Last Updated on March 31, 2024 by Dave Farquhar
Marx train set 50875 is very similar to some variants of another set, 52875, and set 50885. But it has a distinct number on the box, so let’s walk through set 50875, which featured a 2-4-2 steam locomotive with a slopeback tender pulling three freight cars and a caboose.
Marx 50875 UP steam freight set
The Marx 50875 freight set feature an engine and caboose lettered for Union Pacific, which gave the set local appeal west of Chicago. All of the cars have plastic tilt couplers on 8-wheel trucks. The box contained the following:
- Marx 1666 plastic 2-4-2 steam locomotive
- Unnumbered UP black plastic slopeback tender (catalog number is 961)
- 51110 tuscan brown Southern auto carrier with four automobiles
- 51170 blue Erie gondola
- 43461 white PFE refrigerator car
- 3900 orange UP caboose
- 8 027 curved track sections
- 2 O27 straight track sections
- Bottle of smoke fluid
- 1209 or 1249 50-watt transformer
Oddly, the box pictures a 666 2-4-2 diecast locomotive, which can lead to confusion. But this set did indeed ship with the later 1666 plastic 2-4-2 steam locomotive. So if you find one of these sets with the engine missing and want to complete it, the 1666 is the engine that goes in the box.
The difference between set 50875 and 50885, besides one digit, is the transformer. The higher-numbered set 50885 came with a 1239 transformer, rather than a 1209 or 1249 transformer. My understanding is that after 1955, Marx liked to give retailers exclusives, but “exclusive” didn’t mean some other retailer hadn’t carried a very similar set in a different year. This explains the similarities to set 50885 and 52875.
Anecdotally, I’ve heard this set dates to 1965. That’s entirely possible, as everything in this set was available that year. But I haven’t been able to find an ad or catalog listing proving that specific year one way or another.
If you have one of these sets and you’d like to see it running again, I don’t blame you. Here’s some advice on setting up a Marx train set. I also have some tips on servicing the locomotive and the model 1209 transformer.
Value
I frequently get questions about the value of Marx train sets. Boxed with all the major parts and in reasonable condition, I usually see this set sell for between $85 and $100. The toughest part of the set to find is the four automobiles for the auto carrier.
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.