LOUIS MARX first toy train steam engines were made of pressed steel. Some of them bear nameplates and a numbered header board or side identification numbers, however some do not. Most use a flat bladed tongue and slot coupler which is riveted on. Colors, wheels, couplers, drive rods and trim will vary.

Interested in the Marx toy company and its trains ?

MARX TOYS and TRAINS STORY

This is just a short guide to help you figure out what Marx  train steam engine you generally might have.

 

+ THE COMMODORE VANDERBILT

  UNNUMBERED SOME MAY HAVE NAMEPLATES

    Early versions may have name rubber stamped on sides.

  BUILT 1934 THROUGH 1950

  Model Numbers 232 (Clockwork), 597 (Electrical)

   

+ THE MARX MERCURY

  UNNUMBERED ALL HAVE NAMEPLATES

  BUILT 1938 THROUGH 1952

  Model Number 635 (Clockwork or Electric)

+  THE  MARX 897- LITHOGRAPHED

  Has numberboard

  LITHOED NUMBER ON SIDE

 1946 THROUGH 1952

 

+ THE MARX 898 - UNLITHOGRAPHED

          898 all black, has numberboard

      AKA 833  IS UNNUMBERED WITH LESS TRIM

           SAME BODY STYLE AS 897

 

 
+ THE 591 STEAMER

  BUILT 1950 TO 1960

  SIMULATED SIDE TRUCKS FRT&RR

   Model Numbers 591,592, 593, 595 (Mechanical or Electric) 

   All use same body style, trim differs, shiny or dull finish, unnumbered

 

+THE LONG 994 STEAMER

  1950 thru 1960

  LONGEST BODY of all, SIMULATED SIDE TRUCKS FRT&RR

  Electric or windup AKA 995, 734 (mickey Mouse), 735

  shiny or dull finish

+ THE CANADIAN PACIFIC

  Model Numbers Include 235 (Clockwork), 391, 396, 397,  500, 494, 495, 3000(Electrics), 3000 Windup

1936 THRU 1952

     494 -495

      Black or Red boilers are possible.

      391

           Same body style used for 396 and 397

     396  - 397

          Black or copper, brass boilers are popular colors.
            Same 391 body style.

     3000

         Body & sideboard colors vary: gray boiler is popular color.

     500 is same style as 3000 BUT an all ARMY GREEN version

  See more details of the Canadian Pacific here >

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