My Marx 1666 does not need to run at full speed. It jumps the track if you do. However, it is a bit old and doesn't like to pull cars at half throttle. If it could be geared down the motor could run faster without the train running faster. I'm using all original parts - transformer, track, locomotive, etc. I was able to clean the track very well. However, the motor is worn. The gear shafts need to be bushed in the side plates and some of the gears show wear. I replaced the brushes and cleaned everything but it is still an old locomotive. Can you buy new stock that will couple with the older cars? This locomotive coupler has the tab bent straight down that goes into a slot in the tender coupling. The rear of the tender car uses the Marx fork style coupler. What are my options?
Can a Marx 1666 be geared down?
- Thread starter Granpa49
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Bruette
Well-Known Member
Welcome aboard, you’re asking a good question, because the Marx 1666 is one of those engines that *feels* like it should have more control than it actually does. Marx and Lionel both made locomotives that were too fast for the tracks.
My 1994 Lionel RS3 has taken flight off the rails and crashed to the floor below. It's something you have to be aware of with older locomotives. My RS3 was the first, the last the only one to take flight off the rails.
Can a Marx 1666 be “geared down”? - Unfortunately, no, at least not in any practical or drop‑in way. The Marx 1666 uses a Fixed-Ratio Worm Drive. The worm on the armature shaft and the worm gear on the axle define the speed. You can’t change the ratio without machining new parts, and Marx never made alternate gear sets for slower operation. The motor speed directly becomes wheel speed.
Can you buy new stock that will couple with the older cars? - If you want to pull modern cars compatible with Lionel you'll need an adapter or a tender swap.
Good news: Marx made millions of cars with fork couplers, and they’re still easy to find. You can buy Marx cars that will couple directly to your Marx tender and other Marx cars. Plenty of locomotives available too! Marx, Lionel, MTH, Wiliams by Bachmann and others. You never know for sure where the hobby will take you.
My 1994 Lionel RS3 has taken flight off the rails and crashed to the floor below. It's something you have to be aware of with older locomotives. My RS3 was the first, the last the only one to take flight off the rails.
Can a Marx 1666 be “geared down”? - Unfortunately, no, at least not in any practical or drop‑in way. The Marx 1666 uses a Fixed-Ratio Worm Drive. The worm on the armature shaft and the worm gear on the axle define the speed. You can’t change the ratio without machining new parts, and Marx never made alternate gear sets for slower operation. The motor speed directly becomes wheel speed.
Can you buy new stock that will couple with the older cars? - If you want to pull modern cars compatible with Lionel you'll need an adapter or a tender swap.
Good news: Marx made millions of cars with fork couplers, and they’re still easy to find. You can buy Marx cars that will couple directly to your Marx tender and other Marx cars. Plenty of locomotives available too! Marx, Lionel, MTH, Wiliams by Bachmann and others. You never know for sure where the hobby will take you.
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)