Marx Model Railroads & Trains

The Marx toy company specialized in tin lithographed toys. Louis Marx, founder of the company, expanded the company's line to include model trains when he acquired the rights to the Girard Company's Joy Line train sets in 1934. Marx began producing the Girard line under its own name in the mid-'30s. These trains were not scale models, but were O gauge toy train sets that ran on O27 track.

Marx specialized in model train sets that were low in cost to produce and therefore cheaper for consumers. A full Marx model railway could be purchased for the same price as one Lionel train set in the late '30s. Marx controlled cost by limiting the number of accessories that it offered with its sets, although the number available was still considerable. Marx also standardized the electric motor it used in all of its locomotives, which lowered production costs.

After World War II, Marx began producing model trains in plastic using the same standardized Marx motor. Marx continued to produce model trains until the '70s when the company was sold to Quaker Oats. Toy production ended and eventually, Marx assets were liquidated.

Quick Facts

• Marx trains ran on O27 gauge track. This track was redesigned O gauge track, adjusted to accommodate a tighter 27 inch turn. O27 models are a smaller scale than O gauge models to accommodate the tighter turns
• Marx only produced a small core variety of models. One of the reasons was that when Louis Marx requested permission to produce a particular road name, the railroad often requested a few complimentary sets in return. Marx refused because he was too thrifty to give away train sets
• Marx produced a few die-cast locomotives that were more realistic in appearance, although their tinplate model trains were attractive and sturdy