What is it?

[S&G Rute of the Silver River]

I resently aquired an old set. its third rail, made of cast metal, relativly small, exposed headlight, and came with stamped tin cars.The cupplers are stamped metal and locks with two teeth. If someone tells me how I'd post pics on here, and see if we can't find what it is and options to do with it." src="/trccs/emoticons/icon_smile_8ball.gif">

[csxt30]

Hello S&G !!  To identify your engine, just tell us what the number is on the side of the engine, & maybe there is a plate on the bottom. See what that says if there is one. Also, if there are numbers on the sides of the cars, that will help too. 

Now for posting pictures, here is the instructions. If you need more help, just let us know !!

http://www.cuppleshobby.com/photoposting_instruct/

Thanks, John

[S&G Rute of the Silver River]

Thank you, I'll try to put up some pics soon! Ok, # is 1999 (NYC) has;    Made In United States Of America.  MAR  MAR LINES on the back of the tender.The tender narrows twards the rear of it. No markings stand out on the cars, a UP box in "The Challenger" scheme and a Reading caboose with MAR LINES Printed on the side.

 

[Anonymous]

Your train set was made by the Louis Marx Toy Co.
One of many "dime store" sets. Very inexpensive, very
nice and very collectible. Does it run? Have you tried to
run it? Should be OK with a clean up and lube. These
things were made to be played with so have fun.

[S&G Rute of the Silver River]

Don't know if it runs, came with tyco trontroal for two rail use don't know if I have the corect parts to add power to track. I also came with a water tower, bell stand (works), crossing guate, floodlight tower (works) and a roof off something as well as lots of track, but no switchs. Why is it valuable? and where might I find more? I'll take it with me next time I go to Planes,Trains & Autos in belvue to see if it runs. Thank you for the information.

[Anonymous]

As stated, your train is made by Marx and probably dates from the 1940's (1941 at the earliest).  It is of the Marx 3/16" scale type of trains.  Even though they run on O gauge track, size-wise they are S scale (3/16 of an inch=1 foot).  As far as value goes, here's what the Greenberg Marx guide says:

999 locomotive: $20 good condition, $40 excellent condition.  (However, there are some more valuable versions of this engine.  Check the cowcatcher.  If it is plain and smooth, you have the common one, but if it is embossed with spokes/holes/openings, it is worth considerably more.)

NYC "wedge" tender: $15 good, $20 excellent

UP Challenger boxcar: $20 good, $35 excellent (By the way, there is an extremely rare version of this car with red ends that is worth $100-$200.  I doubt that you have it, but I thought it's worth mentioning.)

Reading caboose: $10 good, $20 excellent

Marx trains were built to last and are very reliable, so you should be alble to get a lot of enjoyment out of your set..  Marx trains were also mass-produced and are generally quite common to find.  Therefore, getting a transformer to use with it should be no problem.  The same goes for finding switches, extra cars, etc.

[mitchelr]

S&G Rute of the Silver River- There is a very active Marx group on Yahoo Groups.  Very knowledgeable bunch of folks.

Mitch

[S&G Rute of the Silver River]

Thanks guys. I'm definatly keeping these and making a small layout for sensional purposes.

[Dr. John]

Your Marx set is definitely a keeper! I have a couple of 999s. They are nearly bullet proof and run like a scalded dog! Just clean the wheels, lube the motor and let 'er run.

One word of warning: Many of the old Marx engines have a gear that runs to the edge of the drive wheel. This will cause derailments on modern switches. If you are planning to have  switches on  your layout, try to find some old Marx switches (readily available on Ebay) either manual or remote control. Marx locos can usually run through older Lionel 1121 and 1024 switches (no guardrails) but may require some modification. As to straight or curved track, any three rail track works fine.