Marx produced a fine line of plastic diesel switcher engines from 1955 to 1975.

There were two basic sizes produced. The earliest was a grand group of Alco S-3 switchers, they were the top of the line model. Being highly detailed and meant to pull heavier 8 wheel deluxe cars. These were called the 1998 switchers, having the number 1998 cast into the body under the cab window. These toy models had an 8 wheel arrangement and cast metal frame, with 4 drive wheels, 2 leading and 2 trailing, with plastic side covers and plastic forked couplers. Some had a diesel "roar" sound feature and a drive wheel with a rubber traction ring. Being about 10 inches long from forked coupler to coupler and weighing about 1.75 pounds. Road names include Union Pacific, AT & Santa Fe, Rock Island and Allstate. Production of these appear to cease in late 1962.

(K-Line had this casting mold and it is currently in production by Lionel.)

These switchers might have been the grander but let's not forget some that were surely a load of fun. Produced around 1958 was a lighter more versatile GE-70 ton switcher. Produced in various colors and road names, with a knuckle or tin hook coupler that usually pulled lighter 4 wheel plastic freight cars. However, they did come with fork couplers sometimes and pulled deluxe cars ( such as the Canaveral set and ICG work train of the GAR series). 

SEE THE GREAT AMERICAN RAILROAD SERIES

These switchers had 4 drive wheels which were hidden by simulated wheel covers cast into the body of the switcher itself. "Built by Marx" is cast right below the front grille. These weighed less than a pound and were about 8 inches long. Road names include Lehigh Valley #112, Western Pacific #702 & 799, New York Central #588, Rock Island #799, Missouri Pacific System #800, also 801 Illinois Central Gulf work train and Cape Canaveral Express #1798 . Produced until the demise of the Marx line.

588 Maroon NEW YORK CENTRAL  

799 Yellow Trim WESTERN PACIFIC

588 Black NYC Switcher

Both models sometimes had a twin dummy unit to accompany it. The smaller 588 NYC was the only one of the GE's that had a dummy unit. The larger had a Union Pacific dummy and the less common Rock Island dummy with black or silver truck covers.

   1798 NASA Canaveral Switcher

 Set # 26750 blt.1959-1960

Playset and Trainset in one!

Metal Buildings, Rockets, Launchers, Figures, Radar

       Sets 7350 & 7365

Some Had Paper NASA Buildings Included

The Canaveral Sets are an especially interesting lot, with their rocket launchers, rocket load gondolas and missile carriers with missile launcher, searchlight cars with generator and rocket fuel work cabooses & tanker cars! And with the large 26750 set you got accessories too. It was a playset and train set in one!

The 588 even pulled a tin 6 inch passenger set sometimes. Set usually consisted of a baggage car, 2 passengers and an observation. Yes, the Marx Switcher was quite versatile !

The Blue 800 Missouri Pacific is my favorite...More information to follow soon. Got to love that old Marx!

Marx may have been affordable...but I would never call them cheap !   I just like Marx too much......