Fatman...you are now defiantly the "BIG WHEEL" among our group!! Great Marx CP loco as well. Do you know if its pre or post war? Is it an 0-4-0 or a 2-4-2 ? Marx made both arrangements. Based on some details, it could date as early as '39 but was then reissued '46-52. Marx made these as 494,495,and 3000 series engines. The key feature separating it from the 391,396,397 series is that it only has one dome and the 39X series had two. In addition the 39X series had a round smokestack while the 3000 and 49X series had the tear drop shaped stack like yours. This would put your engine in the 49X or 3000 series. One key is if there is lettering on the side boards, it would typically be "Marlines" but sometimes said "Canadian Pacific" or sometimes just the number "3000" other variants have just the blank sideboard with the colored trim and no lettering at all. Marx, unfortunately for us collectors today, made a bewildering number of variants on this great loco. In fact he made more variants of this type loco than any other. However, I would agree with your seller..."if its Marx, it will RUN!"
Speaking of Marx, I posted this picture on Front End Friday, but thought you all might like it. Its kind of "pre" Marx. It is a Joy Line loco, CW, from about 1932-35. This followed the Joy Line, cast iron loco made from about 1927. The manufacturer was the Girard Model Works of Girard Pa. which had been founded in 1906 as a manufacturer of springs and was engaged in the toy business from about the 1920's. Louis Marx & Co. became their sole toy distributor under a 5 year contract in 1929. Subsequent financial difficulties resulted in the Girard Model Works filing for bankruptcy in 1934 and Marx (who was a major stockholder and was serving as one of the Directors of the Model Works) acquired the assets of the company from the receivers in January 1935. It was reorganized as the Girard Manufacturing Co and began to produce Marx toys in 1936.
Here is the "mighty" Joy Line steam locomotive pulling her Joy Line heavyweight passenger consist about 1932-1935.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Don
