Marx rare 897 wind up | ||
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Posted 13 years ago
JohnnyT.
(19 items)
Cool 1939 wind up Marx 897 with all lithographed details,including the boiler front.Quite a nice find for 25.00,runs and rings beautifully!Also has manual reverse motor.
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I have an extensive Marx collection of about 75 sets and some extra cars, engins, and accessories. I make sure they run before I catalog them and display them. I like sets. I have some unique sets and some common sets. Then I love to make up uncataloged sets from old department store catalogs, ie. Sears, Wards, and Aldens. When I have extra equipment, I make up what I call, "Runft uncataloged sets." I make sure the consist has the same couplers, trucks, wheels, etc. One of my favorate sets is pulled by the #897. This set is featured in the 1941 Montgomery Ward Christmas Book, page 85. There are two sets A & B. My set is set A. POWERFUL WIND-UP TRAINS...RUN FORWARD AND BACKWARD. Set A is two trains in one...passenger-freight; 55 inches long. Priced at $2.89. Consists of, Engine #897, Tender #951, two red Montclair passenger cars #558A, one red Montclair observation car #558A, a Rock Island gondola #552, a Colorado Shortline blue refer #555, one red NYC Caboose #556, Union Station #1430, Tunnel #390, 7 pieces straight track #501S, 9 pieces curved track #501C, Left hand mechanical switch #510, and an black end of track Bumper #505. Catalogue #48T 149. Shipping weight 8 lbs, 8 ozs. "Key included."
What a bunch of play value. Running the passenger train on main line. Stop before switch, uncouple engine, pull past switch, throw switch, back into siding, couple to freight set, pull out past switch, throw switch, back up and couple into the passenger train, pull whole train past switch, stop train, throw switch, back train into siding in front of station, uncouple freight train from passenger cars, pull forward past switch, throw switch and away you go, round and around.
I don't know how many windings this takes, but I think a few!
This set is also featured in Greenbers's Guide To Marx Trains, Volume II, by Eric J. Matzke, page 120. This is the same add thats in the Wards catalog from 1941.
I would judge all my equipment is in very good condition. Even have some original boxed sets. I am at the age my family is putting pressure on me to down size. I have all the Marx boxed and ready to sell. If you know anyone who may be intrested have them contact me. I am a long time TCA member and was coached by a TCA charter member. I would love to find buyers who will take care of the equipment.
Sincerely
Howard Runft
1827 W Dallas St
Wichita, KS 67217
Ph: 316-265-3414
E-mail: crunft_22@yahoo.com