"The Joy Line Coach" antique clockwork train set

[Anonymous]

Hello,
I'm new to the forums and renewing my model RR enthusiasm. Last year, my 87 year old grandfather gave me his toy train set to put around my Christmas tree. It was given to him when he was about 4 or 5 years old. I am curious as to its manufacturer and origin. Grampa does know and the box is long gone. The only markings are on the three coach cars: THE JOY LINE COACH" is printed on the sides above the windows and "357" is below the windows at both ends. The locomotive and the coal car have no markings. The cars are tin or sheet metal and the locomotive is cast. Any info would be greatly appreciated. And its not for sale at any price.
Thank you,
Rich

[marxalot]

Here is what the FAQ on tinplate references regarding Joy Line...... what ever
you have it must be pretty old! There is a Marxtrains group at Yahoo where more
information might be available.

Jim

MARX
A popular manufacturer of toys and trains founded in 1919 by Louis and David Marx, which usually supplied the price niche below Lionel and Flyer, making it popular with those who couldn't afford those brands. Marx train production started in 1938 when they purchased Joy Line trains. Marx was likely the last train maker to convert from stamped steel to plastic, in the 1960's, whereas Lionel and Flyer did so in the 1940's and 50's. Marx's principle concern was maximum production and quality at the lowest price. As a result there were endless variations of products. Additionally Marx often did not place catalog numbers on many trains. In 1972 Marx sold the company to Quaker Oats Company who continued production until 1975. Many of the Marx dies were purchased by MDK, who changed only the name imprint. The Marx trademark is currently the property of American Plastics, and has recently been licensed to James and Debby Flynn, who are making reproduction stamped steel Marx trains.

[pbjwilson]

I ride the Joy Lines. Great little antique trains.

Hold on to them and enjoy them. You have a nice history to go with yours.

Jim gave you the History. Here's my set, although I don't have a Joy Line ngine.

[Anonymous]

I have this set, with the cast engine. Got it at a flea market about 20 years ago for $25. Did not realise how lucky I was, condition wise, until I saw the beat-up stuff offered on eBay. Joe

[Dave Farquhar]

Glad to hear it's not for sale at any price. All too often the first question people ask is what it's worth.

Joy Line was manufactured by Girard Model Works of Girard, Pennsylvania. Louis Marx became Joy Line's biggest distributor. Girard ran into trouble in the Depression, and Marx was one of the few companies who actually grew during the Depression, so Marx ended up buying the company. Marx revised the Joy Line designs pretty extensively not long after. The Girard plant remained in use until the early 1970s.

I have a Joy Line set, but it's a later sheet-metal locomotive, and the cars aren't in the best of condition. They don't turn up often, because they were only made for a few years.

The Yahoo Marx group referenced earlier is at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MarxTrain and I highly recommend it.

[Anonymous]

Joy Line trains were made by the Girard Model Works of Girard, Pennsylvania, a toy company who first manufactured them in 1927. In 1929, Louis Marx became Girard's chief salesman and brought the company enormous sales. However, Girard went bankrupt in the early 1930's and Marx fully acquired the company in 1934 (not 1938, as marxalot's post says). Also in 1934, Marx came out with toy trains of their own design and so focused on them instead of Joy Line. They stopped making Joy Line trains for good in 1935.

Your engine is the Joy Line #102. It was only manufacturered in 1930 and '31, so your grandfather's set would date from then. Most Joy Line passenger cars have black bases and orange roofs (like pbjwilson's). However, sometimes the bases are blue and the roofs yellow or red. These are much harder to find. All Joy Line trains are quite valuable and sought after by collectors.

For a look at the various trains produced by Joy Line, check out http://home.comcast.net/~marxtin/site/marxtin.htm a great Marx website that has a section devoted to Joy Line.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies! I can't wait to tell Gramp. My set looks like Paul's pic. I'll post some pics atfer I shoot some. Thanks again, Rich

[Anonymous]

Hey guys, how do I post a pic? Never mind. copy & paste. My grandfather said he bought it when he was 10 or 11 which would have been '30 or '31 just like Sask said. Thanks again.