Whats this worth?

as much as you are willing to pay for it, and as much as they are willing to part with it

Without the orig box, maybe 60-80.00. It is a correct set make up.

Steve

 As stated above, it's worth is what you are willing to pay for it.

prrhorseshoecurve posted:

The cars and engine are from different eras so it's not an official set. As stated above, it's worth is what you are willing to pay for it.

I'll disagree. I had that boxed set once upon a time.

Steve

I don't have any tinplate stuff, I was thinking about just getting a small one for a loop around the train room celling. I just don't know anything about tinplate.

harmonyards posted:

as much as you are willing to pay for it, and as much as they are willing to part with it

#1 answer.  BTW, how much were they asking?

NICK, They are asking $59.50

John, I don't think so! LOL They had a Grayhound bus that I looked at, but they wanted $99.00 for it. To much for my taste!

mike g. posted:

NICK, They are asking $59.50

John, I don't think so! LOL They had a Grayhound bus that I looked at, but they wanted $99.00 for it. To much for my taste!

Mike if it were me I couldn't get the $59.50 out of my pocket quick enough.

That's good to know, I don't think its going anywhere, as there are not many O scale modelers in my area! I will check next time I go to town!

Make sure it runs. Either they test it or allow a refund if it doesn't.  My first tinplate set was a boxed Nickel Plate road with 7" 4 wheel freight cars, track and a transformer in C7 condition. I paid $75 and did not really question if I paid too much. I still have it and enjoy it! Of course, that set cost me way more than $75, because I got bit by the tinplate bug and started buying all sorts of trains!

George

antique shops are a hit and miss. I've gotten several good deals, while some see an old train and think it's worth big bucks. nice find.

I look at wheel and bearing condition on Marx. The wheels can be brittle and crack under a puller trying to get to bearings or to remove an armature. You can clean the arm. plates (but not remove it without removing at least one wheel 90% of the time) . If it was oiled at all, it will likely be a long term runner.

The motors, much like postwar Lionel, are near bullet proof. In fact, I can only recall one Marx ever dying. And it may have been battery operated?  My own record is 5 for 5 runners including one literally buried in the dirt floor garage for a decade or two brought back to life. I've had more than that many Lionel die on me, out of less than 30 in the same amount of time. 

  Those motors are one of the smallest; but weight is more of a limiter than power. It will pull those tin all day all night, or about 4 -6 freight if you manage a coupling car.

I'd pay $10-15 for nice but common tab & slot cars. Those are newer with plastic claws.

I've paid as little as $3 as much as $8 for average cars in the last decade. The highest I saw was $15 for a "rare" color combo.

It's on the edge for me at $60 impulse buy....maybe.

It sure would be fun  

  I WANT to see $50-55 without power & track.

  I might turn it into a long term shopping haggle; returning with my offer repeatedly, and a grape soda to close the deal (I have been know to hold out on a deal for a soda sometimes I bought )

Final consideration is; if that is a fat wheel engine or not? 

  Those wide wheels won't go through many turnouts. The gear is as large as diameter as the flange(below)

Together, the extra width hits turnout guide rails, riding up to derail. If the straight path of a turnout's long rail is clear of guide rails the Fat wheel locos can be run, but only facing one direction to keep the fat wheels to that orientation, and only through straights; no red turnouts. And not on Super O turnouts. And not on most magnet decoupling tracks.... I'm sure there are more "not" too.

But put it on a plain loop and it won't stop.

Fat wheel (lower) ... Still runs, and mostly stays railed just fine. This chipping (upper) is from a jaw-puller. The wheels are not as good in metallurgy as Lionel. Use a plate type puller if you must.

Many parts can be found new, but not brand new wheels.

Go for it - life is short and uncertain!

  Not all Marx have the fat wheels Mike. The smaller geared wheels are pretty much normal.

I don't believe the price is too bad. I think you'll enjoy the set. The blue mail car is  an attractive piece. The engine won't go through Lionel switches, it will go through any Marx and prewar American Flyer. A good first tinplate set.

The fat wheels do not work on Marx plastic body turnouts; just pre war switches. The later Marx turnouts have guide rail issues too... and many Lionel's suffer derail too. 

Mike I'd buy it even if it didn't run.  From what I can see the litho on the cars look great.  You can always repair or replace the motor in the engine but my bet is it will run.  I have 5 MARX sets from the late 40's/early 50's and they all run.

Thanks Nice for your advice, I will check and see if its still there next time I go to town!

That set looks like it was not abused and worth the asking price in my opinion.

It would be fun. But if I didn't voice the issues it would be being apathetic

There is no substitute for a Marx animated tin waddle

Adriatic posted:

 

There is no substitute for a Marx animated tin waddle

I totally agree! It always brings a smile to my face when my fat wheel Marx races around the track with its "waddle". I may need to break it out this weekend and take a video for everyone to watch...

George

x

Many antique shops will discount 10% for cash.

Simon