THE MIGHTY MARX 400 STEAMERS

A highly produced series of Marx Toy Company steam engines is the mighty 400 series. An average of 300,000 sets per year was made by Marx in the 1950's. Usually an unconsidered and overlooked plastic toy train, its credentials are quite the opposite and rightfully deserves its moment.  As probably more than half of the late model sets were powered by a 400 series locomotive.

                  4041 STEAM SET

 These engines were used in every way: from windups, to battery power, to electrical power. They were the 0-4-0 series of Marx production. No leading or trailing trucks used here. Keeping the price of Marx sets low and reliable was the main concern; those extra wheels caused derailments and extra cost of production, so they were "streamlined" for efficiency. Some of these engines were quite powerful too when combined with the double reduction motor and light body.

               490 Electric

             400 Electric

And what about the mechanical powered locos??  

Well...., they could smoke white "steam", just like the "big boys"! Or should we say, puffed baking soda with an ingenious puffing rubber bulb system powered by the movement of the drive wheels. Neat huh! 

And to top it off, there was that ringing bell. Now wheres that coming from? Yes, most Marx windups included an ingenious ringing bell under the shell!

"Click clack, click clack", what? sounds like train wheels on the track !  Yes, some electrics featured it, and it was also powered by wheel action tapping a flexible brass strip.

And what is left? How about a whistle...well, that most likely would have been mechanical too, but this one would fit in your pocket.

So now we have all the features of the high priced alternative brands, but at a fraction of the cost!

         A Louis Marx Two-Tone Whistle

And did you know what powered many of those late model Army Trains with military loads???.....the Olive Drab 400 of course!

      400 Powered Olive Drab Army Train

 Yeah this one could pull those cars right off the track, when full throttled....now that's what I call fun!

400 Engine Used 1952-1975

About 9 inch in length, 3 inch tall, a lot of detail. large window shade, horn in front of stack, straight drive rods, numberboard and cab sides numbered

      SMOKIN 400 SET   

Okay, this is a wind-up. Features 2 rail track, metal cars, square type key, pasteboard box and that puffer bulb.

490 Engine Used 1962-1975

About 9.25 in length, 3 inch tall, good detail, usually has angled drive rods, horn in front of stack, small window shade with slightly wider cab roof, numbered numberboard and cab sides

And don't forget what powered one of the most desirable postwar sets....THE ALLEGHENY.  You guessed it, the 490.

COLOR IS USUALLY BLACK AND A FEW GRAY 490

SOME UNITS FEATURED A WHITE STRIPE DOWN THE SIDE, ALL HAD THE NUMBER EXTRUDED UNDER THE CAB WINDOW.

Many Marx electric trains were lighted and reversible, and came in card board boxes.

401 Engine Used 1962-1975

About 9.5 inch long, 3+ inches tall, larger, wider cab yet and double sized window with long small shade, no horn, less detail, straight drive rods or without, and numberless sides and number board

    HIGH EFFICIENCY 401 WINDUP SET

              with ringing bell

       401 BATTERY POWERED

   198  Engine  1949-1962

 I am including a picture of a 198 engine with cars, because I think this was the first plastic set engine designed by MarX early in 1949.

    AN AFFORDABLE TOY TRAIN SET FOR EVERY HOUSEHOLD WAS THIS MARX'S THEORY