The Old Reliable 999 MarX Die-Cast Steam Locomotive

The first diecast locomotive made by Marx was the 999. Designed in early 1941, it was sold in limited numbers in 3/16 scale sets in 1942. Being 1.75 pounds and 8.5 inches in length, with a 2-4-2 wheel arrangement, it was quite a nice piece. It was built to be an economic SCALE version toy train for the working class American family. It was well on its way into every household, however, WWII began at about this time and production had to cease for wartime efforts. The 999 would not be mass marketed until after 1945.

This first of the die-cast engines was quite a leap for Marx. This was the primary attempt for greater detail as compared with the former pressed steel locos. And more would follow ! Marx used the same time tested motor and flat pick-up shoe design for the 999 as previously used on stamped steel locos, Vanderbilts and CPs. The Marx exclusive twist forked coupler design was also first used on the scale design cars. Lithography and some embossing, and railing was used on the scale cars to provide a more realistic appeal. Marx trains had to be reliable and cost effective. That is what made MarX toys successful!

The earliest of these engines is the open spoke pilot version which was electric, but surprisingly a few windup 0-4-0 versions were made and numbered 666. These early models were heavy and in the hands of children, were often dropped. This fall and heavy mass of the engine tended to break the spoked pilot off. So the engine was redesigned with a closed spoke pilot. It appears that there must have been a problem with the pilot casting or catcher getting easily bent, so around 1947 a flat pilot or cowcatcher with a fuller thickness was finally settled on. There are two versions of this pilot: one with rivets on a flat pilot and a 1950's version with bars(ribs) and rivets.

The very last USA version has the Marx emblem moved from the boiler to the cab side and the double reduction motor is now the choice for power.

MarX obviously moved the 999 mold to his Mexico plant during the latter 50's when plastic trains became popular, because there exists the Marx Mexican version of this loco both diecast and plastic and scale type cars too. There is no Marx emblem on the boiler or cab side on these. The plastimarx brand would be used for the Mexican market.

Overall, this was quite a successful engine for Marx sales as these are still quite abundant, considering they have not been made for 60 years. (And most all of them still run!)

For a brief history of Marx trains see:

Louis Marx Toys and Trains Brief History

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