Marx Mystery


fairbro

Member
Anybody know what this is? I got it in a box of miscellaneous Marx, at the auction. My friend said it was some kind of switch, that the heavy car going over it would flip a switch, and it does fit the track...also in the flat were 3 trackside metal "Uncouple Here" signs.

IMG_2029.JPG IMG_2030.JPG
 
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It appears from this picture that it is the base/stand for a grade crossing arm, missing the arm

marx_bwt_manual_5.jpg
 
The signs (a bit of a red herring) probably had to do with this or another like it.

1605%20Remote%20Uncoupler%20%2C%20Lighted.JPG
 
It appears from this picture that it is the base/stand for a grade crossing arm, missing the arm
...

So it's mechanical. Pretty ingenious! There was a box "Crossing Gate" of other parts, possibly that track part of the gate was in it originally:

IMG_2066a.JPG IMG_2067a.JPG

And the uncouple sign, but missing the uncouple track:

IMG_2067bb.JPG

What's funny is there are a lot of listings on Ebay for "MAR" items. The buyer of collectibles wins some "vintage model railroad" items and doesn't know they are "Marx" not "MAR". (I also thought at first they were two different companies, too!)
 
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