Well today I am going to indulge my interest in the "cheap stuff" over the course of our toy train history. Marx through out its post war production, constantly sought to make at least one train set that would be within reach of the budget of every family. In 1952 they began producing the 4 wheel plastic cars...these are molded in one piece and have no floor (except for the gondola) or trucks but the axles and wheels are inserted by spreading the body and using the "spring force" of the molding to hold the axle in place. The trucks are simply a one dimensional facade created as part of the body casting. In later years to make them somewhat more realistic looking these facades were painted black. In 1952 these cars were molded in color but had no names imprinted- there is some uncorroborated information that the set sometimes included some decals to be used on the cars. In 1953, these cars were imprinted with the name "Marlines" (obviously for Marx Lines) . In later years real RR names were used. The set uses the standard type 400 Marx 0-4-0 steamer, wind up, that has wide spread application in the Marx line up and was also widely available in later years as electric. Below is pictured Marx Set 1479 from 1953 but it is missing the boxcar (which I have been trying for years to find 
). The rest of the set is as pictured from 1953.
Well Happy Steam Day to everyone. Hope your upcoming week goes well.
Don
