How Many Folks Would Like To See a Marx Layout In OGR Magazine?

Always liked the F units diesel from Marx, the litho and the colors were so cool I always wanted one. I never did get any but always admired what Marx was doing.

i would love to see some well done Marx layouts.

Dave

If someone out there has a nicely done Marx layout (would need to be more than a "carpet central"), I would be happy to consider it for publication.

I can think of three kinds of Marx layouts you can do, and that are probably out there ..l've seen layouts with all "six inch" Marx, one can be done with the plastic diesels and deluxe plastic cars, and the layout l had as a kid, running the 3/16 cars, freight and passenger, with die cast steam, (and a fourth with any combination).

I really enjoy seeing and learning about the litho-tin years of Marx. I don't know much about the Marx train line, but I would enjoy learning more.

That above picture of the litho KCS FM: Best example of same that I've seen.  I've saved it to a newly created "Marx" folder on my hard drive.

Andre

I sure would!  I don't have one yet, but I am in the planning/acquisition phase for creating a display-style layout.  I hope to finish it before I retire . . . . in 2030 or so

Count me in as interested............after all, they ARE TRAINS AREN'T THEY?

another yes! Marx made a wide variety of trains, great litho, 3/16" and the plastic.

I would be interested in seeing a Marx layout.

Yes, definitely

I would. I grew up with Lionel, but have a 333 and 999 now, with some 3/16 cars, and I like it very much. Louis Marx was a genius, in many ways.  Its all part of "O gauge railroading", after all, isn't it?

I am not interested in Marx

jay jay posted:

Louis Marx was a genius, in many ways. 

Seconded!  He got more play value out of more sets than JLC did.  Consider the Big Rail set I just acquired.  Included is a switch and enough track for a decent spur + a generous main oval, two uncouplers, a station platform with newsstand, two mechanical signals, 5 telephone poles, figures, a big bottle of smoke fluid for the smoking engine, an operating car with its track trip and bin along with the other cars, figures, and an Uncouple Here sign.  Few Lionel sets ever had that much extra packed with them, and they cost a LOT more than this one did.  And the final kicker:  this set came out after Lionel had already given up the ghost and sold to General Mills.

Now, I am very fond of Lionel, but Marx knew what he was about, and he accomplished a number of things that Lionel never quite pulled off.

I am a Lionel guy, but my first train in 1952 was Marx and I loved it. 

I am always in terested in seeing Marx trains, you, yes, articles please. 

Btw, check out the Marx Trains Facebook group for lots of cool Marx photos and info.

I would definitely like to see a Marx "spread" in OGR.  In fact, I would like to see a full length feature article on Louis Marx and his fascinating toy company incorporated in that "spread".  Marx trains had a huge impact on this hobby by virtue of his low cost "economical approach" towards toy train production which allowed so many of us lower income families to enjoy the benefits of toy trains during the 50s and 60s.  Showcasing some of Marx's highly innovative whimsical accessories would be a real treat.  I know there will be some who will say a toy/toy train company like Marx should not be featured in a publication like OGR but given the number of Marx trains which are being bought and sold each day and which are well represented on many layouts, including my own, I'm quite sure there would be a great deal of interest if OGR decided to take the plunge.

I'm in.. My first train set at age 10 was a Marx. I still have it, runs great. I now own mostly Lionel, But looking at that Marx brings back great childhood memories

Would also like to see it in magazine as i enjoy the non and smoking versions of our 333 and 1666 with its steamchest smoker among various other marx trains here.They are almost indestructible.

My preference would be not to see it in OGR.  To me, Marx layouts are more fitting for CTT.  Hence the reason I subscribe to both.  

Respectfully,

Greg

Well, OGR and others may not have covered Marx layouts much but there is a post here on OGR forum, that has lots of Marx.  The post is over 6 forum pages and has way more info than a 3-4 page magazine article would have and contains details on how it was built and in most cases why I built like I did.  Of course I would like to see more Marx and O27 articles in OGR magazine.

My layout has 27 Marx 1590 metal frog switches , mostly Marx O27 track and I run Marx 333, 666, 999, 1095 and 1998 engines.  The layout is a 50's period toy train layout with 50's type construction and conventional control using three Lionel LW's allowing 1, 2, or 3 operators.  I have several Marx 3197 passenger and many freight cars including my childhood 999 set.  I also run lots of Lionel, Williams, K-line and others too.  The layout has many operating accessories.  The layout can run 5 trains with relays to allow two trains per two of the loops.  A homemade turntable costing $10 is also featured.  I am big into scratch building, kit bashing, automating accessories and modifying cars and look a like Lionel cars.

Check it out below.  One click and you have it without waiting for publication.  I can add more photos of Marx engines and cars if interest is shown.

https://ogrforum.com/...ra-027-layout?page=1

My childhood Marx 999 freight set below.

Initial Original Board One below.

Additional Second Board added later

Charlie

That's a great looking retro-layout that brings back memories of my youth!  My maternal grandfathering passed on a Marx set to me when I was about 8 yrs old.  I had my little 4x8 railroad empire into my teenage years when the engine finally gave out.

-Greg

Absolutely. I've been a Marxist for years. It seems that the more Hi-Rail stuff I do, the more I enjoy the occasional "Marx break". Anyway, there was occasionally more realism there than many admit - but it was unpredictable.  I wish that Marx had offered more catalogues, which, I believe, act as kind of a "glue" that helps hold interest in a brand together. So far as I know they issued few.

I love seeing the AF guys adapt Marx 3/16" (S) scale rolling stock to their layouts. "Scale Lithography".   

I never had trains as a kid, but entered the hobby about 2000 with a Marx set. At one time I had a fairly large Marx plastic and tin collection. As I got into Standard Gauge I needed room so almost anything plastic was sold. Later I sold the 4 wheel tin. My Marx is now 8 wheel tin, both 3/16 and 6”. I do have one of the larger Modern Marx collections. Nearly 40 boxed sets and hundreds of individual pieces. Again, I concentrated on the 8 wheel version. I have a small section of my layout called Lumar Valley with mostly Marx tin structures and all 034 track. CTT in the past did a fair number of Marx articles. I compiled a spread sheet of them but have not updated it in a few years and no longer subscribe so don’t know of any recent articles.

Steve

Choo Choo Charlie posted:

Well, OGR and others may not have covered Marx layouts much but there is a post here on OGR forum, that has lots of Marx.  The post is over 6 forum pages and has way more info than a 3-4 page magazine article would have and contains details on how it was built and in most cases why I built like I did.

My layout has 27 Marx 1590 metal frog switches , mostly Marx O27 track and I run Marx 333, 666, 999, 1095 and 1998 engines.  The layout is a 50's period toy train layout with 50's type construction and conventional control using three Lionel LW's.  I have several Marx 3197 passenger and many freight cars including my childhood 999 set.  I also run lots of Lionel, Williams and other too.  The layout can run 5 trains with relays to allow two trains per two of the loops.  A homemade turntable costing $10 is also featured.  I am big into scratch building, kit bashing, automating accessories and modifying cars and look a like Lionel cars.

Check it out below.  One click and you have it without waiting for publication.          I can add more photos of Marx engines and cars if interest is shown.

https://ogrforum.com/...ra-027-layout?page=1

 

Initial Original Board One below.

 

Additional Second Board added later

Charlie

 

 

I'd love to see your layout featured in an article, and I'm sure others would too!  Plenty of material, no doubt about that!  The ingenuity, planning, and craftsmanship that went into your fun layout are what O Gauge Railroading is all about.  It has inspired me along the way as I build a layout with my kids.

I'd also love to see a "pure" Marx layout as well.  @Former Member , @handyandy , and @Steve "Papa" Eastman come to mind.

yes,would be a nice change

I am a Lionel guy, we are trying to build a 50x30 ft. building on a 100x100 ft lot, the county inspector say's the building is to big for the lot, you can only use 50% of the lot, the building is only 1500 square feet, the lot is 10,000 square feet, Hillsborough County has said it is a no go for now, the family Attorney is talking with the county to see if we can get it approved,if so I will use 750 square feet for the train room, that will be all 0Gauge postwar track and switches with postwar ACCs.  the rest will be my SIL's workshop for his wood working.

Allan Miller posted:

If someone out there has a nicely done Marx layout (would need to be more than a "carpet central"), I would be happy to consider it for publication.

I suspect that most Marx layouts were "carpet centrals" and usually just set up at Christmas time.