Marx Train pictures

Dean,

It looks pretty darned perfect to me, great job.

Rich S.

Dean. That CP train has really turned out neat. Super job!!

Regsrds Don

Rich and Don... thanks guys.

Have a good day

Dean

Hi Marx fans and thanks for posting great photos.  PW53inVa your Marx layout really interests me, I am planning (long term) to make a nearly 100% Marx layout on the front porch of our summer place, I am thinking 4X8 or maybe even smaller especially in length.  I would really like to know the size of the layout you pictured.

In the meantime, here is a little car I picked up recently that is a bit unusual.  Its a 547 Baggage Car but in Silver / Red color scheme with red door runners.  Best I can tell it dates to 1936 or perhaps 1937.  I had not seen this color scheme before being used to the black lettering car.  Given its 85 years old, this guy looks great and seems hardly even run.  Don't know where he has been but he has had an easy life .

Here is a closed door view from the side showing the typical early Marx lithography in only 2 colors (not including the common black frame).   T/S couplers of course, note no "MARX" identification on the side.

Here is the end vies, showing the only place the MARX logo appears, on both ends.

Finally a side view with the baggage door open.

Well best wishes everyone.

Don

@PW53inVa posted:

Rainy day today from remnants of Ida so I worked on my Canadian Pacific train. My first try at repainting rusty crusty Marx and it's not perfect but it was a fun little project.

Dean

If you hadn't said anything or showed the project earlier, I would have believed you if you told me it was modern Marx from the 90s.

Don...my upstairs bedroom/office layout, which is mostly Marx, is 48 inches by 78 inches. I had a cheap fold up table that I wasn't using and cut a piece of 1 inch pink insulation board to put on top. Painted the 1 inch board with green latex paint. The track I used is Marx with the black plastic roadbed and I'm not sure if it is 27 or 31, probably 27. Having the figure eight in the middle lets you change it up a little on such a small layout. It's really a simple layout but a lot of fun. Let me know if you need any additional information.

I saw the overall picture of your layout on another thread and it is very well done. Looks like you have a great collection and nice shelves to keep it all in order.

Your baggage car looks factory fresh and I have seen pictures of similar ones with the red commodore v with red nyc tender pulling some red pullman passenger cars.  Makes a very sharp train. Gotta love the Marx.

RLH... thank you for your kind comments. Modern Marx really had some great looking engines and rolling stock. Living close to Roanoke Va I am very fond of the N&W J class 611 and Modern Marx made a great looking 611 and tender. It does not show up much for sale on the bay and if it did I would think it would go for a pretty high price. I think it is based on the Marx CP engine but the nose cone is rounder and the top is different. I think the top could be shaped out of wood and maybe the nose too. Oh well, maybe another future project.

Take Care

Dean

Dean Thanks for your comments and for the data.  Sounds like a 4 x 8 or maybe a little shorter table would work for my summer time layout.  Best Wishes

Don

If you're a member of the Marx Trains group on Facebook, then you've seen my postings of the Marx boxed sets in my collection. Over the years, I've accumulated over 500 complete boxed sets of Marx 4-wheel and 8-wheel plastic (I have a few tinplate, but plastic is my passion). Here's one of the latest sets I've added. I haven't shared it on FB yet so you're seeing it first here. Set 14950 is a rather unique set in that the freights have tab & slot couplers. I can't think of any other 8-wheel plastic set that came that way.

Chuck Gayle, River Birch Farm, Courtland, VA

Chuck great set and thanks for posting  I also love Marx plastic  Attached below are 2 of my more recent acquisitions  

First the Western Pacific work caboose and next the B&LE 4 wheel caboose

best wishes

Don

Happy FEF, Marx H0

Steve

I received a small Marx HO set for Christmas back in 1958 that had a Santa Fe F unit! It didn't survive my rough-house play and I don't think it survived to the end of that following summer.

Anyway, I had a lot of fun with it. Here's a picture from the Sears Christmas catalog of the exact set (set "A") I received that Christmas:

Fun times!

Andre

Wow...Marx fans its been since November that anyone has posted to this thread.  Thanks to Steve and Andre for re-opening the dialog.  Back in November Chuck Gayle talked about his extensive collection of Marx sets so I thought I might post one of mine.  Its nearly complete although it lacks the cardboard "village" that came with it...an item I am sure I am unlikely to ever find.  Nonetheless, here is Marx set 4353 from their 1965 catalog.  The set does still have the "telephone poles" that were originally part of the content.

Note that the figure 8 cross over is packed under the trains.  This matches the layout pictured on the cover.  Even after 57 years, the 490 loco runs fine!

Glad this thread is back

Don

@Don McErlean posted:

My! Marx went ALL OUT on that box cover! Impressive for the era and intent of the product!!

Andre

Here is a Marx Signal that is a Circuit Breaker.  I do not know the number and this one was new but has been used by my brother and me on our childhood Marx ping pong size, 9ft x 5ft, train board.  It had 4 Marx 1590 switches in an oval and figure 8 layout, and was down at Christmas time, for 2 weeks.  The Marx circuit breaker was use often as we had lots of derailments.

I installed 6 amp re-settable circuit breakers, with a 14 light bulb wired across the terminals, to indicate a"short", on each of my three Lionel LW transformers on 44 year old layout started in 1977.

Charlie

Andre:  Thanks for the comment on my Marx set.  Yes the box cover art was in fact a product all its own.  Thanks again

Don

Picked up these tough to find H0 Santa Fe passenger cars today.

Steve

WOW! Those Marx HO psgr cars are in EXCELLENT condition. 'Ya done good!

Andre

@Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

Picked up these tough to find H0 Santa Fe passenger cars today.

Steve

Wow...  I didn't know these existed.  Note the EMD blomberg trucks.

Rusty

"Waste not, want not" was one of Marx's key principles.

Andre

@Rusty Traque posted:

Wow...  I didn't know these existed.  Note the EMD blomberg trucks.

Rusty

Yes, they used the diesel trucks.

Steve

@Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

Yes, they used the diesel trucks.

Steve

I recall the MARX HO Hudson also had diesel trucks under the tender.

Rusty

@Rusty Traque posted:

I recall the MARX HO Hudson also had diesel trucks under the tender.

Rusty

Yes, my Hudson tender has the same trucks.
From what I understand these passenger cars were 1958 only. Someone mentioned they got the bodies from a Japanese company and added the diesel trucks.I’d like to know for sure.

Steve

Been a while since I have had something to add here.  This is a pic of the Marx graduated Trestle set along with the red brick version of the tunnel/bridge/overpass.  I've had a set of the trestles (along with odd extras and a complete bag of track clips), but it has taken me a while to find a separate tunnel/bridge/overpass that was complete, unbroken, and reasonably priced.  It just arrived today.

Completely unexciting but worth a pic.  I have to say that I like the Marx trestles more than the Lionel version.  Riveted girders have a serious, industrial look about them.  Now, I just need an opportunity to set up a Figure 8 and run a Marx over-and-under.

Here's a pic of the instructions:

Notice how little track is on the "ground" (#12 are the shortest).  These instructions (for the 034 track w/long straights) don't include the tunnel/bridge/overpass, but I think I can puzzle out how to use it

@palallin posted:

Been a while since I have had something to add here.  This is a pic of the Marx graduated Trestle set along with the red brick version of the tunnel/bridge/overpass.  I've had a set of the trestles (along with odd extras and a complete bag of track clips), but it has taken me a while to find a separate tunnel/bridge/overpass that was complete, unbroken, and reasonably priced.  It just arrived today.

Completely unexciting but worth a pic.  I have to say that I like the Marx trestles more than the Lionel version.  Riveted girders have a serious, industrial look about them.  Now, I just need an opportunity to set up a Figure 8 and run a Marx over-and-under.

Here's a pic of the instructions:

Notice how little track is on the "ground" (#12 are the shortest).  These instructions (for the 034 track w/long straights) don't include the tunnel/bridge/overpass, but I think I can puzzle out how to use it

The red is quite unusual. Seen plenty of gray ones.

Steve

Nothing exciting but these 3 H0 cars all had broken trucks. Picked up a couple of $3.00 cabooses to rob the trucks.

Steve

My first Marx train.

@palallin posted:

Been a while since I have had something to add here.  This is a pic of the Marx graduated Trestle set along with the red brick version of the tunnel/bridge/overpass.  I've had a set of the trestles (along with odd extras and a complete bag of track clips), but it has taken me a while to find a separate tunnel/bridge/overpass that was complete, unbroken, and reasonably priced.  It just arrived today.

Completely unexciting but worth a pic.  I have to say that I like the Marx trestles more than the Lionel version.  Riveted girders have a serious, industrial look about them.  Now, I just need an opportunity to set up a Figure 8 and run a Marx over-and-under.

Here's a pic of the instructions:

Notice how little track is on the "ground" (#12 are the shortest).  These instructions (for the 034 track w/long straights) don't include the tunnel/bridge/overpass, but I think I can puzzle out how to use it

I had Lionel trains, but at some point my parents bought me this Marx trestle set. I like the risers better than the ones Lionel made and as I remember, they were easier to assemble to the track. My set had a gray overpass though. Wish I still had  that old Marx set.

Jeff

Well Hello Marx fans, good to see this thread re-appear.  Steve your rescue of Marx HO is great, not too much data on this part of the Marx production and its great to see those passenger cars.  PRRick - great first set...be careful, the Marx germ is catching . Palallin - super trestle set, great to see one complete, they are usually in pieces (often thrown in the bottom of another box).

Well today I have an oldie for you.  You might know that what has been called the Marx 6" series, especially the 4 wheel series, was Marx's first production of trains after he took over the Girard Model Works in 1932 and subsequently moved beyond selling their "Joy Line" trains.  These little trains remained part of Marx line up until the 1970's so their variations are numerous.  They had three early "series", the Group 1 was essentially Joy Line trains and contains the well known "short wheelbase" cars, Group 2 where about the same shape as later cars (Group 3) , but were much simpler in lithography (normally 2 color) and had different (round end) frames.  These lasted up until about 1937 when a new frame, different coupler mounting, and some brighter multi-colored lithography were introduced.  These later cars are often referred to as Group 3 and they are the ones we most often see.

So today I have a Group 2 caboose, the basic shape will be familiar as it is about the same as the very well known 556 NYC caboose (also known in other numbers for other RR)  however the lithography and frame / coupler mount clearly identifies it as an earlier variant, numbered #694.  Only offered in NYC and only in two color lithography (red/black).

Here is the Marx #694 NYC caboose.  Group 2 because of the normal wheelbase, black frame without lithography, rivet mounted couplers, and round end frame.  Note the Tab / Slot couplers (2) but without coupler pockets and the "round end" frame visible below the rear railing.  These two features are the key dating features of the car.

A little extra touch Marx put on this caboose is the rear railing.  One can also see the "portholes" in the rear bulkhead, another feature often missing from later cars.

Here we see the two key dating features of this car.  First the rivet mounted couplers.  These were introduced in 1936 in the transition from the "Joy Line" couplers.  Next the "round end" frame with no coupler pockets.  This frame was discontinued in 1937.  Hence this car was made somewhere between 1936-1937.

Well best wishes fellow Marx fans...hope you have a great week ahead.

Don

FYI: Cabin Fever Auctions has some Marx items in their upcoming auction this week.

Jeff

Don't mind my sudden sinus attack. I always preferred to run my Marx H0 F units and Hudson, but buried deep and not seen for years, I have a few sets with these small diesel and steam switchers. This one is oiled and running now.

Steve

Steve:  Neat HO from Marx.  The gondola and the B&M boxcar are near copies of what Marx offered in O gauge, too bad they never made a little diesel switcher like you have (unless you count the GE 70 ton type). One question...is that ballasted track a Marx product and did it come with the set?

Thanks, hope you feel better and your sinus problem goes away.

Don

@Don McErlean posted:

Steve:  Neat HO from Marx.  The gondola and the B&M boxcar are near copies of what Marx offered in O gauge, too bad they never made a little diesel switcher like you have (unless you count the GE 70 ton type). One question...is that ballasted track a Marx product and did it come with the set?

Thanks, hope you feel better and your sinus problem goes away.

Don

Thanks Don. The track is MTH Realtrax.
I have chronic Rhinitus so it’s not unusual this time of year.

Steve

Another H0 set oiled and ready. Set #64888.

Steve

This is the Marx  H0 set I have had the longest. Bought it in 2004. I've run the trains years ago, but never set up the race cars. The un powered A unit is not part of the set. Made it up from my junk box.

Steve

Another H0 set running. Had to repair a couple of coupler pockets. 16475 from about 1959. This gets all my older sets running. Now I have a few new to me sets on the way.

Steve

Steve: Great pictures, not sure I really ever encountered Marx in HO...when I (foolishly I think today) traded in my Lionel trains for HO in about 1956 the leading maker of HO was "TYCO" not sure if they are still in business, but I still have all the trains.

Don

My first HO set was MARX from Sears.  New Haven 0-4-0T and bay window caboose, Western Maryland gondola, Allstate tank car, Lehigh Valley hopper, Erie flat with Allstate (or Burlington, my memory's foggy on that account) truck, Santa Fe box car, power pack, oval of stamped tin track with fiber ties, and oversized station platform.  No box, it was on a blister display board.

All for the princely sum of 10 bucks a couple of days after Christmas.  Carrying it home on the bus was pretty awkward for a 10 year old.

Rusty

Another one running. This is not from my years ago stash, but a recent purchase. Not the smoothest F unit I have but it does the job. The dummy A is not part of the set, but made up from a broken shell a set of B unit trucks and a spare frame.
Set 9821 I cannot find in the Sears Wish book.

Steve

Steve - Great Set!  Not only does it have the "Allstate" logo on the box but the set has an "Allstate" tank car.  Neat for sure and certainly from Sears.

Don

Most Marx fans will get it.