Skip to main content

In the past I've gotten some real low end Marx train sets.  I'm looking to get back into the Marx stuff.  As far as toy trains go, I like them!  When I look on ebay, I see tons of different types of engines...most low end with plastic cars.  These don't smoke, reverse, or have lights (at least the couple I had).  I see tons of wind ups to.  On this forum, and youtube, I've seen better grade Marx engines that have a lights, reverse, and smoke.  Could someone please give me a few model years that I can search on?  There are thousands of Marx auctions out there.  Also, being non technical, is there a sight either written or preferably youtube that can actually explain how to work on these engines.  I've had newer Lionel sets in the past and have gotten rid of it this fall.  Now I want something around the tree and I want old tinplate...on a budget.  Thanks, Jeff

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Models of Marx locos with lights and smoke include, but are not limited to, #333, #666, #1666 and #1829. The last is not common like the others, but works well, like the others. The first two are die cast locos, the last two are plastic bodies. Some of the #666 and #1666 have steam/smoke at the cylinders as well as the smoke stack. 

Originally Posted by chinatrain99:

In the past I've gotten some real low end Marx train sets.  I'm looking to get back into the Marx stuff.  As far as toy trains go, I like them!  When I look on ebay, I see tons of different types of engines...most low end with plastic cars.  These don't smoke, reverse, or have lights (at least the couple I had).  I see tons of wind ups to.  On this forum, and youtube, I've seen better grade Marx engines that have a lights, reverse, and smoke.  Could someone please give me a few model years that I can search on?  There are thousands of Marx auctions out there.  Also, being non technical, is there a sight either written or preferably youtube that can actually explain how to work on these engines.  I've had newer Lionel sets in the past and have gotten rid of it this fall.  Now I want something around the tree and I want old tinplate...on a budget.  Thanks, Jeff

Jeff,

I would suggest the Marx 666.  Most 666s have the smoke feature and light, and can be had at a modest price.  Search ebay, and read the descriptions careful to make sure you are getting a working example with smoke and lights. The Marx 333 can also be had with the smoke feature, but may dent your budget a bit!

 

Merry Christmas,

 

YJ

Just make sure you ask questions. 333's (die cast) are 4-6-2 Pacifics and 1829 (plastic) are 4-6-4 Hudson types. Only about 30% of these are smokers but all have lights. The smoke unit in these two types is somewhat hard to pick out in pictures until you know what to look for. A 90% or better rule of thumb on 333's with an awning over the cab side window have smoke, no awning, no smoke. My general stance on the 1829 is to only buy one in person. Mounting post may be broke, weights missing etc. The plastic 1666 came in a dizzying array of configurations. Probably 70-80% were smokers and the smoke unit is very obvious from the bottom. The die cast 666 is also easy to see the smoke unit from the bottom. Non smoking 666's are actually somewhat rare.

  There's a lot of 666's out there at all different prices.

  Most Marx engines are very low maintenance and don't require wide radius track.

  The 1829 have all the bells and ,well not whistles,but are plastic as mentioned,there for won't pull as much as a 333 or in my opinion the 666.

  Hand's down though for price and pulling power,go with an old reliable 666.There cheap enough and plentiful that you can paint ONE to suit your needs.

Originally Posted by mackb4:

 

 

 

  Hand's down though for price and pulling power,go with an old reliable 666.There cheap enough and plentiful that you can paint ONE to suit your needs.

 

I would agree with this also.  Though I also agree that 333 was about the nicest steam engine Marx made.   The plastic-bodied locos just don't seem to have much pulling power.

 

I did recently re-motor a plastic clockwork 198 and stuff it with weights so that it is a decent puller.

 

IMG_5256

Attachments

Images (1)
  • IMG_5256

Add Reply

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×