This was my big Brother's train set. It was the first train I ever played with and he just gave it to me. 
It needs some work on the engine, and I don't know if it will run, but that doesn't matter, it's from my brother, that's what matters.
I don't know anything about Marx trains, but I figured out that the engine is a 494 from eBay. This was a set from the 40's which figures, David, my brother was born in 1942. If anyone can tell me more, please do.
Thanks
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Cute set Charley...
One thing to look out for on those Marx engines is the BIG gear
on the drive wheel. It does not like modern day gargreaves switches.
Other than that I'll assume you'll bring it to "A day out with Thomas "
next spring ?
Bruce....
"The only rare Marx engine is one that doesn't run" 
. Clean the commutator, wheels, axles and brushes, lube 'er up and I'll bet it takes right off. The center contact shoe, wheel surface where it contacts the rails, and the rails themselves need to be kept cleaner than for other makes, for Marx engines to run smoothly.
You'll have a lot of fun with it.
As mentioned by Stoshu the same-as-the-wheel-diameter gear causes the engine to rock 'n roll thru most switches outside of Marx. Exceptions are Lionel 1024 and 1121 switches, per other forum members' postings.
Hi Charly; We have some Marx aficionado's over on the tinplate forum that may have more info on them.
Charly, how lucky you are. Your Marx train reminds me of the windup train, I think it was a Hafner, my Grandmother gave me when I was about seven. I had a Lionel 2026 set and I guess someone told her I liked trains so she gave it to me for Christmas. It had a little tap that hung down. When the tab hit a tie it rang a bell. Wish I still had the set. It was the only present she ever gave me. Guess she wasn't into presents much. Don
OMG, that is the exact first train I had. Sure wish I could find one. I also had the big Marx freight station with all the figures and the freight wagons. Talk about nostalgia!
That was my first train set, too. I received it for Christmas, 1947. Later, my father mounted an on/off toggle switch on top of the transformer. I still have some of the set packed away; I'm sure the engine runs or can be made to do so.
Bill
You have a very special big brother, don't you? 
Yes! Yes I do!
Cheryl,
What an awesome addition! I am so happy for you!
What a great reason to leave a loop of track up when we work on our layouts, eh?
Very nice.
Dick, I've put together a similar trainset from Marx items I got from http://trainmarket.com
I have a donor on the way to get my little guy going again. It's presently minus one wheel and a marker light. Hope to post some videos once we're up and running.
Test ran the little guy tonight. What a rocket! Didn't have a 12volt bulb, so put in a 14volt, a little dim, but works. Plan to do some video tomorrow. Pretty neat to see it run after 50 some years, 
Awesome! I can't wait to see it!
OMG, that is the exact first train I had. Sure wish I could find one. I also had the big Marx freight station with all the figures and the freight wagons. Talk about nostalgia!
OMG here also. That's the first train I ever had as a a kid. Dad bought it somewhere around 1948 and I still have it along with a set of Marx remote switches. Dad would set it up around the Christmas tree and then he'd pack it away after the season. It's still in good shape with very few scratches and is still in it's original box. I always loved the cattle car and caboose. I'll dig it out later and post the info on it.
That is wonderful! Thanks for sharing!
Charlie
I'm going to take a guess it is set number 3987-12. The 3987 sets were pretty common and there were a few variations. In general the various pieces you have started showing up in 1938-39 time frame and continued with only minor changes through around 1952.
Steve
That's what trains are all about ! Thanks for sharing
Cool
Now that's Railsounds
I love the backward tender---reminds me of some of the department store displays as a kid when the sales guy had no idea how to "set up" a train
It use to drive me crazy---"Mom that's wrong"
Have Fun
Joe S
Oh my Gooooodnesssss! I didn't even notice, I was so excited about running it I didn't pay any attention to which way the tender was! So embarressed....
If you look at the stills, it is properly oriented, so I do know the difference, lol.
Glad everyone enjoyed, it's neat to think that the train that got me going has finally come back to me. 50 years later...
Looks and sounds great! Conrats on getting it running again. Fair warning though - Marx trains are like potato chips, you can't stop at just one!
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
