Marx Factory Error? "Redhead" ATSF

Dunno if missing its back step, would damage the value, but this is probably a

factory error, for the reasons you have stated.  I have not seen one like it, or if

I have, I overlooked it.

Not an error. I have 2. I figure one day to convert one to a power unit. I kind of like the looks.

Per Tasker Brush. "<tt>it came in one set in 1958 and is referenced in factory documentation". It was the unpowered part of an ABA. Must have saved the buyers a couple of pennies. The power unit had the yellow stripe.
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Steve

Wow, I knew Louis was all for economy, but that's really extreme, omitting the trim back where it won't be so noticeable.  Thank you, all. 

It was the customer pinching pennies from a already low priced set. They set a $$$$ point and Marx would trim a few things to reach that point.

Steve

Steve, that couldn't possibly be why some of the ATSF scale streamline cars have a mixture of some solid steel and some coined wheels??  I know some came like that - I still have my 1957 set.

The cast wheels came out in 1956 and were a Sears/Allstate exclusive for some time. They were mainly used on the deluxe cars, but I have even seen them on later Sears sets of 6" tin with the small tin diesels. The earliest of these cars had all 8 wheels with cast wheels. It was found the did not conduct as well, so on lighted cars, searchlight cars etc, one axles worth revered to tin wheels. The other 3 axles remained cast.

Steve