I don’t own either locomotive, but it seems to me Marx did a wonderful job designing/producing their SF F-unit to try to capture that segment of the O Gauge marked who longed to purchase a Lionel, but could not afford it. I hope to locate a Marx SF at an upcoming flea market/train show.
I was given the Marx tinplate passenger set by my cousins when one went off to college and the other went to Europe with his parents, He was still in high school. I know the Lionel 2343 has two Magnatraction motors, horn, and three position E-unit, but I love my old Marx set. Marx trains were made to be affordable.
I got the marx 21 locomotives at an antique store for $30 ca in really good condition. probably the best I've ever got with a train . I really recommend them there super cool looking and fun to run
Very nice. I have both units. The later Marx diesels that were plastic have the wheels that can traverse Lionel switches. Most of their steam engines also have what you refer to as 'Fat Wheels' and won't go over Lionel switches without derailing. The later plastic diesels match-up with their passenger cars much better than the larger, lithographed units. It is fun to run both of them.
Superb comparison. I own a modest amount of Marx and Lionel. The Marx locomotives are easier to work on since they aren't that complicated. Marx was the poor man's Lionel. The 21's I own are part of a Sears HappiTime boxed set. Nice job and nice layout.😎🚂✝
Very good video and contrast Marx to Lionel. I've always like the Lionel, since my childhood in the early 50's. The Lionel F unit looks more prototypical over the Marx. Thanks for posting, enjoyed very much.
Marx was always a lower coast version, Lionel did cheapen there F 3 in 1955 by eliminating grab irons and steps on the trucks screens on top and porthole windows by filling them in, In 1955 the Santa- fe only had 1 motor #2243 latter it had 2 motors #2383
The dual motors on the lionel and magna traction sure is a plus for pulling long consists or heavy post war rail cars such as ten 3469’s. I don’t know about Marx ability but the 200 series Alco’s (too light weight) even w/magna traction both axles is limited unless one double heads powered engines. The 2023, 2033 Alco’s etc would be a better choice (heavier) again double headed power units. The 2343, 2344, etc F3’s are real strong w/MT, more weight & duel motors.
The Marx is a very strange combination of an EMD FT and an six-axle EMD E unit. Lionel's is a reasonable model of an EMD F3. Lionel has a plastic shell; Marx is lithographed tin-plated steel. Marx appears to have six wheel trucks (incorrect); Lionel has four wheel trucks. 2:00 Nose decal was called a 'cigar band.' The yellow vertical stripe should go all the way up to the cab windows as on the Marx. 5:48 "stretch logo" on side is lettering (not logo) called 'Extended Railroad Roman.' Same font as used on psgr cars. 8:46 Those 'grates' are the dynamic brake vents--both models use the F3 style. 9:20 those are radiator fans. Lionel is correct; Marx is fake. Use a pointer, not fingers Place a light source in front of models, not in back. Hard to see details.
Marx guy here, the Marx #21 does have a head light, for I own one, your's must be missing. Also, the Marx 21 was manufactured between the years 1950---54, so the higher tec. isn`t there.
I don’t own either locomotive, but it seems to me Marx did a wonderful job designing/producing their SF F-unit to try to capture that segment of the O Gauge marked who longed to purchase a Lionel, but could not afford it.
I hope to locate a Marx SF at an upcoming flea market/train show.
I was given the Marx tinplate passenger set by my cousins when one went off to college and the other went to Europe with his parents, He was still in high school. I know the Lionel 2343 has two Magnatraction motors, horn, and three position E-unit, but I love my old Marx set. Marx trains were made to be affordable.
I got the marx 21 locomotives at an antique store for $30 ca in really good condition. probably the best I've ever got with a train . I really recommend them there super cool looking and fun to run
Very nice. I have both units. The later Marx diesels that were plastic have the wheels that can traverse Lionel switches. Most of their steam engines also have what you refer to as 'Fat Wheels' and won't go over Lionel switches without derailing. The later plastic diesels match-up with their passenger cars much better than the larger, lithographed units. It is fun to run both of them.
Superb comparison. I own a modest amount of Marx and Lionel. The Marx locomotives are easier to work on since they aren't that complicated. Marx was the poor man's Lionel. The 21's I own are part of a Sears HappiTime boxed set. Nice job and nice layout.😎🚂✝
Very good video and contrast Marx to Lionel. I've always like the Lionel, since my childhood in the early 50's. The Lionel F unit looks more prototypical over the Marx.
Thanks for posting, enjoyed very much.
One thing I would add, Marx 21 looks great pulling Lionel cars. (And you can afford the Marx. I know, because I have 4 of them.)
Enjoyed the comparison, nice work.
Thank you!
Marx was always a lower coast version, Lionel did cheapen there F 3 in 1955 by eliminating grab irons and steps on the trucks screens on top and porthole windows by filling them in, In 1955 the Santa- fe only had 1 motor #2243 latter it had 2 motors #2383
The dual motors on the lionel and magna traction sure is a plus for pulling long consists or heavy post war rail cars such as ten 3469’s. I don’t know about Marx ability but the 200 series Alco’s (too light weight) even w/magna traction both axles is limited unless one double heads powered engines. The 2023, 2033 Alco’s etc would be a better choice (heavier) again double headed power units. The 2343, 2344, etc F3’s are real strong w/MT, more weight & duel motors.
The Marx is a very strange combination of an EMD FT and an six-axle EMD E unit. Lionel's is a reasonable model of an EMD F3.
Lionel has a plastic shell; Marx is lithographed tin-plated steel.
Marx appears to have six wheel trucks (incorrect); Lionel has four wheel trucks.
2:00 Nose decal was called a 'cigar band.' The yellow vertical stripe should go all the way up to the cab windows as on the Marx.
5:48 "stretch logo" on side is lettering (not logo) called 'Extended Railroad Roman.' Same font as used on psgr cars.
8:46 Those 'grates' are the dynamic brake vents--both models use the F3 style.
9:20 those are radiator fans. Lionel is correct; Marx is fake.
Use a pointer, not fingers
Place a light source in front of models, not in back. Hard to see details.
The Marx 21 does have an operating headlight. I own two of them, and they both light. Not the strongest pullers, but very impressive litho engines.
I think the Lionel has better details but Marx has very good 6 wheel trucks on the front and back of the engine
Awesome 😊
Marx guy here, the Marx #21 does have a head light, for I own one, your's must be missing. Also, the Marx 21 was manufactured between the years 1950---54, so the higher tec. isn`t there.
Marx did pretty good for being a really cheaper version and if I was. A kid then id be happy with ethier one
The Marx should have a headlight above the front truck on the inside you should be able to see the socket for a bulb
Got them both marx got little motor Lionel big
Nice vid but I missed the bottom view of undercarriage.
Lionel has it all over Marx.