the engines but not for me!]

I love running the 2 jensens side by side.

I am very absent minded so Im actually working on a light up timer switch to let you jnow the Jensen is on and running.  They only last about 18 to 22 minutes from Cold start to where i stop to refill.  They drink steam.

now with the timer I wont boil them dry by accident and the indicator light will alert me they are plugged in.  Not built yet but Ill share when complete. was gonna be an evening project this week yhe parts and wiring are set just need the box.

As for the Marx windup.  I dont believe you can just attach a whistle unit to the windup.  they share the common plate but many extra little parts and subtle changes make it what i deem a 1 type engine [it is the 635?] that wont match others.  If u get one it most likely will have a broken spring.  thats easy to replace but getting a spring seems like its needed from a working donor unit [which no other parts would be usable].  getting the spring out takes some finesse and tempering it to fit in the slot takes a bit of patience but if u ever need help let me know.

Have a great day!

Jason P Ernst
Love steam engines, especially older German made.  Love the more clockwork style.  Addicted to this stuff!

PO9R4S4CHE

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Re: Marx Mercury Whistlin Windup
« Reply #5 on: August 04, 2021, 08:22:47 am »
St Paul thanks so much this is one of my favorite trains right now

Heres screenshot of my repairs.  A flat head screw driver wedged in at end of main spring is how i by passed the tab catching the hole at the end.  then it just unwinds out the back.

Enjoy!
Love steam engines, especially older German made.  Love the more clockwork style.  Addicted to this stuff!

PO9R4S4CHE

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Re: Marx Mercury Whistlin Windup
« Reply #6 on: August 04, 2021, 08:25:52 am »
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Love steam engines, especially older German made.  Love the more clockwork style.  Addicted to this stuff!

classixs

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Re: Marx Mercury Whistlin Windup
« Reply #7 on: August 06, 2021, 03:03:25 am »
Thanks for the additional photos Jason...and your way too kind words towards my humble appearently neverending website project, much appreciated :)

I have been fortunate enough that the windups here all have arrived in fully functional condition, but good to have some inside knowledge to lean on, should i end up with one in need of service eventually.

Have no intention of modding a whistle into anything, and have mostly been looking for a nice Mercury with one.
The Mercury loco is still unrepresented here, for that exact reason.
Cheers
Jan
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txlabman

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Re: Marx Mercury Whistlin Windup
« Reply #8 on: August 06, 2021, 05:20:30 pm »
Excellent job on the repair Jason.

Thanks for the description and the photos.

The train runs a treat.