Louis Marx Set

[jetdoc]

Greetings all,

 I have just received a Louis Marx train set Model number 26333. It appears that it is complete including the radio control tower. The engine is metal with the number 999. An open car with Baltimore & Ohio 254000 Bluish grey in color, a green box car with GAEX 1905, the coal car (metal) reading New York Central and the Marlines logo, and a red over grey caboose reading NYC 20102.The transformer reads Cat # 1249, the radio tower is # 424. The box for it says you are to shout into it for forward/reverse and stop. There's about 8 to ten plastic houses and two trees.

I am more interested in the approximate date of manufacture, more that the value, but I would appreciate both. The overall appearance is very good. I see no dents, paint wear etc. The bow is in good shape as well. Heck, I even have the green tag that says the transformer has a built in circuit breaker.  It looks like all the track is there, being a curved and straight with a cross track piece. I have not verified it is operational yet, but judging from the appearance and the minor wear on the loco's copper contract strip, it should be fine.

 

Thanks for any help you could give me.

Ray

[Algonquin]

Hi Ray,

 

Marx sets are difficulkt to identify specific years of manufacture. Based on my copy of Greenberg's Guide to Marx Trains Volume III - Sets, the 26333 should have a green Cities Service Tank car # 2532 not a 1905 Green Box car. However, it was not unusual for Marx to substitute cars in sets with the same numbers. But everything else you list is included in the set. My book is a 1991 copyright. The listed values are $45 in good condition and $85 in excellent condition.

 

Tim

[overlandflyer]

judging by your description of a copper strip, the #999 is more than likely a postwar version (the prewar Marx pickup was a 3-piece construction).  the best you could probably narrow the date to would be approximately between 1947-1957.  fyi, the (951) NYC tender is known as the 'wedge' tender because of its tapering shape and the GAEX-DF boxcar is probably #1950.

this is a 3/16" scale set that doesn't really contain any remarkable items.  you will likely find similar sets in completed eBay auctions to get a general idea.  condition is, of course, important and having the original box (complete with dividers, track, accessories, etc) always seems to be a little more attractive to collectors.

i'd be very surprised if the loco didn't work.  Marx motors are practically bulletproof.