Wind-Up Train Question

[EIS2]

When I was a young lad in the late 1940's, my parents always got me a wind-up train for Christmas.  The trains came with an oval of track.  I am sure they were inexpensive trains because my parents did not have a lot of money.  I have no idea what brand of train it was.  They either weren't very well made or I was extra rough on them because they usually didn't last more then 2 or 3 months. 

What were the brands of wind-up trains that were sold in the late 1940s time period?  The engine was a steam engine and the sets were purchased in Flint Michigan.  I would like to look for a set at train shows or ebay if I know what to look for.

Earl

[Train-O]

Earl,

My family was in the same boat, as yours.

I don't recall any other brand of wind-up train, but Marx, in the late 1940's.

My brother and I, each got a set of Marx wind-up trains and track, for a late 1940's Christmas.

The steam locomotive and tender were black, the tender had some white detailing on it.
There was a yellow boxcar, with light blue sliding doors and I think, some light orange color somewhere and black detailing.
The caboose was red, with black and I think some yellow, detailing.

All of the rolling stock was lithographed and made of tin metal.
The loco., on one side, in its middle, had a hole, where the large, white metal, wind-up key, was inserted.

That's the best that I can recollect. 

Take care.

Ralph

[JamesP]

Hi Earl,

Like Ralph, I come from a Marx train family.  My first train was a wind up Marx, or Mechanical as Marx referred to them.  I'm sure there are other brands of clockworks out there, but Marx was probably one of the most common.  They made several different types of wind up locos in a variety of sets.  Just to give you something to look at , here are a few locos from my collection:

http://nfrailroad.com/page27.html

This is a more complete listing of Marx windup locos:

http://reviews.ebay.com/MARX-TIN-TRAIN-LOCOMOTIVE-IDENTIFICATION-GUIDE_W0QQugidZ10000000009480012

Start looking at those pages and see if anything looks familiar.  If not, we can probably rule out Marx and hopefully some others will chime in with more manufacturers in that time frame.

 - James

[Otis B. Drinkwater]

Hafner was making windup trains in the 1940s and 1950s.  I believe that Wyandotte also made windup trains some time in that era.

[Train-O]

James,

Nice, collection/list. 

I;m not exactly sure, but if  Marx #591 was made around the late 1940's, then that's the about the loco. and tender, my brother and I had.

One, of my friends had a Marx electric set, I believe from the '60's.

Thank you,

Ralph

[wallyworld]

Another possible source of the equipment is Hafner Trains and to a lesser extent, Unique Art.If you look over at this week's Sunday Photo Fun you'll see I posted a picture of a windup Unique Art engine to see if that is a match.

Below is pictured one of many  Hafner sets. The TCA has more photos and information on Hafner here:

http://www.tcawestern.org/hafner.htm

Here is another Hafner variation.albeit somewhat modified..Heres hoping you find your set!

[dsmith]

MARX, HAFNER and UNIQUE ART are the only USA brands of windup trains that I can think of, that were made in the 1940's. Marx was by far the most common.

[David Barker]

I have owned numerous clockwork sets and in my opinion Marx was the best.

[Waynestrains]

Like you my first train was a Marx windup. I can only say WOW! looking at yours. I have a lot of Marx , and Lionel electrics but only a couple Marx and one Hafner mechanicals.  Thanks for your site, it's great.

Wayne