Louis Marx and Co

(200 Fifth Avenue New York NY USA)

Marx Steam Locomotives and Tenders

This page attempts to describe and illustrate the range of steam locos produced by Marx from the Commodore Vanderbilt of the early 1930s through to the plastic series being produced in the 1970s. No attempt has been made to illustrate or describe every variation of each loco - there are far too many. There are three basic methods of build, the pressed steel locos including CV and Mercury, the die cast locos (333, 666 and 999) and the plastic series from the mighty 1829 to the later 198. Where possible, both mechanical (clockwork) and electric models are described. Note that electric, when referring to Marx locos, refers to the traditional AC track powered models as well as those designed for battery packs via track and locos with on board batteries.

The following are the basic models, each of which may have numerous variations including body colour, boiler front, electric or mechanical motors, wheel arrangement, sparklers, smoke units (including puffers), headlights, marker lights, domes, stripes and more.

Some locos have a name, others have a number, either on cab sides or boiler front or both. Some carry neither number nor name. Marx catalog numbers do not necessarily correspond to any number on the model itself.

Pressed Steel Locomotives :

Commodore Vanderbilt 232, 597
Mercury 635, 233
Canadian Pacific, 3000, 391, 396, 397, 494, 495, 500, 235
Mickey Mouse 994, 995, 734, 735
897, 898, 833
591, 592, 593, 595

Die Cast Locomotives :

333
666
999

Plastic locomotives :

400, 401, 843
490
William Crooks 1
198
1666
1829

Marx Commodore Vanderbilt Steam Locomotives

The Commodore Vanderbilt locomotive was the first Marx loco, produced from 1934 until 1950, excluding war years. Constructed of pressed steel, the CV locomotive was available in various colours and detail variations, both mechanical (clockwork) and electic powered, manufactured in USA and Great Britain. Two types of boiler front were utilised, the earlier rounded shape being replaced by a flatter shape circa 1940.

Mechanical (clockwork) locos are catalog number 232, electric locos are catalog number 597

Image of 1934-36 Marx 232 Commodore Vanderbilt loco, black body and boiler front, NYC on nose, no CV name, swing peg coupler on loco, Joy Line coupler on tender. Non original motor

1934-36 Marx 232 Commodore Vanderbilt loco, black body and boiler front, NYC on nose, no CV name, swing peg coupler on loco, Joy Line coupler on tender. Non original motor

Image of 1934-36 Marx 232 Commodore Vanderbilt loco, green body and boiler front, NYC on nose, no CV name, swing peg coupler on loco, Joy Line coupler on tender, die cast spoked driving wheels

1934-36 Marx 232 Commodore Vanderbilt loco, green body and boiler front, NYC on nose, no CV name, swing peg coupler on loco, Joy Line coupler on tender, die cast spoked driving wheels

Image of 1934-36 Marx 232 Commodore Vanderbilt loco, silver body and boiler front, rubber stamped Commodore Vanderbilt on boiler sides and New York Central on tender sides

1934-36 Marx 232 Commodore Vanderbilt loco, silver body and boiler front, rubber stamped Commodore Vanderbilt on boiler sides and New York Central on tender sides

1934-36 Marx 232 Commodore Vanderbilt loco, silver body and boiler front, no nameplate or stamp on boiler sides, Tab and Slot coupler

1934-36 Marx 232 Commodore Vanderbilt loco, silver body and boiler front, no nameplate or stamp on boiler sides, Tab and Slot coupler

Image of c1938 Marx 597 Commodore Vanderbilt loco, red body and boiler front, hooded front light visor, tinned teardrop smokestack and domes, (remains of) red smokestack insert, spoked drivers

c1938 Marx 597 Commodore Vanderbilt loco, red body and boiler front, hooded front light visor, tinned teardrop smokestack and domes, (remains of) red smokestack insert, spoked drivers

Image of c1938 Marx 597 Commodore Vanderbilt loco, black body and boiler front, non hooded front light visor, tinned teardrop smokestack and domes, (remains of) red smokestack insert, spoked drivers, black and white name plates

c1938 Marx 597 Commodore Vanderbilt loco, black body and boiler front, non hooded front light visor, tinned teardrop smokestack and domes, (remains of) red smokestack insert, spoked drivers, black and white name plates

Image of c1938 Marx 597 Commodore Vanderbilt loco, grey body and boiler front, non hooded front light visor, tinned teardrop smokestack and domes, spoked drivers, black on copper name plates

c1938 Marx 597 Commodore Vanderbilt loco, grey body and boiler front, non hooded front light visor, tinned teardrop smokestack and domes, spoked drivers, black on copper name plates

Image of c1938 Marx 597 Commodore Vanderbilt loco, black body, chrome boiler front, non hooded front light visor, tinned teardrop smokestack and domes, spoked drivers, black on copper name plates

c1938 Marx 597 Commodore Vanderbilt loco, black body, chrome boiler front, non hooded front light visor, tinned teardrop smokestack and domes, spoked drivers, black on copper name plates

Image of c1938 Marx 597 Commodore Vanderbilt loco, red body and boiler front, front light visor, tinned teardrop smokestack and domes, spoked drivers, black on copper name plates

c1938 Marx 597 Commodore Vanderbilt loco, red body and boiler front, front light visor, tinned teardrop smokestack and domes, spoked drivers, black on copper name plates

Marx Mercury Steam Locomotives

The Marx Mercury locomotive was produced from 1938 until 1952, catalog number 635 (electric) and 233 (mechanical, clockwork) in a variety of body colours and configurations, some fitted with Talgo pin couplers for articulated trains, others with Tab and Slot couplers. Catalog number suffixes identified models with differences such as whistles and sparklers.

Marx 233 mechanical (clockwork) Mercury locomotive, black, black boiler front, solid headlight, with Tab and Slot coupler

Marx 233 mechanical (clockwork) Mercury locomotive, blue, blue boiler front, solid headlight, with Tab and Slot coupler

Marx 635 pre war electric Mercury locomotive, grey, vertical grill decal, headlight, Talgo pin coupler and articulated tender

Marx 635 post war electric Mercury locomotive, black, copper boiler front, smokestack and domes, headlight, Talgo pin coupler

Marx 635 post war electric Mercury locomotive, red, solid headlight, 6v DC motor for barrety operation, Talgo pin coupler

Marx Canadian Pacific Steam Locomotives

The Marx Canadian Pacific locomotive was produced in a variety of guises, both electric and mechanical (clockwork) from 1936 until 1952, utilising running and catalog numbers 3000, 235, 391, 396, 397, 494, 495 and 500 (military). Sideboards plain or 3000, Marlines and Army Supply Train. Wheel arrangements 2-4-2 and 0-4-0.

Image of 1939-41 Marx (494) 3000 Canadian Pacific 2-4-2 loco and tender. Chrome cab, boiler front and pilot, black boiler, red sideboards, yellow decoration

1939-41 Marx (494) 3000 Canadian Pacific 2-4-2 loco and tender. Chrome cab, boiler front and pilot, black boiler, red sideboards, yellow decoration
Embossed coal pile top red and yellow decorated black tender with Tab and Slot coupler

1939-41 Marx (494) 3000 Canadian Pacific 2-4-2 loco and tender. Chrome cab, boiler front and pilot, black boiler, red sideboards, yellow decoration
Embossed coal pile top red and silver decorated black tender with One Way Auto coupler

Image of 1939-41 Marx (494) 3000 Canadian Pacific 2-4-2 loco and tender. Black cab, boiler front and pilot, grey boiler, red sideboards, yellow decoration

1939-41 Marx (494) 3000 Canadian Pacific 2-4-2 loco and tender. Black cab, boiler front and pilot, grey boiler, red sideboards, yellow decoration
Smooth top red and yellow decorated black tender with One Way Auto coupler

Image of 1939-41 Marx 396 Canadian Pacific 2-4-2 loco and tender. 396 on boiler front, black cab, boiler front and pilot, copper boiler, copper, black and red sideboards, con rod and cross head, spoked wheels, black chimney and domes

1939-41 Marx 396 Canadian Pacific 2-4-2 loco and tender. 396 on boiler front, black cab, boiler front and pilot, copper boiler, copper, black and red sideboards, con rod and cross head, spoked wheels, black chimney and domes

Image of 1939 Marx 494 Canadian Pacific 0-4-0 loco, red cab and boiler, silver and black sideboards, red trim and crest, tinned smokestack, dome, marker lights and boiler front

1939 Marx 494 Canadian Pacific 0-4-0 loco, red cab and boiler, silver and black sideboards, red trim and crest, tinned smokestack, dome, marker lights and boiler front

1946-49 Marx 495 Canadian Pacific 0-4-0 loco, black cab and boiler, silver and black sideboards, Marlines name, tinned boiler front and pilot

Image of 1949-52 Marx 495 Canadian Pacific 0-4-0 loco, black cab and boiler, silver and black sideboards with crest, no Marlines name, tinned boiler front, pilot, smokestack and dome

1949-52 Marx 495 Canadian Pacific 0-4-0 loco, black cab and boiler, silver and black sideboards with crest, no Marlines name, tinned boiler front, pilot, smokestack and dome

Image of 1938-39 Marx electric 500 Canadian Pacific 2-4-2 loco, olive drab cab and boiler, olive and black Army Supply Train 500 sideboards, black boiler front, pilot, smokestack and dome, spoked drivers (traces of red paint added by previous owner), 8 wheeled tender

1938-39 Marx electric 500 Canadian Pacific 2-4-2 loco, olive drab cab and boiler, olive and black Army Supply Train 500 sideboards, black boiler front, pilot, smokestack and dome, spoked drivers (traces of red paint added by previous owner), 8 wheeled tender

1938-39 Marx electric 500 Canadian Pacific 2-4-2 loco, olive drab cab and boiler, olive and black Army Supply Train 500 sideboards, black boiler front, smokestack and dome, olive drab pilot, spoked drivers, 8 wheeled tender

Image of 1938-42 Marx electric 500 Canadian Pacific 0-4-0 loco, olive drab cab and boiler, olive and black Army Supply Train 500 sideboards, black boiler front, smokestack and dome, olive drab pilot, spoked drivers, 4 wheeled tender

1938-42 Marx electric 500 Canadian Pacific 0-4-0 loco, olive drab cab and boiler, olive and black Army Supply Train 500 sideboards, black boiler front, smokestack and dome, olive drab pilot, spoked drivers, 4 wheeled tender

Marx 734, 735, 994 and 995 Steam Locomotives

The 734, 735, 994 and 995 large pressed steel locomotives were produced as both mechanical (clockwork) and electric models in three colour schemes, Mickey Mouse livery, plain black and plain red, body length 10 1/4 inches. All were 0-4-0, with simulated 2 wheeled leading and trailing trucks.

Marx 734 steam loco, 1950-52, mechanical (clockwork), Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse Meteor livery

Marx 994 steam loco, 0-4-0 black pressed steel body, no number, rivetted boiler front, handrails, side rods, Baldwin drivers

Marx 897 and 898 Steam Locomotives

The electric 897 locomotive was introduced in 1939 followed by the 897 mechanical (clockwork) loco in 1940. Body shells were black with grey and white litho, olive green with black and white litho for Army locos and plain black.

Marx 897 steam loco, 1940, mechanical (clockwork), no headlight lens, siderods, tinned spoked drivers

Image of Marx 897 steam loco, 1939, electric, green marker lights inset in boiler front, siderods, cast spoked drivers, with 4 wheeled NYC wedge tender

Marx 897 steam loco, 1939, electric, green marker lights inset in boiler front, siderods, cast spoked drivers, with 4 wheeled NYC wedge tender

Marx post war 897 steam loco, electric, US Army olive drab with black and white details, ornamental bell, Baldwin drivers

Marx 897 steam loco, mechanical (clockwork), unusual cream, almost yellow details

Marx 898 steam loco, mechanical (clockwork), plain black, no headlight lens, no siderods, handrails, tinned spoked drivers

Marx 898 steam loco, electric, plain black, illuminated head and marker lights, siderods, no handrails, cast spoked drivers, 898 on cabside

Marx 591, 593, 595 Steam Locomotives

Marx 591 0-4-0 steam loco, 1953-57, electric, plain black, plastic boiler front, siderods, handrails, Baldwin drivers

Marx 333 Steam Locomotives

The die cast 333 locomotive was introduced in 1948, with a smoke unit added in 1955. Non smoking 333s lack the awning over cab side windows, the awning being added when the smoking locomotive was introduced, although there was a run of smoking 333s produced in 1955 without cab awnings.

The front wheels and flanges were smaller on earlier locomotives, and slightly more prone to derailment. Later locos had the front truck wheels and flanges increased in size, to cure the problem. Note that motors with and without smoke units are not interchangeable, and a 333 motor will not fit a plastic 1829 body, and vice versa.

Original individual sale box for Marx 333 electric steam loco, 4-6-2, cast body

Marx 333 electric steam loco, 4-6-2, cast body, non smoking, with cast NYC 8 wheeled tender, metal tilt coupler

Image of Underside of Marx 333 loco with smoke unit. The silver bar running crosswise, directly in front of the driving wheels, is activated by the linkage to move back and forth during motion of the loco, to operate the smoke unit pump

Underside of Marx 333 loco with smoke unit. The silver bar running crosswise, directly in front of the driving wheels, is activated by the linkage to move back and forth during motion of the loco, to operate the smoke unit pump

Marx cast 333 locomotive, showing cab detail with awning over side cab window, indicating smoke unit fitted

Marx 666 Steam Locomotives

Image of Marx 666 steam loco, 0-4-0, mechanical (clockwork), with side rods and NYC tender

Marx 666 steam loco, 0-4-0, mechanical (clockwork), with side rods and NYC tender
Produced 1955, this is the mechanical version of the 999 loco, not the same casting as the electric 666 loco. Uncommon

Marx 666 steam loco, 2-4-2, electric, with headlight and smoke unit, and Southern Pacific tender

Marx 666 olive green steam loco, 2-4-2, electric, with headlight and smoke unit, US Army 8 wheeled tender

Marx 999 Steam Locomotives

The Marx 999 loco is an electric 2-4-2 tender loco (see 666 for mechanical), with various versions available. Baldwin and spoked driving wheels, Marx logo on boiler side or cab side, long or short headlamp housing, open or closed chimney stack, single or double reduction motor and different front pilots including flush rivet, raised rivet, embossed and open spoke.

Marx 999 steam loco, 2-4-2 electric, cast body with raised rivet pilot, Baldwin driving wheels

Marx 999 steam loco, 2-4-2 electric, cast body with Marx loco on cab side, Baldwin driving wheels

Marx 999 steam loco, 2-4-2 electric, cast body with open spoke pilot, spoked driving wheels

Marx William Crooks Steam Locomotives

The plastic bodied William Crooks 4-4-0 locomotive, 1959-62, was moulded in black, powered by either an electric or mechanical (clockwork) motor, with tall or short smoke stack. The 8 wheeled tender, with simulated log pile top, was undecorated plain black, Tales of Wells Fargo or St Paul and Pacific Railroad liveries.

Marx 4-4-0 William Crooks electric locomotive with tall smokestack and whistle, St Paul and Pacific RR tender

Marx 4-4-0 William Crooks electric locomotive with tall smokestack and whistle, (very worn) St Paul and Pacific RR tender

Marx 4-4-0 William Crooks electric locomotive with tall smokestack and whistle, clearly marked St Paul and Pacific RR tender

Marx 4-4-0 William Crooks electric locomotive with tall smokestack, no whistle, (very worn) Tales of Wells Fargo tender

Marx 0-4-0 William Crooks undecorated electric locomotive with short smokestack, St Paul and Pacific RR tender

Marx 1666 Steam Locomotives

The plastic bodied 1666 locomotive was moulded in black, grey and (military) green, as a 2-4-2 or 2-4-0, with an 8 wheeled plastic tender, fitted with a plastic tilt coupler. The loco may be plain or decorated with white painted cabside number and running board, and headlight and smoke unit.

Marx 1666 2-4-2 locomotive in black, with headlight, smoke unit and white highlights to running board and cabside number. Paired with Penn Central slope back tender

Marx 1666 2-4-2 locomotive in black, with headlight. Paired with New York Central slope back tender

Marx 1666 2-4-2 locomotive in grey, with headlight, smoke unit and white highlights to running board and cabside number. Paired with Santa Fe Sound of Power slope back tender