Books on the OTHER tinplate train manufacturers

Greenberg made one for AF in the 1970's, it has numerous mistakes that Northwood Flyer and some others set out to correct on another forum. There was another one I don't remember off the top of my head that provided a brief (but not 100% accurate) synopsis of the histories and products made by the big 4, the Europeans, and most of the smaller makers in the 1990's. RMC had a series of articles that had better detail than the afore mentioned guide, but it might be difficult to locate all the issues to read all the columns, starting in the late 1967 issues.

There were books published recently on Voltamp/Boucher and on Beggs. The Voltamp book is available on Amazon. There was a thread on here recentlhy on the Beggs book, which is available from the author. There was a book published several years ago that was about multiple tinplate manufacturers. It was edited by OGR's own Allan Miller. 

There were/are three books done on Marx trains, by Greenberg,  one by Eric Matzke, a second book I am not familiar with, and a third, on Marx sets,  by Bob Whitacre, a now deceased NW Ohio minister, who was an early and active Marx collector.  His set book depended on vountary contributions from collectors, and some major ones are not contained in the book.  This is too bad, for Marx made a great many sets....."One of the many Marx toys, do you have all of them?" was often printed on a Marx toy box.  Marx could have printed, "One of the many Marx train sets. do you have all of them?"  Like the toys, I doubt if anybody comes close.

Greenberg also did a guide by John Bradshaw on Kusan trains, which also covers American Model Toys (AMT).

Walt Hiteshew has several really good Marx CDs available and one for postwar European clockwork tinplate too on the web   toyandtrainguides.com/marxtin

Hafner guide also available in E-book from the author Gary Konow "Wyandotte Toys Are Good and Safe" -Both Hafner and Wyandotte info.

Australian trains "Spring, Spark and Steam" by Bruce MacDonald (Ferris, Robilt, Maurlyn, etc)

European prewar- "Clockwork Steam and Electric" by Gustav Reder

"Nonpareil Toy and Novelty Company"by Shelton Weil

"Ohio Art- the world of toys" by Lisa Kerr

colorado hirailer posted:

There were/are three books done on Marx trains, by Greenberg,  one by Eric Matzke, a second book I am not familiar with, ...

whereas the Marx Vol 1 covers all the versions of 6" tin, Joyline, all the articulated sets and steam locomotives; the Greenberg - Marx Vol 2 contains information on all the diesel types, 3/16" scale, 7" tin and plastic rolling stock as well as covering Accessories, Marx HO,  train related toys, paper and miscellaneous stuff, tracks, transformers, etc...

i would definitely recommend the Walt Hiteshew CD as a supplement for Vol 1, but the book does cover a bit more.

and while the 1997 Prewar Flyer edition isn't perfect, it's a great reference especially on how Schuweiler defines the "Type" classification system tremendously simplifying the early Flyer numbering system...

for Hafner and Dorfan (no C&F ... yet?) this is my go-to book...

cheers...gary

The third book on Marx was by Rob Whiteacre and pertained to sets.

If you like the windup Marx Commodore Vanderbilt:

off topic- James can you identify 201479136137 on the Bay? Interesting cast clockwork

Jim, based on the motor it appears to be an AF windup, although I have to confess my knowledge of the AF types of locomotives is sorely lacking.  It has a homemade cowcatcher.  It looks like it is one of the cheaper AF windup motors with the escapement (as opposed to a proper centrifugal governor).  They are not good performing windup mechanisms, no matter what is done with them.  But, it is a wonderful cast iron locomotive... I love that style of body!

Jim O'C posted:

off topic- James can you identify 201479136137 on the Bay? Interesting cast clockwork

first off, James, sorry for not mentioning your publication when i listed the Marx resources.  your research into the CV variations corrects much of the Greenberg data that is either wrong or in most cases, just missing.

re: eBay 201479136137 ...  it is Flyer, but not completely original.  the casting is a Type XV #34(!) which should be red and contain a ringing bell motor.  the original pilot is also missing and it's not shown very well in any of the views, but somehow it looks like a sheetmetal replacement was fabricated and attached.  imo, hardly worth the starting bid.

cheers...gary

overlandflyer posted:

Jim O'C posted:

off topic- James can you identify 201479136137 on the Bay? Interesting cast clockwork

first off, James, sorry for not mentioning your publication when i listed the Marx resources.  your research into the CV variations corrects much of the Greenberg data that is either wrong or in most cases, just missing.

re: eBay 201479136137 ...  it is Flyer, but not completely original.  the casting is a Type XV #34(!) which should be red and contain a ringing bell motor.  the original pilot is also missing and it's not shown very well in any of the views, but somehow it looks like a sheetmetal replacement was fabricated and attached.  imo, hardly worth the starting bid.

cheers...gary

Gary - 1) No apology necessary.  You listed the  best overall references; mine is a specialized work of limited scope.  Considering the topic, I just couldn't resist a somewhat shameless plug... (the book is available from Amazon if anyone is interested) 

2) Thanks for filling in the specific information on the AF locomotive.  I really need to purchase the Greenberg's guide to American Flyer Prewar O gauge and study up on Flyer... notice how I brought this back on subject?    But Marx, Ives and Hafner windup trains tend to attract my attention over Flyer windups for some reason.  I'll splurge for the book one of these days...