Last Updated on March 30, 2024 by Dave Farquhar
Circa 1958, Marx introduced a steam freight train set, catalog number 4205, that went on to become one of its best sellers. The set remained in production into the 1960s, but with some changes. It provided an introduction to electric trains at an unbeatable price.
Marx train set, catalog# 4205
The Marx 4205 train set was the most basic of electric sets, with an 0-4-0 plastic locomotive pulling a 4-wheel plastic tender, a gondola, and a caboose, for a 4-unit train running on a circle of track. A 25 watt transformer provided power. It had fixed plastic knuckle couplers.
The earlier version consisted of the following:
- 400 steam locomotive 0-4-0, black
- New York Central tender, 4 wheel, black
- Pennsylvania gondola, gray, # 347100
- New York Central caboose, rust or red color
- 309 transformer, 25 watt
- 8 O27 curved sections
This set appeared in the 1958 Allied department store catalog but continued being available in ensuing years. I know of one Marx collector who received one for Christmas 1960.
The later version of the set
The later version of the set dates to the 1960s.
- 490 steam locomotive 0-4-0, black
- New York Central or Southern Pacific tender, 4 wheel, black
- New York Central gondola, blue, # 715100
- New York Central or Southern Pacific caboose, orange
- 309 or 329 transformer, 25 watt
- 8 O27 curved sections
This version of the set could only date back as far as 1962, the year the 490 was introduced. I found an ad from Longs Drugs, a west coast chain of drug stores, offering it for sale in 1965, so I know for certain this later version was available in 1965. Although the image in the ad is clearly a higher-end set, the ad mentioned a specific model number, a rarity. It also proclaimed it as 84 inches of track. That’s the circumference, not the radius or diameter, so don’t get any ideas about Marx O-84 track.
The box art for set 4205 varied. At least three variations of the box art exist. While set 4205 did eventually go to the wayside, Marx sold similarly configured sets right up to the end. Marx’s Rambler set 4336 was also a 4-unit set headed up by a 490 locomotive.
What the Marx 4205 set originally cost
Marx sold many of its toys through discounters, and 4205 set was no exception. The 1965 ad I found stated it retailed for $9.95, and offered it at a special price of $6.99. The retail price of $9.95 translates to $97 in 2023 dollars, so while this was a cheap set, by modern standards, it wasn’t necessarily cheap. The aggressive sales price I found in the ad works out to $68 today.
I also found an ad from 1962 from Bigg and Littel, a retailer in Stockton, California, claiming a retail price of $12.95, offering the set on sale for $8.88. The 1962 ad appears to portray a 490 locomotive. Bigg and Littel also sold the 526 clockwork set.
Marx hoped that purchasers would buy additional track or cars, either at the time of purchase or at a later date. Starter sets like the 4205 were meant to drive future purchases and create a sales funnel.
Marx 4205 set value
This was an entry-level, mass-market train, made and sold in large quantities in discount stores. A Marx 4205 set is worth around $50 today if it’s boxed, reasonably complete, and in reasonably nice shape. A loose set would be worth closer to $25. As I was researching another Marx set, I became aware of someone trying to sell one of these for $4,500.00, but that’s not a realistic price for a 4205.
David Farquhar is a computer security professional, entrepreneur, and author. He started his career as a part-time computer technician in 1994, worked his way up to system administrator by 1997, and has specialized in vulnerability management since 2013. He invests in real estate on the side and his hobbies include O gauge trains, baseball cards, and retro computers and video games. A University of Missouri graduate, he holds CISSP and Security+ certifications. He lives in St. Louis with his family.