Repairing a vintage Marx number 898 Steam Engine!

This steam engine belongs to a set that was recently given to me. You can see me inbox this set in a different video. This engine didn’t run when I got it so I decided to take it apart and fix it! Please let me know what era this engine might be from! I don’t own any other Marx trains so I know nothing about these near little engines!
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[@williamsantangelo]

Most Marx slide shoes I have are soldered on the inside of shoe
Thank You neat little set, absoulutly take good care of her!

[@Dusty0116]

Marx 898 0-4-0 Electric Steam Locomotive Green Lit marker lights is a post WW2 era set made between 1946-53. Hope that helps.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

I'm not a Marxist myself but I DO have my Marx "William Crooks" steam engine from 1959. (I was six years old when Mr. Claus brought it.) I took a look at the pick- up slide plate and indeed a wire is soldered to the plate but on the side facing away from the tracks, at least on my engine. So that wire on your pick-up plate may very well be in the right place. The important thing is it works!
According to a multi-make O Gauge train reference book I've got the 898 steam engine was made from 1946 to 1952 so we can suppose the set was made between those years.
Nice fix! And sometimes a good cleaning and lubing is all these vintage pieces need to wake them up.
It's also been said "The rarest Marx engine is one that doesn't work!"

[@gbgstrains521]

Thanks you for going out of your way and researching when this engine was made! Know I know how old it is, I also have to chuckle at “I’m not a Marxist”!

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

@@gbgstrains521 A name like Marx is one that's just begging for a wisecrack!
At least it's Louis and not Karl! Although Groucho, Chico and Harpo are more than acceptable as well!
And researching the engine was my pleasure!

[@Tennfatmatt]

I had a Marx passenger train set made about 1952 or 1953. It seems the wire to the strike plate on my engine came loose and the headlight would not work! So it seems that function was somewhat related to the plate's contact with the power. I can't recall whether it was ever reconnected or not! The set was given away when I was given a new Lionel set in 1959. 😢

[@just4funTrains]

Great, is this O Scale? What track do I need to test one? Thanks

[@gbgstrains521]

This is o scale, any track that is o gauge and has a center rail should work!

[@ronalddevine9587]

It sounds like you need some lube on the motor bearings.

[@benztrainz9030]

one spray of wd40 on the armature and that motor will run like new, no need to disassemble anything...

[@plunkervillerr1529]

Hi benz, Now that your settled in. Are you ever coming back on line?

[@ronalddevine9587]

That wire soldered to the center rail pickup is probably factory. But, then again the center rail pickup looks fairly new so it maybe was done by a repair person. Even Lionel had a wire from the center rail pickup.

[@gbgstrains521]

Thanks for replying! Like I have said before, I don’t know much about Marx trains!

[@jamesdenny4734]

Hello, what would make it spark?

[@gbgstrains521]

The middle Electric contacts are dirty

[@rayolson1882]

1946-1952

[@ethanarmitage5611]

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