What Are Marx Trains?: An Introduction 

I have a Marx stream engine number 333 New York Central… I picked it up at a yard sale for $20.00 bought it home and cleaned and oiled as well… Runs very well and smokes too… Really cool

Fun video Mike! I've still got my Marx "William Crooks" 4-4-0 steam engine I got for Christmas in 1960 whne I was seven years old. It came out of a "Tales Of Wells Fargo" set (Remember the TV series?) and it still works! The rest of the set disppeared over the decades but the engine and two cars remain. AND the headlight and smoke unit still work as well! I'll give it a few laps on the layout once in a while but in deference to its age I keep the running conservative. It's been said: "Joshua Lionel Cowan made electric trains desireable but Louis Marx made them affordable!" There's quite a bit of truth in that! And in a real sense it's still true, vintage Marx trains are still quite affordable and a good entry-level to the O Gauge hobby. A very Happy New Year to you and yours Mike!

My parents got me a Marx, steam engine trainset, when I was small (7-1968). My dad made a figure '8' layout with the station, people, billboards, and telephone poles. I has 5 other freight cars, besides the engine, and tender. The reason I say has, because I still have them. Not the tracks, or transformer, but the rolling stock.

I have a restored Marx 3000 Canadian Pacific steam engine that looks and runs like new. I acquired a set of 9152 New Marx matching CP passenger trains. This consist is quite a hit at our club functions when people bring their newest high-dollar locomotives with all the latest features. It just looks nostalgic when seen running the track. I see Marx trains at shows for a fraction of Lionel. Either people don't know about them or they don't appreciate their obvious toy-like appearance. Marx outsold Lionel most years, and was the reason many kids from lower income households ever got an electric train. Thanks for this informative and entertaining video, Mike. I enjoyed it immensely.

I started off with Lionel and came across a few Marx sets when buying trains from others. I have grown to appreciate their simplicity. Usually I can pick these sets up for under $50. Makes me sad people would rather spend $50 on a crappy chinese Amazon train when these Marx trains are built like tanks and will out live you with simple maintenance and cleaning. Wish you and your family the best , thanks for sharing!

I got into Marx almost by accident. I saw a whole box of them at an antique store for $30. When I got home and did some research, I found out I had bought a Marx 1829 and a whole bunch of neat Marx stuff. I serviced the loco, and it ran excellently. I brought it to college to run around my little Christmas tree, which made all of my dorm mates a bit jealous.

These are all seriously overlooked by people just because they aren't lionel. They are a really, really great budget solution for getting running units at a low price. Thanks!

Although, I'm a dedicated classic Lionel fan...1925-1955, I added a Marx consist to the collection. It has a plastic loop track layout, a smaller 0-4-0 plastic shell steamer and tender; a gondola; box car; and the typical "little red caboose". These cars are of the 4-wheel, false frame truck design, with the stamped steel slot and tab couplers. The motive power of the loco is a key-wound spring motor...the set is in mint condition and works very well. It is from the early 1970's. Found it at an estate sale a couple of years ago. As a child, I had several Marx (Mar) trucks and autos. Louis Marx reminded me of the Henry Ford of the toy world...simple, but well constructed and fun to play with, plus easy on the Christmas budget, important to Santa (mom and dad)!

Thanks Mike, great information. My first set as a kid was a deluxe Marx freight set with the 666. Even though it was a hand me down from my older brothers, you would have thought otherwise the way I treasured it. I still have it going on 70 years later. I, too, share your compassion for the Marx models. I went down the rabbit hole, trying to collect every model Marx ever made and in the process I have a good collection of the tin cars with the scale B trucks. I'm currently on a quest to collect the versions of the K-line switchers based off of the 1998 Marx mold. I had an opertunity to pickup, in great condition, the Milwaukee Road model, but like a dummy, I thought it would come down in price due to seemingly lack of interest. It didn't hit me until later that you don't see that model come up that often or ever. Still kicking myself over that one. Happy rails, and have a great new year.

Marx was better than most people think. Ever notice how, on Marx track, the end ties are offset from the edge somewhat? Well, add some spare ties, make a total of seven ties per section, and the tie spacing between sections becomes quite even. And, notice Marx tends to use prototypical car numbers? That large tin litho F unit has a cab number of 21, corresponding to a real ATSF F unit. On that note, they had some true artists doing their litho work. As much as I can appreciate realism and details, that litho work, especially on the 6" "Breadloaf" cars has a certain charm and beauty to it.

My Marx train set from the 1950's long gone, however my Marx accessories, whistling station, flashing crossing signal, & bell ringing crossing signal STILL WORKS TO THIS DAY !!!

Another enjoyable, informative vid! Hope you have a great new year! God bless Mike.

Excellent video. I possess both Lionel and Marx trains and accessories. One layout is for Lionel and one for Marx since the Marx trains don't run very well over the Lionel switches. The Marx locomotives are simple and easy to work on. Marx made some great accessories, too. Your videos are packed with facts and tips that are greatly appreciated.😎🚂🚃🚃🚃✝

I have my late uncle's Marx 999 steam set that he got for Christmas in 1948. The pinion gear on the motor was worn out when I received it back in 2015. After a bit of searching, I found a double reduction gear motor to swap into it. The connecting rods on the donor were different. The crankpins on these are peened over and the rods are not made to be removable. I was able to work the peening back with pliers to swap the rods, and then re-peen the crankpin. I lubed and cleaned the entire set and the train ran for the first time in decades at our recent family Christmas get-together.

I received a Marx B&O 62 diesel set as a high school graduation gift from my aunt. Since then I've almost accidentally become a Marx collector lol. They're so simple but so charming not to mention drop dead reliable. I later acquired my other aunt's Santa Fe El Capitan set and was able to get it running after a bit of oil and a good cleaning. Keep in mind, it hadn't been run in 60 years and was wet at some point. You really can't keep these trains down! Excellent run down btw. I should mention that some tilt couplers lack the slot for the tab-n-slot style couplers, why they did that I have no idea.

Excellent video, Mike! For years, I overlooked Marx items at flea markets and train shows. Not anymore. I purchased a Marx 666 complete train set at a local church flea market for $17, and after a complete cleaning/lubricating session, am amazed at how wonderfully it runs. Louis Marx is the Henry Ford of the toy train world, for he made available good quality products at an affordable price, for thousands of children through the decades. I have a newfound appreciation for Marx trains. Thanks again! 🚂

The 999 was my introduction into toy trains. I still have it but the 2019 E8 Lackawanna runs around the tree, basically the room, now. I hope this enjoyment rubs off on my children. I have enjoyed your videos for over a year now. Have a Happy New Year and keep up the great work.

Thankful to find your video. I've recently pulled out my 1960's Sears Marx Allstate 666 and started it up again for my grandson.

Great video! My father grew up with Marx trains and collects them today. Two things I would have added to the video were how some Marx 666 steam locomotives had smoke coming out of the sides, which I think is pretty cool. Also, I would have mentioned the Marx uncupling track section, how they work and how trainsthat were not made by marx may or maynot go through them. All in all, great video, and I hope you talk more about Marx in the future.

After nearly 30 or so years, I got back into trains. The first train I ever had was an old, hand me down Marx set at the tender age of 5. Some of my best memories of spending time with my dad revolves around this set. Now, I have a wind up Marx set that I got off ebay. I love it! Marx made great toys, and these are no exception, even after all these years. I hope to start into electric at some point. Love your vid! best of luck to you!

Great video! The Marx single-reduction drives are compatible with Lionel 1121 o-27 switches and you're right, the 21 is gorgeous. 😁👍

I have one of the B&O tin A-A diesels, and aside from a dent on one cab roof, I've done absolutely nothing to it aside from adding fresh oil, and it runs a treat, though I've had to free up the wheels on its tin freight cars because the loco has very little weight and can sometimes be stopped by "Kidd Friction" even with just three cars. My favorite Marx loco I've ever operated was a 333 Pacific. Something about the smaller size feels more "right" somehow, and I think the locos coexist nicely with Lionel trains of the era to add some variety. That 3D printed coupler attachment is genius!

Great video.

Great video! I enjoy switching off between running Marx and Lionel engines and rolling stock. For Marx, I started out with just my uncle's 1930's lithograph set, but now I have much more, picked up at cheaper than Lionel prices. Like you mentioned, their smoke units are amazing.

Thank you, Sir! The mention and photos of the Marx '4-Power-wheels-w/4-Swiveling-wheels' Diesel drive have given me a possible solution to my need for some 'Actually-a-4-wheel-but-looks-like-6-wheel' HD freight truck for some custom cars.

Marx guy here, my Dad was a Lionel man but I was bit by the Marx Bug thanks to Benz Trainz. Tin is my passion and Marx has plenty of, though I would like to purchase at least one pre- S type Flyer locomotive to run on the three rails. LOVE THIS VIDEO.

My first o scale stuff was two Marx sets I found at our local antique store a few years ago, I took one of the locos to a hobby shop for repairs and the guy in the store kept saying I’d be able to get good money reselling it. Needless to say I’m still running it! 😂

After my dad passed, I aquired all of his trains. As for rolling stock, my dad had pretty much stuck with Lionel. However, quite a few of the accessories that he bought were Marx. Marx did make some interesting accessories that fit in well with the Lionel items. Great video on the Marx items.

I’ve never heard of Marx trains so this is a nice history video on the company

My first Marx train is what I called my “Wind up train.” The loco was a minimally detailed steam engine. It was wind by a square metal “T” shaped key. The cars were all tinplate. A tender, an NY Central stock car, and a deep red caboose. My 2nd was a “hand me down” electric train set. A heavy, cast loco and tender. A brown PRR box car with sliding doors, a Lehigh really detailed hopper with opening gates. An amazingly detailed silver Gulf tanker and some more. The train was pushed by around by hand. When I finally got a transformer, I tried it out and stripped half the teeth of one of the gears. around our “Layout.” I got hold of a met up the track an wires

Still have my Marx 999 set and also Marx 1666 set both still run fantastic.

Marx plastic cars can be made compatible with Lionel or K-Line cars, simply by adding a Lionel magnetic coupler attached to the wheels. Most commonly, they are attached to truck facing away from the Marx coupler, thereby creating an idler car. Just swivel the truck to the desired coupler. Quick and easy!

I currently have my father’s original Marx 999 and with minor annual maintenance it’s a strong runner. It runs on it own loop of track due to the ”big” wheels derailing on all my switches. Great video. Thank You for the info. Happy New Year everyone.

Good video, good info. Marx made an interesting variety of trains and toys that were relatively inexpensive, reliable and with great play value!

Enjoy my Marx 666 steamer with double reduction motor and side smoker. Side smokers are really cool, wish more steamers had that feature.

I have one of those Marx Alco Switchers! When I got it, it ran great, but the shell was destroyed and the "fork" couplers on the ends were broken off. Fast forward a few years and searching eBay I found a reproduction K-Line shell and the tooling was still nearly identical, so it works on the original Marx Chassis! I eventually modified the inner bogeys to use Lionel (Non-operating) Plastic knuckle couplers, and it works like a dream. Goes to show that Marx made fantastic drives.

Just restored a marx 333 and it turned out beautifully! Even found a 999 set all complete a few years back. I like lionel post and pre war but marx has its charm just like american flyer

High quality toy trains and accessories that still can be purchased for reasonable prices. I never had any issues with any of them, metal or plastic. Even the older Joy Lines ones still run fine even though their colors show their age. The gem of my collection is the 'Easter Bunny Express'. It still runs like a champ even after almost 90 years.Of course I take very good care of it!

Nice to see some love for the Marx trains. They are plentiful, cheap and a great train to learn basic repair or customization on. I have been slowly acquiring each of the locomotives and bringing them back to life. I have several 999's and a 1666 that get run regularly. Still looking for a side smoker but prices have gone off the scale recently. It's more about the hunt anyway. The tin cars can be soothing to watch and listen to as they run around the track. Reference material is the big challenge with these since even the old Greenberg's guide go for a premium.

Economical and rugged…two wonderful qualities in all Marx products. Long live Marx! 🚂🇺🇸😊

I enjoy Marx trains. I found out the hard way about the fat wheels. The 999 has them, as does the large, lithographed diesels. The plastic E's have the wheels that will traverse non-Marx switches, as does the 333. I still run the fat-wheel engines on a single loop with no switches. They are always fun to run.

Hi, as always great video. I run and am building a toy train layout. It is far from scale but it gives me great pleasure. As for Marx they are really great toy trains. As simple as they are they look great and run great. I buy most of mine on E-bay and having done so for a long time, I will say the prices have gone up quit a bit. Far less the Lionel or MTH but going up none the less. It is really too bad Quaker Oats gave up on Marx as I fully believe there is still a market for budget price 'toy trains'. Keep up the fine work and thank you so much.

I have a mix of Lionel and marx steam locomotives like the Lionel 1666 and the marx 9999 locomotives

Nice, video. Marx is one of those things I've heard about, but don't know anything about really.

Marx trains was for kids n 1940's - 1950's+ american flyer and lionel were usually bought by people having more money.to spend but for the time period..they ran well..they came after the engines that used a metal key to turn so they could run

I have the same Penn Central set used in the video it runs like a champ just as good as my Postwar Hudsons. Even thought Marx was low price point set the value was a good motor design.

I do know about the Marx trains, but I really don’t have a part in collecting their trains as the only form of Marx items I have are Hanna Barbera items mainly. The use of the tin litho cars and the low quality train production continuing after the Great Depression is mainly my reason why I don’t really pay attention towards the Marx trains.

Marx greatest trains and highly overlooked but I bought quite a few luv em! 3/16th scale and deluxe are about the best! And don't forget their HO line! Collector and Fan! Thank You Happy New Year too!

My parents made the mistake of giving me a Marx mechanical train set marketed by Sears for Christmas in 1958 and it's been down hill ever since.

Well done, thank you. Rick Mansberger HighPointe Station Marx USA

Don't forget that Marx also made 'HO' scale sets too, You forgot to mention that in your video.

I got into the O scale World with marx. They were cheap and affordable and really reliable My first was the Marx 490 set. And later got the 999 and 666

I have a 490 and 666. the 666 feels like a weapon when in-hand, but it happily pulls my 4 Marx freight cars

Great video! I have an M10000 and tin SP 6100 set. The single reduction sure surprised me when I first experienced it on a fastrack turnout😂 Also just realized Lionel and Marx both made locomotives numbered 1666. Always assumed they wouldn't do that. Are you aware of a type of cross reference or compatibility list to swap single reduction for double? It would be nice to not dedicate a loop for Marx single reduction units.

Hello, say the electric motor, and the wind-up motor looks similar? Can one switch out a wind-up for an electric motor?

Great vid. Now anything on Marx wind up's?

I have some Marx trains that was given to me by a friend of mine I have 3 steam locomotives 1666,666,666 plus Marx metal train set lettered for SP

Marx #21 diesels were patterned after EMD FT locomotives.

Hi are the E7 penn Central engines hard to find

the Marx metal santa fe is a FT NOT F3!

Ironically 'K' Line itself would be taken over by Lionel.

The AK-47 of toy trains.

I have a Marx 898 engine with NYC tender, dome tanker and a 556 caboose.. it's for sale if anyone is interested..?