Hi from Georgia! Need some help ID'ing a car...

ModelRailroadForums.com is a free Model Railroad Discussion Forum and photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.


D

Dockers

New Member
Hi all,

First of all, thank you for this wonderful resource! I have a couple of questions about some railroad cars I have found while cleaning my house. The first was a gift from some friends in Japan.











This second car looks older; it's not in the best shape, but it still looks good. It says "Union Pacific" on the side and "Made in the United States of America / New York, N.Y. / MAR Toys" on the back of it.









If ya'll could help me, I would greatly appreciate it. I am looking for a general idea of, firstly, what exactly I have here. Secondly, I am interested in a ballpark figure of how much they are worth.

Thank you for your time!
 
The first one is an el cheapo toy. I can't read Japanese so I don't know the brand. It's not any particular scale.

The second one is a Marx (made by Louis Marx and Co). I believe it is O scale. It looks like an older Marx car. They may be collectable and may be worth a bit of money, but I'm not too sure about what's collectable and what's not. Your car appears to be the one made in 1952 (which is less collectable than the ones made before WWII). Checking eBay it's probably only worth about $15 in like-new condition. With that dent in the roof, most likely less.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Marx trains have some value, depending on age, condition and rarity. Perusing EBay may give a clue as to value if a similar version can be found.

Patrick, Marx trains are from your father or grandfather's youth. They're O.L.D.

The Japanese train is one of many toy-like 'models' of the Shinkansen Bullet train. Scale and detail accuracy are minimal as they are meant as toys or gifts. The Japanese are very big on gift giving (ti's the thought that counts, not the $$). The Bullet train, especially the original versions which this appears to be a model of are the source of much national pride. I have several that are approx N-Scale that I bought as mementos on my trips to Japan in the 80s and 90s.
 


You must log in or register to reply here.




Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)

Back
Top