I was looking at some videos of the Marx M-10005 running next to prewar Lionel trains and the size difference is very noticeable. Is this just an accepted thing or are people mixing the smaller Marx tinplate with prewar Lionel on the same layout? I really like the M-10005 and found one in nice condition but I am hesitant because of the size difference. Any thoughts about this?
Thanks
Scott
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With tin of all brands, size is all over the place. It's part of the charm.
Steve
if you compare the Marx M10005 to Lionel 800 series freight cars, there will be a noticeable difference in 'scale'. not so much if you run 650 series.
even when some late prewar trains tried to present a relatively close resemblance to a prototype (eg: Commodore Vanderbilt, M10000, etc), you still can't really nit pick too much with tinplate. much of the compressed and scaled-down look made the ridiculously sharp O27 curves look a lot better.
as streamliners go, Hafner M10000's have to be right up there with the smallest on O gauge. the big ugly Hoge's are at the other end of the scale. if you're familiar with the Lionel Jr streamliner (1700e, 1701, 1702), the Marx M10005 is about the same size.
With tin of all brands, size is all over the place. It's part of the charm.
Steve
Not only is it part of the charm, but with pre-war trains, it is to be expected. They were toys, nothing more, nothing less. You will love the Marx M10005. They are, to me, the epitome of tin plate in both sight and sound. I just picked up my fourth M10005 this past weekend.
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