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Sakai trains: The “Japanese Marx”

Dave Farquhar Toy trains March 21, 2016October 2, 20181:64 scale, 1950s, american flyer, Australia, HO, Japan, lionel, Lionel 675, marx, New York, New York Central, o gauge, o27, sakai, tin

Sakai trains were made in HO and O gauge by a Tokyo-based manufacturer and sold abroad, particularly in the United States and Australia after World War II. Sakai’s O gauge product bore a curious resemblance to Marx. I have read speculation that Marx once used Sakai as a subcontractor, and Sakai used the tooling to make its own trains rather than returning it to Marx, but there are enough differences that I don’t think that’s the case.

What I do know is that Sakai’s O gauge product was a curious blend of cues from Lionel and Marx and the trains worked pretty well. They’re hard to find today, but not especially valuable since few people know what they are. They turn up on Ebay occasionally.

Estimating the value of a Marx train

Dave Farquhar Toy trains February 23, 2016November 25, 20181950s, american flyer, Baby Boomers, Joy Line, Kansas City, lionel, Louis Marx, marx, marx trains, New York, New York Central, pbs, Quaker Oats, tin, Union Pacific

One of the most frequent questions I see or receive directly about Marx trains is what a Marx train is worth, or the value of a Marx train. Of course without seeing the train, it’s nearly impossible to give a good estimate, but there are some general rules that you can follow, either to protect yourself as a buyer, or to keep your expectations realistic as a seller.

Greenberg Marx errors: The Union Pacific 3824 caboose

Dave Farquhar Toy trains February 8, 2014January 12, 2014greenberg, marx, marx trains, New York, New York Central, NYC, Pocket Price Guide, Spare Parts, Union Pacific

Let’s pick up again with another error in the Greenberg Marx Trains Pocket Price Guide: The UP 3824 6-inch caboose. The guide lists the 3824 as a brown and yellow caboose, available on both a black or brown frame, valued at $20 in good condition and $30 in excellent.

The description is correct, but the price is only half right. Read more

Why do European trains look so much better than U.S. trains?

Dave Farquhar Uncategorized January 24, 2012January 26, 20121950s, Kansas City, KCS, New York, New York Central, Pennsylvania Railroad, Spare Parts, Union Pacific

I guess there’s something floating around Facebook right now comparing sleek, elegant European trains against clunker, junky trains that roam the rails in the United States. I haven’t seen it yet, but I’ve already had some questions about it.

There was a time when U.S. trains were pretty bleak to look at, but that time isn’t now.

Greenberg’s Marx Trains Pocket Price Guide, 9th edition: A review

Dave Farquhar Toy trains November 7, 2011November 25, 2018Classic Toy Trains, commodore, estate sales, greenberg, KCS, lionel, marx, marx trains, New York, New York Central, Pocket Price Guide, reference book, tin, toy train, train show, Veteran Marx, yahoo

I received my copy of the new 9th edition of the Greenberg Pocket Price Guide for Marx trains this past weekend. Marx used to print on its packages, “One of the many Marx toys. Have you all of them?” This book won’t completely answer that question, but at the very least, it gives you a start, and helps you avoid paying too much for the ones you don’t have yet.

Lionel trains at Target, 2006

Dave Farquhar Toy trains October 24, 2006November 25, 20181950s, christmas, lionel, lionel train, New York, New York Central, Pennsylvania Railroad, thomas the tank engine, Union Pacific, yard sale

Lionel sold starter sets at Target in 2006 and again in 2008, though the arrangement only lasted a couple of years. The sets were priced at $249.