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Who Doesn't Own a Piece of Marx?

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Who Doesn't Own a Piece of Marx?
Posted by lionelsuperotrack on Sunday, June 25, 2006 12:14 PM

With this in mind I have written 2 Marx eBay guides strictly for the fun of it. I do not sell Marx. Just enjoy it. I have been collecting and developing an interest in Marx for quite a while.

Have you noticed what is unique in the Classic Toy Trains photo in the July 2006 issue page 16. It is a majestic sight!

My interests have lead me to some expertise in Marx. With this in mind I have written 2 new guides. Do take a look at the 2 below links and if you feel they add value your YES vote is appreciated:

Marx Train Guide --------2-4-2 Steamers 666 & 1666
http://reviews.ebay.com/Marx-Train-Guide-2-4-2-Steamers-666-amp-1666_W0QQugidZ10000000001234906

Marx Train Guide---------2002 Electric Hand Cars
http://reviews.ebay.com/Marx-Train-Guide-2002-Electric-Handcars_W0QQugidZ10000000001236562

As we say in Chicago, "Vote early and vote often."

Thanks, Mike

"Super O" + Marx Guides Which are GREAT!!
(
http://search.reviews.ebay.com/members/lionelsuperotrack_W0QQuqtZg )

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Posted by FJ and G on Sunday, June 25, 2006 12:33 PM
I had a set when I was young but sadly, my mom sold it when I went off to join the Marines. I hope whomever has it is happy.
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Posted by msacco on Sunday, June 25, 2006 12:43 PM
Was just running my 666. OMG I love that engine.

Mike S.
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Posted by dwiemer on Sunday, June 25, 2006 12:54 PM
Mike,
Interesting and good to read. I learned a few things about the handcar my dad gave me. That was the only Marx I had until this year when I purchased a few Marx accessories and a passenger set with the "Bogota" cars. They are neet to have added to my collection and will have a track of their own on my layout.
Dennis

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Posted by lionelsuperotrack on Sunday, June 25, 2006 1:09 PM
It is funny how Marx seems to grow on us. I did not get interested until long after I was into trains. One could not get away from Marx! It was always around. Hard to find a layout without something Marx whether it be a bridge, light tower, signal or..................I enjoyed seeing the Marx 666 pulling the Lionel cars on the layout in CTT.

Very best, Mike
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 25, 2006 1:34 PM
Marx light towers are classics and my favorites as well as the double main street lamposts. I still do not think there are better light towers modern or past. I have installed LEDs in some of mine.

Dale hz
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 25, 2006 2:15 PM
To answer your question, no, I do not own "a" piece of Marx-I own many, many pieces of Marx! Before I ever got a Lionel, the very first O guage trains I had were Marx. I haven't stopped collecting Marx since those early days. I have 6-inch, 7-inch, 3/16" scale, 4-wheel plastic, 8-wheel plastic, Joy Line, Plastimarx (Mexican) and British Marx. Marx is everywhere and as a result, it is probably the brand that I have the most trains of in my collection.
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 25, 2006 6:22 PM
My 1st set was a freight set with the SP 666 loco,Erie flat, Santa Fe stock car, Cities Service tank and an SP caboose. It was an over under figure 8 with cool trestles. I added on an Allstate tank, white PFE reefer and a NYC crane. It all came fron Sears & Roebuck. All I have left is the 666 and tender, stock car, crane and trestles.
I had a gate and crossing light and what I liked best was the copper strip that went over the rail to activate the accessory. A recent article in CTT describes how to do this which I'm goin to do when it's time for accessories.(After Scenery) I guess it's my little tribute to Marx.
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Posted by lionelsuperotrack on Sunday, June 25, 2006 7:44 PM
The 666 you have must have the rubber traction tire to climb up and over the figure 8. Marx is fun, not to serious. Several issues ago CTT had a marvelous article about a "scale" Marx layout. The race track was all too clever.

If you haven't seen this article you gotta dig it out. Magnifico! Marx at its finest in a scale setting.

Very best, Mike

QUOTE: Originally posted by qqqman

My 1st set was a freight set with the SP 666 loco,Erie flat, Santa Fe stock car, Cities Service tank and an SP caboose. It was an over under figure 8 with cool trestles. I added on an Allstate tank, white PFE reefer and a NYC crane. It all came fron Sears & Roebuck. All I have left is the 666 and tender, stock car, crane and trestles.
I had a gate and crossing light and what I liked best was the copper strip that went over the rail to activate the accessory. A recent article in CTT describes how to do this which I'm goin to do when it's time for accessories.(After Scenery) I guess it's my little tribute to Marx.
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Posted by dwiemer on Monday, June 26, 2006 10:11 AM
Mike,
Do you happen to have a diagram of the Marx 2002 handcar? mine is in pieces and I want to restore it. I can probably figure it out, but don't want to hurt anything.
Thanks,
Dennis

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 26, 2006 11:57 AM
What is this spam for an ebay account?
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Posted by cnw1995 on Monday, June 26, 2006 3:12 PM
Marx accessories sure are neat too - wonderfully tinplated and simple - I have their crane that sits over the tracks and the Girard station - did you see the issue of CTT with the article by Roger Carp about the all-Marx layout. It sure was impressive.

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

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Posted by macdannyk1 on Monday, June 26, 2006 9:43 PM
I have some Marx switches and track, but no Marx trains.
Dan Member and Webmaster, Golden State TTOS
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Posted by pbjwilson on Monday, June 26, 2006 10:25 PM
Gotta love Marx

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Posted by thatboy37 on Monday, June 26, 2006 11:22 PM
i dont have any as of now but im sure that later on down the road i will accquire a few pieces myself so dont count me out yet
LIVE LIFE AS IF YOU ONLY HAVE ONE LIFE TO LIVE ! UNTIL NEXT TIME PEACE !!! REGGIE thatboy37@hotmail.com
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Posted by Jumijo on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 5:31 AM
I was going to reply that I don't own any Marx, but after reading several posts about accessories, remembered that I do. I have a rotating beacon, still in it's box, that someone gave us last year. I'd like to get a Marx smoking steamer loco. Affordable and reliable from what I've heard. An antique store near me had a set of tinplate Mark Santa Fe AA deisels. He's asking a ton of money for them, which look banged up. They do have a certain crude charm to them, but I'm no Marx expert, and don't know anyone locally who would be able to tune them up.

Jim

Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale

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Posted by traindaddy1 on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 5:43 AM
I have two hand-operated semaphore signals and a metal tunnel. They fit in just right on the layout.
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Posted by wallyworld on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 9:02 AM
I seem to be one of those who interests in model trains is going in a reverse timeline as well-lately I am actually becoming more interested in the Hafner trains I have and in Marx as well rather than the MTH, etc I own..some of this is due to the appeal of the lithography which seems to be a lost art, as well as the colorful schemes they utilize.
I also appreciate their engineering simplicity. I have to wonder is any of the high tech trains being purchased now will be around in 80-100 years?

Nothing is more fairly distributed than common sense: no one thinks he needs more of it than he already has.

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Posted by Jumijo on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 10:32 AM
To me, the allure of the older Lionels and Max trains are their toy-like appearance. It's just fun to see them running. Who cares if the wheel arrangements aren't correct or if the windows are painted on? They are great old toys and I enjoy them.

What will be running 40, 80 -100 years from now? I will be long dead and gone, so I couldn't care less.

Jim

Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale

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Posted by flyingyankee616 on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 2:24 PM
I have two of each,666 and 1666, both are fun engines. Very easy to run and keep repaired.Thanks
http://www.flyingyankee.com/images/22.jpg
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Posted by lionelsuperotrack on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 8:50 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by dwiemer

Mike,
Do you happen to have a diagram of the Marx 2002 handcar? mine is in pieces and I want to restore it. I can probably figure it out, but don't want to hurt anything.
Thanks,
Dennis

Dennis - Sorry to say I do not, but, if you post this on the Marx Yahoo group I would be surprised if you do not get what you want. It is linked below:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MarxTrain/?yguid=24679421

Very best, Mike
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Posted by lionelsuperotrack on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 8:52 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by cnw1995

Marx accessories sure are neat too - wonderfully tinplated and simple - I have their crane that sits over the tracks and the Girard station - did you see the issue of CTT with the article by Roger Carp about the all-Marx layout. It sure was impressive.


The gentleman who did the layout is a regular attendee at the Marx Show & Tell at York. If you get to York you should come. Marx, Marx and more Marx...............

Very best, Mike
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 11:39 PM
The marx trian that I own is a 0-4-0 steamer with no line markings. The tender is marked PENN CENTRAL. I have 1 New York Central gondola,(new build date 3-51). The last car I have is a PACEMAKER caboose. I also have the original transformer and curved power track.
Lots of fun!!![:D]
Thanks again Dale! Roy_smith@peoplepc.com
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Posted by tintrax on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 12:28 AM
There are Marx trains running in New Zealand too! Both prewar & postwar. I will be running some at a public exhibition here in three months`s time. Did you know that Marx motors were used in other brands? Well, one other brand at least.
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Posted by lionelsuperotrack on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 3:35 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by tintrax

There are Marx trains running in New Zealand too! Both prewar & postwar. I will be running some at a public exhibition here in three months`s time. Did you know that Marx motors were used in other brands? Well, one other brand at least.


A little education please. What other brand used Marx motors?

Thanks, Mike
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Posted by dwiemer on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 5:12 PM
Thanks for the information Mike. I joined the group and posted a question. I am sure I will get more Marx as time goes on.
dennis

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Posted by tintrax on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 10:17 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by lionelsuperotrack

QUOTE: Originally posted by tintrax
Did you know that Marx motors were used in other brands? Well, one other brand at least.


A little education please. What other brand used Marx motors?

Thanks, Mike

Brimtoy in England produced one model type that used a Marx reversing clockwork motor. Some Marx sets were supplied with Brimtoy stations, so there evidenlty was some co-operation between the two companies. Refer Walt Hitsehew`s Marxtin site.
Colin
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 30, 2006 11:51 PM
[:D] Hey Guys and Girls (Yes they are here too!(Thank the Gods!)). This is Roy again, and I wi***o thank everyone who replied to the worth of my MARX trains.
I know the offers were don sight-un-seen, however these trains have become unobtainable!
Let me explain!!!!Please!!!!!!!!!!!
One of my younger relatives,(6 yrs old.) expressed an intrrest in modle railroading!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel in my heart this might be her(!!!!!!!!!)First "toy"train!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks again for the interest and offers!!!!!!!
Perhaps she might want to offer them again(in maybe 15 yrs?) However for now they are locked up waiting!!!!!!!
Many thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!
Roy.
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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 16, 2006 11:12 AM
I am more into Lionel-Kline-Williams but I do have a lot of Marx stuff, both trains and buildings.  For those of you thinking about Marx,... get an engine, clean the wheels and center pickup, and run the little bugger!  They are fun, and in this hi-tech age, can be a reminder of why we got into trains in the first place.  I especially like the whimsical (and very beautiful) lithographed tin trains
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Posted by Dr. John on Saturday, September 16, 2006 2:07 PM

My very first train set was a Marx wind-up tinplate set with two-rail track, circa 1961. In 1965 I received a Marx Allstate set (from Sears by way of Santa Claus Big Smile [:D]). By the beginning of the 70's I was heavily into HO and the old Marx stuff was sold in yard sales. Sad [:(]

Recently, I have begun collecting Marx, primarily pre and postwar tin and diecast. I am in the planning stages of a small (4x8 or smaller) layout to run my Marx trains and use my Marx tin stations (Girard, Oak Park, Wheaton and Glendale) and accesories. I still love my Lionel postwar and modern stuff, but once the Marx bug bites, there is no cure!Smile [:)]

Here's a few items from my Marx collection:

A custom painted 1666 with brass trim:

A Girard station:

An Oak Park station (somewhat harder to find):

and a Wheaton commuter station (pretty hard to find!):

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