[BENZ TRAINZ]

picked this up on ebay for a couple of bucks, originally dc can motor, i modified a full size marx motor and installed it in the 112 shell, added a head light and a tab & slot coupler. pulling 16 lionel cars.

head light added

pulling lionel

 

[wvgca]

so the switcher only drives on one set of wheels, not two ??

 

[BENZ TRAINZ]

so the switcher only drives on one set of wheels, not two ??

no, all 4 wheels are driven. this is a single reduction motor so the output gear drives a single intermediate which drives both right wheels, the left wheels are locked to the same axle so all 4 wheels are driven. a double reduction motor the output gear is driving two intermediate gears, one for EACH right wheel which provides an exponential increase in torque and limits wheel slip.

 

[wvgca]

oh, okay ....
i don't have any marx, so the reference to single or double reduction didn't mean anything ..
thanks

 

[Spence]

Another nice addition to the roster. You have to be closing in on 200 engines!!

 

[Millstonemike]

oh, okay ....
i don't have any marx, so the reference to single or double reduction didn't mean anything ..
thanks

Single reduction motors are akin to driving in 4th gear. Low torque but high top speed (usually more than enough to go flying off the tracks). Double reduction motors are like driving in 2nd gear. Lots of torque (e.g., pulling power) but lower top speed.

In prewar tinplate, I always look for double reduction motors to ensure enough pulling power for longer trains. I would think single reduction motors were produced for simplicity (e.g., lower manufacturing costs).

Prewar Lionel double versus single reduction motor.

 

[ERIE610]

NICE MARX UPGRADE

Thanks for sharing the upgrade videos for the Marx entry level #112 switcher. Looks to be a pretty strong puller. Just a little wheel slip at high throttle startup.

LATER