Early Windup (235)

The all time most popular MARX steam streamliner is the  Marx Canadian Pacific style locomotive. It was made from 1936 to 1952. An amazing 403,000 plus production units of this design have been documented. However, there were none made from 1942-46, because the War Production Board ceased any manufacturing after June 30, 1942.  But Marx did scrape together 1000 sets from former runs, to sell in 1943. It was the only company to have a new electric train set for Christmas that year!

CP with Arrow Boards (495-Baldwin) 3000 board(494-spoked)

Early production 1936-37, made first as a windup.(The CP actually was released 1936 in Canada for the first run of the Jubilee passenger train.)It was made of all pressed metal with a tinned teardrop stack and dome, 0-4-0 wheel arrangement.

Prewar models having spoked drivers and split pickups on electrics. Most bear the the familiar Black with Red Arrow and Crest  sideboards ( with silver background) and tin dog ear marker lights. Others have the popular 3000  CP side boards. Color schemes varied; black being widely used. Combinations of red, gray, brass, chrome, olive drab, and solid black are possible. Being about 8.5 inches long and weighing around 1.5 lbs it was quite impressive.

 Electric 3000 CP                Deluxe 391 Jubilee F2a

1938 brought about the electric versions. Some now with 2-4-2 wheel arrangements and the F2a Jubilee that sported a 391 numberboard. Coming with 2 round domes, raised round stack and side radiator box with piping. It was really a detailed deluxe model for stamped tin. 

The 500 army train also debuted about this time and had about a five year run. It had the 2 teardrop domes, dog ear markers and no numberplate.  A similar model with the MARLINES name on the familiar black sideboards appeared in 1939 and the Red cab/boiler model too.

Then appearing around 1941 was a design similar to the 391. It was the 396  and the 397 electric models; with 2 round domes, stack and the model number appearing in a white celluloid numberplate on the upper boiler front. The copper/brass boiler was introduced and light blue sideboards appeared on some of these models too. An all Black model was made at this time also!

Postwar models are electric and have Baldwin drivers and 0-4-0 wheel arrangements. No split pickups like early models, only single shoe. and (494/495) without number boards.

Gray 3000 CP                  Marlines CP (no crest)

Over 403,000 of these Canadian Pacific sets were sold. Passenger trains to freighters, 4 wheel to 8 wheel, all produced with highly lithographed detail. The Canadian Pacific Railway, trying to promote itself, helped with some funding to get this design up and running. It was marketed in both the US and Canada and remains a favorite of young and old collectors alike.

            Copper 397 CP                                          CP 500 Military CP

And a well deserved thank you to all the men and women that worked at at the Marx factories that brought us these wonderful toys to enjoy !

Also see:

Modern Marx Canadian Pacific Style Trains

The Toy King Louis Marx