How To Use Marx Turnouts With Lionel Trains! Easy Mods For Smooth Operation
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ต.ค. 2024
- Episode 62: Marx turnouts are inexpensive and dependable, but many believe they are incompatible with Lionel trains. NOT TRUE! With two easy modifications, Marx turnouts can work with Lionel, MTH, K-Line, and other O27 trains of any era.
The first modification involves the addition of two track pins - hobbyists have known this trick for years.
The second modification involves a simple 3D printed part (download free here: www.thingivers... ) that prevents roller pickups from catching on the Marx switch.
Keep the trains running!
I had these same Marx switches on my layout as a child. Most of my track was Marx. I had the Lionel Cannonball Express set, but got another shortly afterwards. Don't remember much about the second other than it being a green 2-6-0 with alot of freight cars. I had a fold down layout mounted to a cheap wooden door. Great times!
Excited after seeing this video I ordered 12 pairs of Left and Right turnout inserts from Craftcloud for a total of $31 delivered. They arrived today and I tried them on my Marx 1590 switches (I have a lot of these). The Right Hand turnout inserts fit loose in the frog and will have to be glued down. The Left Hand turnout insert has to be filed down to fit at all. The two turnouts are attached to one another to switch from a large outer loop to a smaller inner loop.
I tested them using a Williams locomotive as seen in the video. In one direction (going from the Left Hand turnout across the Right hand turnout on the outer loop (straight part) the Williams stalls because it looses power with the Left Hand insert in place unless I speed through it. This is going around the larger outer loop across both turnouts. Remove the Left Hand insert and there is no problem. It gets power all the way across both turnouts. Turn the locomotive around and go in the opposite direction - it doesn't loose power on the straight part (outer loop).
If I switch the two turnouts to the curve and go around the inner loop clockwise (Left Hand Turnout first onto the Right Hand turnout with the Williams it works fine. If I go around the inner loop counter clockwise it derails going from the Right Hand insert across to the Left Hand insert every single time consistently. Remove the inserts - no derailment.
I have some Lionel 027 passenger cars. Those wobble going through the turnouts. The problem occurs on the little chopped off slightly curved end of the frog. The part where the center rail is halved and slightly bent over at the top edge. There is around an inch of track left over at that end of the switch. Look at the video and you will see the part of the frog that I mean.
Smaller engines like my MTH Bump n Go Trolley, Lionel Postwar 2026, Williams Steamer 4-6-0 all seem to go through the turnouts with the inserts in place at any speed.
Perhaps the author can attach a Left and Right Hand turnout together and see if he can duplicate the problem with his Williams. Solution? I have no idea.
Correct, Lionel's runs great on the old manual Marx switches. Marx single reduction motors will derail on Lionel switches.
Its also good for locos with one pickup shoe, my lionel 1655 is missing the back pickup shoe and it struggles on lionel switches, i introduced it to marx and it works great
Good tip!
Who would have thought. Hmm a plastic insert. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome 😊
You are the king of content on this stuff.
Thanks!
Very helpful thank you!
Very good idea one thing I found was that Lionel slide shoes can't be operated if MARX uncoupling section Is present on your layout the blade will catch the slide shoe and usually break off and derail just a heads up!!!
Actually, I have an upcoming video on Marx tilt couplers and uncoupling devices. You're ahead of me! :-)
Wow, those are great ideas on how to get those old Marx turnouts to work with Lionels and others. Interestingly, I just received an old abused Marx layout that was fastened to a sheet of 4x8 plywood. It was left outside against a garage for over 25 years and is completely rusted over. It has the very same manual switches and are completely frozen in place with rust. I was going to toss it, but after seeing your video, I may give it a soak in WD40 and see if they can be salvaged. By the way, Love the SP black widdow!!!!
It's been said that the only "rare" Marx train is one that won't run! Good luck with the layout and thanks for watching!
If you haven't yet re- rusted the Marx layout that was left outside for 25 years, try soaking the track pieces and turnouts for at least 24 to 48 hours in white vinegar. The white vinegar turns that oxidation into a thing of the past that enables the track to conduct electricity and loosens up track turnouts. After you pull the track out of the vinegar, neutralize it in cold running water and baking soda. You can then if you choose, bake the track pieces in an oven on a cookie sheet at 200 ° F. for 1 hour, no more.
The result will be that not only will the track be re- rusted, but internally it will be also cleansed. This process is for tubular track only.
I like the Conrail
Will this 3d printed item work on the prewar o27 Lionel switches with the same frog?
The concept should work the same, but I believe the actual dimensions of the Prewar Lionel and these Marx turnouts are slightly different. It would require a little tweaking, I think.
I see what your saying but how did you with conclusion ....you are awesome.
Wonderbar !
Have you done any work around ror the Marx 034 turnouts?
I used to have several Marx O34 turnouts. I sold them all. I know it is theoretically possible to add a guardrail, but I was never able to get the geometry quite right.
Lionel 1121 turnouts work fine with Marx "fat wheel" locomotives...and I think they are neat looking as well give one a try! :)
I have one. It's next to the 3rd Marx turnout in the video. Modern rollers are very noisy on it and it sometimes causes derailments. I have not been happy with it. I will be replacing it with a Marx.
The 1121 is what's causing all of the noise near the 3rd Marx turnout.
@@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks Interesting, I've never tried any modern stuff when I had the 1121's set up... I use K-Line and gargraves turnouts now. Keep up your vids, they're great.
Thanks. Yes, it all comes down to equipment and taste. The 1121 design LOOKS like it should work with anything, but I have a few Lionel and Williams locos that do not like the 1121 for some reason.
This is so awesome, You are a great man and great TH-camr!!! Lik'd and Sub'd
Thanks!!