At 1:22 minutes of this video you can see our first layout in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...Pcc0&feature=related







In these tough times here are some Marx layouts we can all afford.

Do you have a Marx layout or a Marx scene of which you are pleased? Lets see what you have...............here is a Yahoo Group focused entirely on Marx should you be interested: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MarxTrain/

This message has been edited. Last edited by: H. Michael Spanier,

That's a really neat layout. Judging from the ball of speaker wire by the transformer, there must be a lot action that isn't shown in the picture

Here's an older shot of my modest Marx layout. I've got a pair of Marx switches coming to replace 2 of the Lionels. Then I'll be able to run my 999.



Thanks for starting this thread. I hope to see a lot more pictures here.

J White

@ HMS

That is a great layout...true tinplate. Just trains and a few accesories. Any idea what the dimensions are on that? Looks like two 4X8's in an "L", maybe... Anyway, thanks for sharing that shot.

PD

H. Michael.....
Hey look at that ZW sitting there!
Joe O'Loughlin

That second layout you added looks like even more fun to me Mike.

I'm thinking a ZW is a bit of overkill on the first layout. Not that anyone has ever gone overboard on these forums

J White

Mike:

Great photo of a beautiful layout, and a "classic" vintage layout!

I actually have three bookshelves that are identical to those that are pictured in the rear of your second photo, and have been considering a Tinplate layout for that spare room!

cordially,

Dennis

Great thread Mike :-)

I too have been playing trains for the last few days - spot the Marx :

http://www.binnsroad.co.uk/rai...ts/vic09/070809a.jpg

More pictures, and the full story, here :

Victoria Week, 2009

Cheers,

A couple of shots of Deadwood - a 3' by 4' layout. Lots of stuff but very little invested. Includes an O loop and a HO loop for Marx HO and my homemade Marx ON30.

Second try on this post - please excuse the fumbling around.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bill Mc,

Well that didn't work. It loped off half of the photo and left the second one out completely along with my descritpion. Help!

quote:

Originally posted by Bill Mc:
Well that didn't work. It loped off half of the photo and left the second one out completely along with my descritpion. Help!

Bill - Worked fine, BUT, how come the Santa Fe "sound of power" tender is running backwards! This is Marx....we expect and DEMAND more realism!

That switch sure took a beating!

Very best,

Mike Spanier
Lionel Super "O" Track is always being BOUGHT & SOLD

When you say "worked fine" does that mean that you can see both pictures and the description? I can only see 1/2 of the first picture. Why would that be? Is this an initiation rite that newbies must go through?

Unfortunately the tender will only work backwards with that loco. They have to stop occasionally and the fireman goes to the back of the tender and carry a shovel full of coal to the loco. It's a very stressful job.

The switch didn't work out too well with the single reduction motors I have so it got a major haircut.

Apparently you missed all that dust that has accumulated on the water tower or I'm sure you would have pointed that out as well.

Hello Marx fans

A good idea for a thread Mike, and the perfect time for my first post on this forum. I am a member of the Marx Yahoo group and I have been enjoying this board for a while.

Here are some pics of my 2 layouts. Both of them have evolved since these photos were taken. The "large" table is 3.5' x 7' and the smaller one is 3.5' x 4'

Joy Line at the station

Early view of my "large"layout

I wanted a layout with the most trains, in the smallest space. This table now has a 3rd circle on Marx trestles. It can have 3 running trains, and an extra locomotive or freight for switching.


thanks everyone for sharing your photos and comments,
John (having some trouble formatting) Paddle, Toronto, Canada

John, All are very nice layouts. I really like the Joy line setup.

Turns out the size wasn't the problem. I had used "align left" which apparently was a mistake and I added spaces between each pic and the comments in my message. Don't know if that was part of the problem or not.

Marx video's you will enjoy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8HGcdt7iyE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...1TXc&feature=related

Here are my Marx videos on Youtube. Hope you enjoy them.

Marx Trains - Coal Dump Station - The Easter Bunny's Surprise
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAh3rajiMnE

Marx Trainz Triple Pizza - Toy Train - Jimmy McGriff - Black Pearl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGnOvnKlh68

Marx Trains - Saint Patrick's day | The Pogues - Dirty Old Town
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACjtu09hIPk

and .. Marx Wind up Toy Train
which had it's own thread a while ago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWaobyVHCqU

video index
http://www.youtube.com/user/GimblePike?view=videos

JohnPaddle, Toronto

John - Those videos are an absolute hoot! Great fun!

Very best,

Mike Spanier
Lionel Super "O" Track is always being BOUGHT & SOLD

Thanks Michael. Marx is fun. I like that all Marx layouts have the same few accessories which make them so familiar while being so different.

I look forward to more pictures.

JohnP, Toronto

This message has been edited. Last edited by: JohnP_Toronto,

X Marx the spot!!!
Recently completed 5X9 Marx laryout.

Wes

That is a GREAT looking layout, Wes! All the lithographed items really make things pop! What was the hardest item to locate?

Randy

JohnP, GREAT layouts and fun videos! My girls and I especially enjoyed "The Easter Bunny's Surprise". Thanks for sharing

Randy

quote:

Originally posted by The Moonman:
That is a GREAT looking layout, Wes! All the lithographed items really make things pop! What was the hardest item to locate?

Randy

Thanks Randy! It's been "TONS-O-FUN" fer sure! The hardest items were finding that the plastic roof fit on top of the litho whistle station. Found many of each, but never put the two together. Then had to fabricate the button on the end flap to make the electrical connection for it to work. Another was the "dogbone" coupler for the UP's. One long term chalenge was the correct gas pump light fixtures. but...That's half the fun!

Wes

Absolutely WONDERFUL layouts! ALL OF THEM! Brings
me back to my childhood with my "train tables" and
the layouts I built on them! My first train was a
Marx windup (I have an ORIGINAL!) from 1955. Still
runs great! I did later on buy an electric steamer
so I wouldn't wear out/break the windup loco. I have
a LOT of fun running trains during power outages
much to the dismay of my friends!

Still have to watch all of those videos!

GREAT JOB ALL!

Thanks for all the great pictures. Love all the color and tinplate litho.

You know what I really get a kick from with Marx? If you look at most of the layouts the equipment certainly works fine but it "definitely" has been played with. Scratches, chips, rust and all the other signs of played with and enjoyed toys. To me, that is a huge part of the fun with Marx. They are toys that have stood the test of time and are well played with and in most all cases so very affordable.

Lets see some more layouts!

These layouts are really great, I hope folks will continue to post them.

Referencing the first picture...

Hooking up a ZW to a Marx layout means that you only need one transformer to run multiple trains and accessories, plus it's Dad's layout and he can run his Lionels on the outside loop. Now we have 2 ZW's running the layout and have 2 Marx transformers running auxilliary lights and button-operated accessories. I'll see if I can post an updated picture.

If I may, I'll explain the "bundle of wire" - we wired the layout to a control panel which ran all the switches and a bunch of blocks in each loop. We left a lot of extra wire, because the layout was mobile and the control panel sits in different locations. We could disconnect and move the control panel and transformer separate from the foam panels. Wires were under the carpet. Not the best system - wires were too small, shorts and wrecks melted the foam a bit. The track design is my Dad's and allowed 2 trains to run at once and had 2 different return loops for turning one-way engines.

Thanks for the nice comments, there is always action, some of it planned and some of it not planned.

This is cool to see how folks run their old trains. It is so much fun to unbox a 50 or 60 year old piece, dust it, oil it, and then watch it run.

Thanks Michael for the forum, how did you happen on the first picture?

B. Lantz

Wes,

This really is a beautifully executed layout. Great job, I loved the photos!

Ed "ICE" Berg

quote:

Thanks Michael for the forum, how did you happen on the first picture?

B. Lantz

Hello B. Lantz - Funny world we live in. Certainly would look forward to a current photo of your layout.

I came upon the photo by accident within a website forwarded to me. I was very impressed as I love toy train layouts. Thought yours had excellent operating possibilities. Now, with your explanation I more clearly understand and it is my favorite.

Looking forward to seeing a current photo.

quote:

Originally posted by Ed "ICE" Berg:
Wes,

This really is a beautifully executed layout. Great job, I loved the photos!

Ed "ICE" Berg

Thanks Ed!

It was "TONS O' FUN" to build too!

Wes

Thanks for all the great photos of the wonderful layouts.

cordially,

Dennis

I think I am in trouble. I am revamping my 3R for my O-Scale, and all these pic's are telling me to get my 61 year old Marx out of storage and run it instead. The simplicity of Marx is a great way to enjoy our trains.
Al

Al:

"Show Me" your new Marx layout!

cordially,

Dennis....


Mi not Mo!

Here is a photo from 2005 (compare to top photograph). I hope this works.
B. Lantz

quote:

Originally posted by B. Lantz:
Here is a photo from 2005 (compare to top photograph). I hope this works.
B. Lantz

Bill - Is this the current layout? Still operating? How come it was changed?

Mike -

The pictures I put on the marx site are of the latest and last track plan. The basic layout is the same as the old one. One of the reverses was removed and several more sidings were added. Its fun to crowd the platform with trains, but that is at the expense of scenery. Here's a somewhat poorly lit video from 2007 - Bill

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...xlf0&feature=channel

Dennis GS4,
I will try to get some pics, but I am a ways from being ready to run.
I believe I saw a couple of posts for a Marx Forum. If enough guys or gals make their support known, Rich may set it up.
We had to show quite a bit of support for the Narrow Gauge Forum. Another thing that helps is no bickering, praise and complements to show support for each other is very helpful.
Al
P.S. Rich will not accept bribes!

Great thread and pictures! Perfect example of why this website is valuable.

Here's some photos of my MaP (Marxville & Plateau RR). I've been working on this now for what seems like decades even though it's only been about 5 years. Even after all that time only a small portion has been adequately finished. Oh well - enjoy the photos.

Ed "ICE" Berg

Those cattle must get to market.............

I just picked up a Girard whistle station on eBay. To my surprise the whistle was still inside and it even works! Here's where I placed it on my layout:



J White

LOVE MARX... these shots have all been from my 2007 Holiday Layout.

very nice gentlemen! I'm liking Marx more and more

Imagine this on your wide radius Marx layout! I think these type of customs are spectacular.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: H. Michael Spanier,