Marx?

Yes, indeed!

 

Absolutely, Marx is spoken here.

 

Steve

I started out an Ives traditionalist myself, and then surprised myself by falling hard for McCoy.  But even with that, I'd be very open to the argument that Marx is THE tinplate, if for no other reason than it's the TINNIEST of the tinplate!  I've been scrounging old prewar 4-wheel Marx cars when I can find them, and they really do bring a grin every time I see or handle one.  There's some kind of genius in the simplicity of design and the lithography that is just so totally different from the fancy-pants stuff (like my Ives)!  Don't get me started on Marx accsessories, those designers were truly creative.

The M litho makes look as if if has 3D detail.  You could put in the back of a layout, and very few will notice!

Bring it on! All tinplate is welcome!

The era of true tinplate ended with the introduction of diecast. The litho Marx cars are cute. There's a bunch of Marx collectors on this side anyway....So I extend a welcome.

i might give it another decade or two.  Marx didn't start making litho trains until 1935 and diecast locos had already been out a few years by then.  i'd say the end (or rather death knell) of tinplate was the passage of the 1972 Consumer Product Safety Act.

Marx most definitely is included in this group.

 

As far as I am concerned, the red descriptions should disappear altogether, but in any case there is no need whatsoever to name specific brands because that list--tinplate manufacturers only--would be very long.

I agree with Allan here. If you start adding names, who do you leave off? Flyer, U&R, H&H, Skyline, Hafner, Hoge etc. It would never end.

 

Steve

And Marx units do not tend to enter Gomez Addams mode:  Go 6 feet, then melt down electronics!

...but they do feature that interesting to operate, no neutral E-unit.  hit a track glitch and shift right into full throttle reverse.  always keeps you on your toes.

 

fun stuff...gary

I've gotten so used to the Marx E-unit operation that when I run a Lionel I think it's broke when just the headlight comes on.  That neutral position is a pain sometimes.

I think some late PW and MPC Lionels had 2 position E's.