When I started back into H0 trains, I was picking up parts lots. Over time, I built up enough parts to rebuild a couple of locomotives, including this one.
This is an early Marx F-7. No headlight, and what can only be described as a "sad" face. There are a number of theories about why Marx and American Flyer/Gilbert H0 F units look so much alike. Some have said that they are actually the same dies, but elsewhere it's been pointed out that there are minor differences. I suspect that Marx either copied Gilbert's design, or rhey used the same die maker.
Either way, this one was almost complete. There are a couple of steps knocked off, something I need to repair at some point, but my biggest concern was getting the motor running.
As usually happens with these models, the brush holders break in time. Usually, these are made from an insulated board, akin to Bakelite. Sometimes they are made from electrical insulation paperboard. In this case, it was the Bakelite.
Originally I had planned on using a PET type plastic, but this motor runs very hot, so I looked for other materials. What I ended up using was a thin, sturdy carton board.
It worked.
I have both an American Flyer and a Marx F Unit. I can confirm that the body shell is very similar, but the shape of the nose and front pilot are different between the two.
ReplyDeleteThe motor in my American Flyer was shot, so I re-motored it with a Marx motor I bought on ebay. I then found out that though they look very similar, the motors are also different; for one thing, the wheels that pick up power are on different sides; so I had to undo the tabs and flip the wheels around to make it work. I also broke the brush holder on mine, and used the original as a pattern to 3D print one. As you said, these motors run hot; it melted a little, but held together long enough to work. I have a video on this and the drawbars I made for steam locomotives, my first two 3D printing projects.
I know that there was a lot being said about how similar they are. I keep seeing some of the later AF models on eBay from time to time, though I never really wanted one until now (my interests with Gilbert/AF being namely their H0 Hudson). Thanks for letting me know and confirming it, my friend!
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