LOUIS MARX first toy train steam engines were made of pressed steel. Some of them bear nameplates and a numbered header board or side identification numbers, however some do not. Most use a flat bladed tongue and slot coupler which is riveted on. Colors, wheels, couplers, drive rods and trim will vary.
Interested in the Marx toy company and its trains ?
MARX TOYS and TRAINS STORY
This is just a short guide to help you figure out what Marx train steam engine you generally might have and the year of production.
+ THE COMMODORE VANDERBILT
UNNUMBERED SOME MAY HAVE NAMEPLATES
Early versions may have name rubber stamped on sides.
BUILT 1934 THROUGH 1950
Model Numbers 232 (Clockwork), 597 (Electrical)
+ MARX THE MERCURY
MORE PHOTOS CLICK: MarX the Mercury
UNNUMBERED ALL HAVE NAMEPLATES
BUILT 1938 THROUGH 1952
Model Number 635 (Clockwork or Electric)
+ THE MARX 897- LITHOGRAPHED
Has numberboard
LITHOED NUMBER ON SIDES
BLACK OR MILITARY GREEN
1946 THROUGH 1952
+ THE MARX 898 - UNLITHOGRAPHED
898 all black, has numberboard
AKA 833 IS WINDUP UNNUMBERED
WITH LESS TRIM
SAME BODY STYLE AS 897 & 898
+ THE 591 STEAMER
BUILT 1950 TO 1960
SIMULATED SIDE TRUCKS FRT&RR
Model Number 591 Electric or Mechanical basic
592 aka number for 591 with handrails &siderods
593 alt. number later used by MarX - Electric
595 number used 1959-60 Electric
All use same body style, trim differs, shiny or dull finish, unnumbered
+THE LONG 994 STEAMER
1950 thru 1960
Usually unnumbered but a few had 994 decal under cab window
LONGEST BODY of all, SIMULATED SIDE TRUCKS FRT&RR
994 Basic model number - Electric or windup -
shiny or dull finish
995 usually used for the Red NKP Electric Loco
734 used for the Mickey Mouse windup train engine
735 alt. number used on a few early electrical models
+ THE CANADIAN PACIFIC
Model Numbers Include 235 (Clockwork) or 3000 (Windup) , 391, 396, 397, 500, 494, 495, 3000 Electric
1936 THRU 1952
494 -495
494 is usually used 1939-1941
495 is used for 1939 lettered MARLINES and 1946-1952
Black or Red boilers are possible
391
Same body style used for 396 and 397
1938-1942
396 - 397
Black or copper, brass boilers are popular colors
Same 391 body style
1939-1942
3000
Body & sideboard colors vary: gray boiler is popular color
Windup 1936-1939 aka 235
Electric 1939-1952
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