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Post by folksinger on Jul 25, 2024 2:06:45 GMT
New Member: I just found my father-in-law's Marx M10005 Stream Liner train set, from the 1940s. It's in incredible condition for being 75-80 years old. I just want to get it running, again.
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Post by healey36 on Jul 25, 2024 7:12:06 GMT
We look forward to seeing it back in form!
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Post by steveoncattailcreek on Jul 25, 2024 7:47:29 GMT
New Member: I just found my father-in-law's Marx M10005 Stream Liner train set, from the 1940s. It's in incredible condition for being 75-80 years old. I just want to get it running, again. Here's a preview of what it may look like, once you do: The motor in mine was problematic when I got it, so I shipped it off to my motor guy for a full refurb, and it has run like a top ever since! The only other maintenance was a good coat of auto polish, to bring the shine on the lithography back. Good luck, and feel free to post about any problems you encounter, so we can assist!
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Post by folksinger on Jul 25, 2024 12:54:27 GMT
I hoping to get the track secured to some plywood and get that little train running on the tracks, soon. By the way, I am wondering about the original transformer.
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Post by folksinger on Jul 25, 2024 13:34:18 GMT
The electric motor, in the engine? After hooking up the transformer,and wiring it to the tracks, I found that I wasn't getting power to run the train.
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Post by steveoncattailcreek on Jul 25, 2024 15:12:04 GMT
By the way, I am wondering about the original transformer. The electric motor, in the engine? After hooking up the transformer,and wiring it to the tracks, I found that I wasn't getting power to run the train. Well, if the transformer runs other engines without problems, or can put out a measured 15 volts AC or so at full throttle, you're getting all the power you need. If you don't have another engine to run the test or a multi-meter (or a light or other accessory to test power), you're back to basic troubleshooting. First (and particularly if you are using old track), you may be having connectivity problems. Make sure all the electrical contact surfaces (terminals to wires, wires to track, pins between track sections, and most importantly, the top contact surface of all the track sections) are clean, bright and shiny. If the engine kinda-sorta tries to move in fits and starts, better in some locations than others, that's probably confirmation you need to take apart the track and do a thorough cleaning (there are plenty of forum threads on track cleaning you can search for). OTOH, if the train still will not move, or moves slowly and reluctantly but steadily, I suspect the motor needs a thorough cleaning, or even a full rebuild like I gave mine. Again, I believe there are forum threads on engine maintenance, but just opening the engine and giving the motor a drenching shot of contact cleaner (or something like WD40, but if you use that, be sure to lubricate all bearing surfaces afterwards with a light oil (10 weight or so, or any light lubricating oil) since WD40 does *not* lubricate) will probably yield enough improvement to validate the diagnosis, or falsify it. If neither of the above yields promising results, you may just want to cut to the chase and turn the engine over to one of the many who rebuild motors. Pre- and post-war Marx engines are well nigh indestructible if given even minimum maintenance, and repro parts are available to bring even the sorriest basket cases roaring back to life, at relatively modest cost when compared to even low-end modern rolling stock. Let me know if you need a recommendation on a rebuild, and I'll PM you my motor guy's contact info. Good luck!
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Post by folksinger on Jul 25, 2024 16:48:54 GMT
Thanks Steve.
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Post by healey36 on Jul 26, 2024 13:15:20 GMT
A while back I was scrolling through photos at the Library of Congress and came across this shot of a 1930's Christmas, some lucky kid having received a Marx M-10005 from Santa. Given the two-rail track, this looks to be the clockwork version: ![](https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/pnp/hec/29200/29241v.jpg) Monster of a Christmas tree, lol.
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