Marx steam freight train set 52875

Marx steam freight train set 52875

There is more than one Marx train set numbered 52875. For some confusing reason, at least four variants of this set, dating to the mid 1960s, exist. All of them are similar in that they feature a 2-4-2 steam locomotive with a slopeback tender pulling three freight cars and a caboose. But the consist varies. And in one case, the locomotive varies.

Read more

When Marx sold trains at Radio Shack: The Hot Shot

When Marx sold trains at Radio Shack: The Hot Shot

Low budget electric trains and Radio Shack don’t necessarily seem like the most obvious pairing. Here’s why Marx and Radio Shack teamed up for an exclusive train set, and why it didn’t go as well as either of them hoped.

The Marx Hot Shot, set number 4378 and Radio Shack Catalog# 60-2106, was part of the Great American Railroads series. It was a Radio Shack exclusive, sold only in 1974.

Read more

Marx 80982 and 30982 Wabash gondola

Marx 80982 and 30982 Wabash gondola

The Marx 30982 and 80982 Wabash gondola is a colorful yellow gondola with lettering for a midwestern railroad. It was part of their short-lived 7-inch line, though it’s easy to convert to a 3/16 car if desired. The 30982 dates to 1949-1954, with the number switching to 80982 from 1955 to 1961. Read more

Marx Happi-Time 9618 train set

Marx Happi-Time 9618 train set

Marx train set 9618 was an electric train set Marx that Sears sold in 1953. But you may also hear collectors refer to it as Happi-Time train set 9618, because that’s what Marx printed on the box.

Read more

Marx Allstate train set 9725

Marx Allstate train set 9725

Marx train set 9725, also known as Allstate train set 9725, was an unassuming low end electric train set Marx produced for Sears starting in 1967.

Read more

Marx Happi-Time 9616 train set

Marx Happi-Time 9616 train set

Marx train set 9616 was an electric train set Marx that Sears sold in 1953 and 1954. But you may also hear collectors refer to it as Happi-Time train set 9616, because that’s what Marx printed on the box.

Read more

Marx 9625 train set

Marx 9625 train set

Marx train set 9625 was an entry-level electric train set Marx that Sears sold in 1952. It was one of the last Marx electric sets to use designs that originated before World War II.

Read more

Marx 36000 C&O gondola

Marx 36000 C&O gondola

The Marx 36000 Chesapeake & Ohio gondola is a somewhat realistic-looking gondola with lettering for a midwestern railroad. It was part of their short-lived 7-inch line, though it’s easy to convert to a 3/16 car if desired. The 36000 dates from 1955 to 1957, making it somewhat more scarce than the Wabash gondola. Read more

Marx Happi-Time 9617 train set

Marx Happi-Time 9617 train set

Marx train set 9617 was an electric train set Marx that Sears sold in 1954. But you may also hear collectors refer to it as Happi-Time train set 9617, because that’s what Marx printed on the box. Collectors call this a transition set.

Read more

Marx 347100 gondola

Marx 347100 gondola

The Marx 347100 gondola is an excellent example of what many hobbyists call a cheap classic. It’s been out of production for decades, but exists in such large quantities that it still remains readily available at low prices.

Read more