y collection started with a BIG RAIL WORK TRAIN set I received as a Christmas present in 1969 when I was six years old. I didn't get additional Marx items as a child. It was only when I reached adulthood that the collection started to grow. Because I had them as a child, big locomotives and the 8-wheel plastic rolling stock with type "G" trucks look "right" to me and my initial efforts concentrated on collecting more of these items. Recently, I have fallen hard for the 6" tin lithographed four-wheel rolling stock and the small sheet metal locomotives. These pieces have a definite charm the larger pieces lack and look better circling my small layout than the bigger plastic pieces do. The following tables include both original Marx pieces as well as custom Marx-based pieces. The codes in the "Set#" column are as follows: brwt1 -- my original 1969 Big Rail Work Train set brwt2 -- Big Rail Work Train set featuring Sound-o-Power 9550 -- #9550 "Marx Steam Type Electric Train" 52875 -- #52875 "Electric Train Set by Marx" Note on indicated dates of manufacture: The years listed in the "Comments" column of the locomotives section are derived from "Greenberg's Pocket Price Guide--Marx Trains". The years listed in the "Comments" column of the 6" tin sections are derived from Walt Hiteshew's excellent "The Definitive Guide to Marx Trains: 6-Inch Tin and Joy Line" CD which is available at Toy and Train Publishing Co. My Collection: Locomotives | Tenders | Passenger Cars | Freight Cars Structures & Trackside Accessories | Track | Transformers

Locomotives -- model numbers in parentheses do not appear on piece (return to top)
Model Number	Item	Color	Set #	Comments
1666	steam locomotive	black	brwt1	2-4-2; smoke; reverse; headlight; plastic
1666	steam locomotive	grey	brwt2	2-4-2; smoke; reverse; headlight; plastic; white walkways and numbers
1666	steam locomotive	black	9550	0-4-0; smoke; plastic
666	steam locomotive	black	52875	2-4-2; smoke; reverse; headlight; die-cast metal; white walkways and numbers (19551)
666	steam locomotive	black		2-4-2; smoke; reverse; headlight; die-cast metal (19551)
400	steam locomotive	black		0-4-0; headlight; plastic (1953-542)
490	steam locomotive	black		0-4-0; plastic; reverse; headlight (1962-75)
490	steam locomotive	black		0-4-0; plastic (1962-75)
490	steam locomotive	black		0-4-0; plastic; runs well but shell is in poor condition (1962-75)
(898)	steam locomotive --custom--	black		0-4-0; painted metal; I have replaced the original (broken) wind-up motor with a reversing, lighted electric motor (wind-up: 1940, 1946-48)
898	steam locomotive	black		0-4-0; painted metal; reverse; headlight; replacement side-marker lights (1946-52)
(635)	steam locomotive	black		MERCURY; 0-4-0; painted metal; wind-up; bell; brass nameplate; replacement handrails & stack (1938-403)
(597)	steam locomotive	black		COMMODORE VANDERBILT; 0-4-0; painted metal; reverse; headlight; brass nameplates; visor over headlight; open stack (1934-52)
(597) before after	steam locomotive --custom--	red/black		COMMODORE VANDERBILT; 0-4-0; painted metal; pre-war motor; reverse; headlight; replacement handrails & nameplates; renovated/custom paint (1934-52)
(494/451/3000)	steam locomotive	black/silver/red		0-4-0; painted metal; reverse; headlight
(494/451/3000)	steam locomotive --custom--	black/silver		0-4-0; painted metal; re-painted but lacking decals; transplanted reversing, lighted motor; photo doesn't show replacement side-marker lights
50	electric --custom--	red/black/cream		electric-profile locomotive; home-made FauxToys-style wrap; non-reversing electric motor
(no number)	trolley --custom--	yellow/red		this is a plastic Dinkyville Trolley body into which a previous owner had installed a Marx non-reversing motor
I am looking for an electric MERCURY. 1 Montgomery-Ward Christmas catalogs included #666 in 1955, 1957-1958, & 1960. 2 Montgomery-Ward Christmas catalogs included electric #400 in 1953, 1955-1958, & 1960. 3 Montgomery-Ward Christmas catalogs included mechanical whistling MERCURY in 1950. Source: "The Toy Train Department, Volume 2"

Tenders -- plastic with eight wheels; tilt couplers unless otherwise noted; model numbers in parentheses do not appear on piece (return to top)
Model Number	Road Name	Color	Set #	Truck Style	Comments
(961)	Penn Central	black	brwt1	type g
(961)	Santa Fe	grey	brwt2	type g	Sound-o-Power (listen)
(961)	Union Pacific	black	52875	type g

Tenders -- plastic with four wheels; knuckle couplers (return to top)
Model Number	Road Name	Color	Set #	Comments
(unknown)	New York Central	black	9550

Tenders -- 6" tin-lithograph with four wheels; tab-and-slot couplers and square-end black frames unless otherwise noted; model numbers in parentheses do not appear on piece (return to top)
Model Number	Road Name	Color	Comments
(951A)	New York Central	black	"wedge" tender; glossy black; Marlines logo; round-end frame (1940-60)
(951A)	New York Central	black	"wedge" tender; matte black; Marlines logo; square-end frame; this is probably a custom since wedge tenders came on round-end frames
551	New York Central	black	coal and water tank details; I've replaced the original knuckle coupler with a tab-and-slot (1954-1955)
(551)	New York Central	black	oil tender; rivets; riveted couplers; white details have yellowed (1937)
(551)	New York Central	black	oil tender; gray stripe; sliding couplers (1950-52)
(551)	New York Central	black	oil tender; silver stripe; riveted couplers (1950-52)
(551)	New York Central	black	oil tender; gold stripe; riveted couplers; the gold is probably a result of yellowed overvarnish (1950-52)
(451A)	Pennysylvania	black	tapered tender; round-end frame (1940-41)
I would like to find a red #551 tender.

Passenger Cars -- 6" tin-lithograph with four wheels, tab-and-slot couplers, and square-end black frames; model numbers in parentheses do not appear on piece (return to top)
Model Number	Item	Car Name	Color	Comments
(557)	Pullman coach	"Montclair"	red; black frame	plain windows; riveted couplers (1946-52)
(557)	Pullman coach	"Bogota"	red; black frame	outlined windows; riveted couplers (1939-42)
1403	baggage car --custom--	"Baggage"	red/black; black frame	FauxToys Railroad Wrap conversion of a Bogota coach; riveted couplers
(no number)	observation --custom--	"Nantucket"	red; black frame	FauxToys Railroad Wrap conversion of a #556 caboose; riveted coupler
I would like to get a Bogota, Montclair, and observation car on square-end red-litho frames.

Freight Cars:

Plastic with Eight Wheels Plastic with Four Wheels 3/16" Scale Tin-Lithograph 6" Tin: Round-End Frames | Square-End Red-Litho Frames | Square-End Black Frames

Freight Cars -- plastic with eight wheels; tilt couplers unless otherwise noted; model numbers in parentheses do not appear on piece (return to top)
Model Number	Item	Road Name	Color	Set #	Truck Style1	Comments
18326	caboose	Penn Central	green	brwt1	type g
(no number)	caboose	Santa Fe	red	brwt2	type g
18326	caboose	New York Central	red		type f
18326	caboose	New York Central	black/white/green		type g	tri-color scheme
3900	caboose	Union Pacific	yellow/black	52875	type g
467110	boxcar	Baltimore & Ohio	red	brwt1	type g
467110	boxcar	Baltimore & Ohio	orange		type g
467110	boxcar	Baltimore & Ohio	blue		type g
34178	boxcar	Great Northern	green	brwt2	type g
43461	boxcar	Southern Pacific	white		type g	"Pacific Fruit Express PFE"
43461	boxcar	Southern Pacific	white	52875	type g	"Pacific Fruit Express PFE"
3280	boxcar	AT&SF	orange		type g	"Santa Fe All the Way"
13975	stock car	AT&SF	brown		type f
51100	auto-carrier	Southern	maroon/grey	52875	type g	with original cars: one yellow, two blue, & one silver
(no number)	log dump car	Erie	black	brwt1	type g	mechanical dump
4528	flat car	Erie	black		type g
(no number)	flat car	Erie	black		type f
5532	gondola	Allstate	blue		type g
347100	gondola	Pennsylvania	grey		type g
347100	gondola	Pennsylvania	red		type g
51170	gondola	Erie	blue		type g	reproduction ends
51170	gondola	Erie	blue	52875	type g
284	tank car	UTLX	silver		type f
9553	tank car		green		type g	"Allstate Motor Oil"
2532	tank car	CSOX	green		type f	"Cities Service"
2532	tank car	CSOX	green		type g	"Cities Service"
X246	tank car		white		type g	"Chemical Rocket Fuel"
1 See Guide to Rolling Stock Trucks for more information about truck styles

Freight Cars -- plastic with four wheels; knuckle couplers; model numbers in parentheses do not appear on piece (return to top)
Model Number	Item	Road Name	Color	Set #	Comments
(no number)	caboose	NYC	red	9550	broken stack
347100	gondola	Pennsylvania	red	9550	one broken coupler
X246	tank car		white	9550	"Chemical Rocket Fuel"

Freight Cars -- 3/16" scale tin-lithograph; model numbers in parentheses do not appear on piece (return to top)
Model Number	Item	Road Name	Color	Truck Style1	Comments
44572	gondola	Chesapeake & Ohio	black	type d
254000	gondola	Baltimore & Ohio	grey	type b
3550	wrecker crane	New York Central	grey	type b
1 See Guide to Rolling Stock Trucks for more information about truck styles

Freight Cars -- 6" tin with four wheels, riveted tab-and-slot couplers, and round-end frames; model numbers in parentheses do not appear on piece (return to top)
Model Number	Item	Road Name	Color	Comments
694	caboose	New York Central	red/black; black frame	two riveted couplers (1936-37)
553	tank	Santa Fe	yellow/black; black frame	"Middle States Oil"; riveted tab-and-slot couplers; replacement wheels & axles (1936-37)
(no number)	flat car --custom--	(none)	red frame	re-paint; this was probably the frame from a 951 wedge tender; shown with Dimestore Dreams X-100 spaceship load
(no number)	flat car --custom--	(none)	black frame	frame from a 951 wedge tender

Freight Cars -- 6" tin with four wheels, riveted tab-and-slot couplers, and square-end red litho frames; model numbers in parentheses do not appear on piece (return to top)
Model Number	Item	Road Name	Color	Comments
556	caboose	New York Central	red/cream	slot under doors (1937-38)
552	gondola	Rock Island	green/red; red trim	"C.R.I. & P."; early cut ends; shown with non-original coal load (1937-38)
552	gondola	Rock Island	green/red; black trim	"C.R.I. & P."; early cut ends (1937-38)
554	hopper	Northern Pacific	dark blue/red	"General Coal Co." (1937-38)
553	tank	Santa Fe	silver	"Middle States Oil; tinned dome and bullet ends (1937-38)
555	refrigerator	Colorado & Southern	yellow/blue	blue door rails; missing one door (1937-38)
(no number)	flat car --custom--	(none)		this car was purchased this way, lacking a body; it makes a pretty flat car (1937-38)

Freight Cars -- 6" tin with four wheels and square-end black frames; tab-and-slot couplers unless otherwise noted; model numbers in parentheses do not appear on piece (return to top)
Model Number	Item	Road Name	Color	Comments
20102	caboose	New York Central	red/cream; black frame	sliding couplers; solid wheels might be replacements (1953-1972)
20102	caboose	New York Central	red/cream; black frame	riveted couplers; frame is replacement (1953-1972)
556	caboose	New York Central	red/cream; black frame	riveted couplers; no logo on side; slot under doors; this car currently sports a "Faux Toys" PRR wrap photo (1937-42)
556	caboose	New York Central	red/cream; black frame	riveted couplers; no logo on side (1937-42)
556	caboose	New York Central	red/cream; black frame	riveted couplers; logo on side (1937-42)
567	side dump	New York Central	yellow/brown; black frame	copper deck; riveted couplers (1939-52)
567	side dump	New York Central	yellow/brown black frame	copper deck; plastic wheels; sliding couplers (1939-52)
738701	hi-side gondola	Pennsylvania	red; black frame	shown with non-original coal load; this car currently sports a "Faux Toys" C&O covered hopper wrap photo (1950-55)
552	gondola	Rock Island	green/red; black frame	"C.R.I. & P."; rolled ends; sliding couplers; shown with non-original load: three wooden oil barrels & paper insert (1938, 1940-42)
552 before after	gondola --custom--	Rock Island	green/red; black frame	rolled ends; riveted couplers; previous owner removed "Rock Island" & "C.R.I. & P" lettering; renovated using a "Faux Toys"-type process (1937-1942)
552	gondola	Rock Island	dark green; blue trim; black frame	"C.R.I. & P."; rolled ends; riveted couplers; shown with non-original load: three wooden oil barrels & paper insert (1946-52)
552	gondola	Rock Island	light green blue trim; black frame	"C.R.I. & P."; rolled ends; riveted couplers; shown with non-original home-made coal load (1946-52)
552	gondola	Rock Island	green/blue; black frame	"C.R.I. & P."; rolled ends; riveted couplers; poorly stamped sideframes; shown with non-original home-made coal load (1946-52)
552	gondola	Rock Island	green/blue; black frame	"C.R.I. & P."; rolled ends; riveted couplers; shown with non-original home-made coal load (1946-52)
241708	gondola	Baltimore & Ohio	yellow/red; black frame	rolled ends; sliding couplers; metal wheels might be replacements; shown with non-original load: oil barrel (1953-1972)
241708	gondola	Baltimore & Ohio	yellow/red; black frame	rolled ends; plastic wheels; sliding couplers; shown with non-original home-made coal load (1953-72)
241708	gondola	Baltimore & Ohio	yellow/grey; black frame	rolled ends; plastic wheels; sliding couplers (1953-72)
91257	gondola	Seaboard	red/black; black frame	rolled ends; plastic wheels; sliding couplers (1958-72)
554A	hopper	Northern Pacific	blue/red; black frame	"General Coal Co."; plastic wheels might be replacements; riveted couplers; shown with non-original coal load (1937-42)
554A	hopper	Northern Pacific	blue/red; black frame	"General Coal Co."; riveted couplers (1937-42)
554	hopper	Northern Pacific	red/yellow; black frame	"General Coal Co."; plastic wheels; sliding couplers (1946-55)
553	tank	Santa Fe	silver; black frame	"Middle States Oil"; riveted couplers; tinned flat ends & dome (1939-52)
553	tank	UTLX	gold; black frame	"Union Tank Car Co."; riveted couplers; this is probably a custom since this car shouldn't have come with riveted couplers
19847	tank	S.D.R.X	black black frame	"Sinclair"; sliding couplers (1955-57)
37965	boxcar	Pennsylvania	red/grey; black frame	"Merchandise Service"; plastic wheels; sliding couplers (1954-55)
384299	boxcar	Baltimore & Ohio	blue; black frame	opening doors; riveted couplers; black door guides; rough (1939-42)
384299	boxcar	Baltimore & Ohio	blue; black frame	opening doors; riveted couplers; black door guides (1939-42)
59	stock car	Union Pacific	brown; black frame	opening doors; riveted couplers; red door guides (1939-52)
555	refrigerator	Colorado & Southern	yellow/blue; black frame	opening doors; riveted couplers; blue door guides (1937-1952)
(663A)	pole car		black; black frame	original clamp & springs; I'm told the poles are original (1937-1952)
(561A)	spotlight car		red; black frame	metal spotlight housing; missing lens (1938-1950)
550	wrecker crane	New York Central	red boom orange cab red deck black frame	riveted couplers; replacement string & home-made hook (1939-52)
(no number)	gondola --custom--	New York Central	red; black frame	maintenance of way gondola; home-made to accompany #550 crane; this can also serve as a wheel car
(no number)	tank --custom--		red; black frame	maintenance of way tank; replaced sliding couplers with riveted
(no number) before	crane tender --custom--	New York Central	????	undergoing renovation/customization; will make custom wrap for application after cutting, painting, and reassembly
(572A)	airplane flat car		black	this car was found hiding under a #20102 caboose body. (1939-42)
(no number)	flat car --custom--		black/brass	this is the frame and deck from a #567 side-dump car; plastic wheels
(no number)	flat car --custom--		black	shown with tin-litho boat load & vintage plastic tractor of unknown provenance; I have several such flats made from otherwise un-restorable cars
(no number)	flat car --custom--		red	custom 2003 Christmas car by Wayne Beachy with new-Marxtrains flat car and Schilling tin truck ornament load
12612	gondola --custom--	NCPX	white; red frame	"North Pole Candy Co." 2002 custom Christmas gondola by Wayne Beachy at RapidRail

Structures and Trackside Accessories -- model numbers in parentheses do not appear on piece (return to top)
Model Number	Item	Color	Set #	Comments
(number?)	six-piece railroad people set	cream		plastic; unpainted; these were purchased recently, but I am fairly sure that these are the same people that came with my 1969 Big Rail Work Train set
151	34 Piece Railroad and Village Construction Set			printed cardboard tab-and-slot buildings; I have two sets: a complete one and a partial one; this item was printed by Jaymar (220 5th Ave, NY) around 1950 and was included with many 4-wheel plastic sets. Research indicates that this item was also packaged with a wind-up set (plastic loco, 6"-tin rolling stock) offered by Montgomery-Wards in 1955. Photos: Shops, sides 1 & 2 | sides 3 & 4 | Firehouse
(2959/2960)	Girard Station			tin lithograph; whistles (listen)
(2959/2960)	Girard Station			tin lithograph; whistles; installed on layout
(number?)	Union Station			tin lithograph; battery-operated whistle functions but button is missing internal parts; missing plastic platform roof
(6104)	station platform	brown, black, and silver	brwt1	plastic
(number?)	girder bridge	silver		metal; "Illinois Central"; 18"
(number?)	truss bridge	blue		metal; "Great Northern"; 12"
(412?)	derrick loader			metal; hook & string not original; missing under-rail pieces; installed on layout
(413a)	switchman's tower			metal; lighted
(1440) closed open	operating crossing shanty			metal & plastic; lighted
(438)	operating crossing gate	black & white		metal; I have two; installed on layout
(317)	manual crossing gate	black & white		metal
(409)	twin light crossing flasher	red & black		"Caution High Speed Trains"; metal; installed on layout
(406)	crossing signal	red, black, & cream		single-lamp; installed on layout
(number?)	crossbuck sign	black & white		metal; I have two
(314)	crossing sign	red		"Caution High Speed Trains"; metal
(311)	semaphore	green, red, & black		manual operation; metal; this appears to be missing a piece; (see here for what I think is a complete 311; photo found on eBay)
(number?)	block signal	red & black
(405)	block signal	black & silver
(number?)	rotating beacon tower	black		plastic; reproduction beacon head
(no number)	newspaper stand	silver	brwt1	plastic
(0605)	dead-end bumper	black		plastic; lighted; installed on layout
(0605)	dead-end bumper	cream	brwt1	plastic; not lighted
(0605)	dead-end bumper	grey		plastic; not lighted
(061)	telephone poles	black/brown	brwt1/brwt2	plastic; I have numerous
(72)	gooseneck lamp post	grey		plastic; I have two; installed on layout
(74)	lamp post	grey		plastic; I have two; installed on layout
(390)	tunnel			tin lithograph; farm scene
(number?)	log dump trigger		brwt1
I would like to get a #1614 dump unit.

Track -- numbers in parentheses do not appear on piece (return to top)
Model Number	Item	Set #	Comments
(1590)	right-hand remote switch		metal; black base & motor housing; I have two--both are on layout
(1585)	remote switch control panel
(608)	right-hand manual switch		metal; black base; I have several; two are on the layout
(609)	left-hand manual switch		metal; black base; I have two
(608)	right-hand manual switch		metal; silver base
(609)	left-hand manual switch		metal; silver base
(640)	right-hand manual switch	brwt1/brwt2	plastic
(1624)	remote uncoupling track	brwt1/brwt2/52875	ramp-style; I have four on the layout

Transformers -- numbers in parentheses do not appear on piece (return to top)
Model Number	Power Rating	Set	Comments
1239	50 watts	brwt2	built-in circuit-breaker; installed on layout to provide power to accessories
1209	50 watts	52875
1209	50 watts	9550
309	25 watts		rusty; test-bench power supply