Marx diesel traction problem

Here is an older discussion thread on the #21: https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...marx-motor-questions

You will read it was never a great puller and definitely needed the weights mounted to do anything.

Yes, thanks for the research. I did notice that jwhite mentioned the plastic #1095 motor will interchange with the #21. The plastic E-7 motor is 1/4" shorter than the $21 due to the mounting bracket locations, so the rear of the locomotive would be sitting too low to operate.

Is there something wrong with Bullfrog Snot ? I was thinking about buying some for an engine of mine.

From my perspective, use of Bullfrog Snot treats the symptom, not the underlying problem; it is a kludge.

You have to put it on evenly, or the train will act like it has a flat tire. Not to mention the fact that it kills the current of any wheel you apply it to. And it wears off fairly quickly, so you have to keep applying it.  It's just a band-aid.

Not great pullers but I tried installing K-Line traction tires with mixed results,  Mine spun one out of  two off the wheel and never really performed all that great. They are what they are.

JimMcC

I'm going to shop around for a diesel wheel that has a traction tire like the ones on the 1998 switcher. That will hopefully do the trick. Or I could cut a groove into one of the drive wheels on my lathe, and pick up a traction tire from Robert Grossman Co. if that's what it takes.

I have an original  set of Marx 21 AAs-power and dummy.  The power unit has a major league weight installed in it which really helps in its pulling power but even then they can only pull four or five lightweight freight cars or three of their passenger cars.  Nevertheless, they are neat looking engines and the lithography is great. 

Weight.