Marx help please....

[Anonymous]

Hi all! I just came across this forum today while trying to find some information on a train set I found in my grandpa's barn. I haven't found out much at all, and am hoping someone here might have more info for me.

It has the original box, the top of the box says: Stream Line steam type Electrical Train by Louis Marx & Co., Inc, remote control. On the side of the box, the # is 52852.

It contains:
The 666 loco.
A flat that says G.E.X. 4583, has a revolving spotlight on it
Erie 51170
A.T.&S.F. 4427 (red caboose)
A Santa Fe coal car (couldn't find any #s on it, has the marx logo on the bottom of it. 8 wheels, plastic)
many pieces of track and a transformer.

Can anyone help me out with more info? Value? Age?

Thanks so much!
Amanda

[Dr. John]

Hi Amanda and welcome to the forum!

We have a number of folks who collect and operate Marx trains who are more knowledgeable than I am. Some factors that weigh on the value are: overall condition - does the transformer work? does the engine operate? what is the condition of the engine and rolling stock - clean and shiny, dusty, scratched and play-worn? Is the track rust-free?

I purchased a similar set on Ebay recently in good condition for about $40. While that may not be the best indicator of the set's value, Ebay can give you a pretty good "real world" price. As to age, I'm not sure. Probably just before or just after World War II.

[Anonymous]

Amanda,

I have a Marx priceguide here and this is what it says for values:
-666 Locomotive: $20 good condition, $30 excellent condition
-Santa Fe tender (the proper term for the "coal car", hauls the fuel for the engine): $10 good, $15 excellent
-GEX 4583 floodlight car: $50 good, $100 excellent (by far this is the most desirable piece in the set)
-Erie 51710 gondola car: $10 good, $15 excellent (I'm assuming that it's black. If it's a different colour, let me know.)
-ATSF 4427 caboose: If it's bright red with black lettering, the value is $10 good, $15 excellent and if it's dark red with white lettering, it's worth $15 good, $25 excellent.

Naturally, being that it is a boxed set, the value will be higher than the combined individual values I listed. The track and transformer are worth very little. As Dr. John says, condition is everything. As you can see, the it makes a big difference in value. Whether or not it works isn't nearly as important as cosmetic condition, however. Marx trains were built well and 99% with only a minimal amount of cleaning, they will run like brand new again.

As far as age goes, this set would date from the mid to late-1950's. Also, this is an O gauge train set.

[Anonymous]

Great! Thank you so much. Now I just have to decide if I want to keep it or sell it. (There's no sentimental value with it, my grandpa was an auction fanatic and bought tons of stuff-I'm positive this was one of his auction finds) Do you think e-bay would be my best bet for selling it as a group? It's all in good condition, a little dusty from being in the barn, but looks like it could clean up pretty nicely.
[:)]lol-you can tell I'm a train newbie-thanks for the right names!

Thanks again!
Amanda

[Anonymous]

Toy trains are great fun and you can get hooked on them very easily! Should you decide to keep it, the people here on the forums should be able to give you any advice you need on how to use it.

If you decide to sell it, ebay is a good option. If there is a hobby store that deals in old trains in your area, they may also be interested in it, but keep in mind that they would only give you about half of what they would sell it for as they are in the business to make money.

[Dave Farquhar]

Amanda, if I had the set and was looking to sell, I would eBay it as-is. List it in the right category (Toys & Hobbies > Model RR, Trains > O Scale > Marx), state your shipping costs up front, start and end the auction in the evening, take lots of pictures, and you ought to do OK. The floodlight car will be the main attraction, so make sure you highlight that in the listing. You want to attract people who collect sets and people who are primarily interested in the floodlight car.

You might check the classified ads in the paper from the closest large city to see if any collectors advertise "trains wanted" ads (there are 3-4 people in St. Louis who do so--if you're lucky enough to be on the east coast there'll probably be more than that), but if you don't easily find a local collector, eBay is the best way to turn it into cash quickly.

[Anonymous]

[xx(]It is as common as dirt and in perfet condition might get you on ebay $50 -$75.

As a toy the play value is great.

Keep it and build a lay out.

Extra cars and accessories are chaep and plentiful.



Head for Home depot for some ply wood. [:)]

[Dave Farquhar]

I just thought of one other thing... Try setting up a loop of track and see if the locomotive runs and if the floodlight car works. If they both work, mention it. The locomotive really should be lubed before running for an extended period, so mention that, but if that's all it needs, it'll sell for a bit more. A collector won't necessarily care how well it runs, but a lot of people who buy Marx buy it to operate.

The trick on eBay is to play as many different types of people off each other as possible. Broader appeal brings higher prices. I've seen things that should sell for $100 go for $20, and I've seen things that should sell for $30 go for $1700. (The high bid on that one turned out to be a typo, but it takes two to get the price that high, and I don't know what the other guy was thinking.)

Of course, once you see it run, you might decide to keep it. And that wouldn't be bad.

[Anonymous]

If I might add, if you can take pictures of your set, take one of everything in the box, then at least one picture each of the individual cars and the locomotive. That is, assuming you put them on Ebay.

While the set is rather common, the search light car is one that most Marx collectors want. The 666 locomotives are common but very popular. I have several and would not mind having more. Like Dave said, it would be good to see if it runs, but for many Marx collectors that is a secondary consideration.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all so much. I really don't know what I'm going to do with it yet. Could use the $, but would like to keep it too. Maybe I'll put it on ebay with a higher reserve. If it sells, Great! If not, that'd be great too..lol. I tried to set it all up, but the wires that connect to the track are missing, so don't know if it works or not. I live in central Missouri, not any train hobby shops close, but maybe I'll find one in Jeff City or Columbia, (they're both about an hour drive). Surely someone there could point me in the right direction to get it going. I'd love to see it running. (And my 3 year old daughter would really love to see it running. If I end up keeping it I'll probably be on here with questions all the time. Again, thanks for everything. Had no idea how helpful you'd all be.
Amanda

[Anonymous]

Get some wire at the hardware store, about 2 feet , cut in 1/2. Get 18 gauge stranded or solid wire and strip each end enough to connect to the transformer and track. If you don't have the lockon (the piece that holds the wire on the track) you can hold or mickey mouse the wires to the track, one to the middle rail and one to the outside rail. At least this will tell you if it's working.

[Anonymous]

Since it is not worth much you should consider keeping it for a few years and put a track under the Christmas Tree.

That 3yr old daughter will love it for now and for several more. Sell it when it is no longer of interest, that is unless you get the train fever!

Charlie

[overall]

Amanda,

Like qqqman said, you can get wire at a hardware store. Another source of wire is Radio Shack. They have it already packaged on little spools called, appropiately enough, "hook up wire". The advantage here is that you can wind up the left over wire on it's spool and save it for wirong accesories, should you decide to keep the set and expand it.

If you decide to keep the train, you could get a 4'x8'sheet of 1/2" plywood and screw the track down on that. 027 track is still manufactured by Lionel, so you can get more of it to go with the track you already have. As long as it is 027 track it will be compatible with the track you already have. If you have more questions, just post them here and we get them answered.

I would encourage you to keep the set and get it running. You can always sell it later if you want to.

George