Marx E-7 Reversing Unit

Diok S posted:

I picked up a Marx Western Pacific 901/902 E-7 set at a garage sale.  The bodies are in beautiful shape.  It was missing the 2 power truck plastic side frames and one horn. I got them from Robert Grossman.   The set looks great.  It runs fine but  drops dead or reverses itself on switches or suddenly reverses itself for no reason.  I have never owed a Marx engine.  I assume that the reversing unit need servicing.  Any advice on what to do would be helpful.  Feel free to contact me at my email address hocustom@aol.com.  Thanks 

 

In my own experience, Marx reverse units are very sensitive to crud, especially if they've been used or stored in less-than-ideal conditions.  The first fix I always try is to locate the reverse unit and spray electronic contact cleaner in it, then put the locomotive on the track and run it, operating the reverse unit frequently to flush the debris out.  Repeat as needed.  [NOTE: Many contact cleaners contain lubricant.  I recommend NOT using them, as the lubricant will just attract more dirt.  I only use straight cleaners, with no lube added.]

For me, that's what works 80% of the time.  Only in stubborn cases is disassembly needed.

Of course, all this assumes that you've already checked the obvious trouble spots, like dirty wheels, brushes, center-rail skate and commutator.

Congratulations on finding an F7 set in good condition.  They're usually pretty badly beaten up.

Thank you so much.  Will see what happens.  They are really beautiful.  Gorgeous color scheme.  A little Armor All and the bodies are like new.  

Always liked these. They have a serious "look". I have a rough ABA; never tried to run it.

I used to hope that this body tooling might re-appear from RMT or somebody, on top of modern can-motor running gear sporting the original-look trucks. Probably would have happened by now if it was going to.

With sudden reversing, the first thing consider is it doing it in the same place. If so, look for dirty track. Also dirty drivers and collector. The next thing I’d look at is the collector shoe and spring itself. They often get slightly bent or the spring is weak not providing enough contact pressure. If none of this helps, then attacking the reverse unit is next.

Steve

Would like to see a picture of these.  Are they anything like the Marx 6000 ? 

Nothing like the tin 6000. The E7s are close to 3/16 scale except being wide to accommodate the swing of the motor.

Steve

If these are the silver versions vs. green that was a good find, as it will be anyway when you get this bug out. 

Marx 6000, F3

Marx E7

Thanks Steve.  

Found these on google.

I have a pair of Rock Islands both powered they run great!

That is the WP set that I got at the garage sale.

Thanks everyone.