999 Marx First Steam Die-Cast Locomotive

The Old Reliable 999 MarX Die-Cast Steam Logeotive
The first diecast logeotive made by Marx was the 999. Designed in early 1941, it was sold inlimited numbers in 3/16 scale sets in 1942. Being 1.75 pounds and 8.5 inches in length, with a 2-4-2 wheel arrangement, it was quite a nice piece. Prewar models are identified by their spoked wheels and double shoe pickups. The 999 was built tobe an economicSCALE version toy train for the working class American family.It was well on its way into every household, however, WWII beganat about this time and production had to cease for wartime efforts. The 999 would not be mass marketed until after 1945.

This first of the die-cast engines was quite a leap for Marx. This was theprimary attempt for greater detail as gepared with the former pressed steel locos. And more would follow ! Marx used the same time tested motor and flat pick-up shoe design for the 999 as previously used onstamped steel locos,Vanderbilts and CPs. The Marx exclusive twist forked coupler design was also first used on the scale design cars. Lithography and some embossing, and railing was used on the scale cars to provide a more realistic appeal. Marx trains had to be reliable and cost effective. That is what made MarX toys successful!

The earliest of these engines is the open spoke pilot version which was electric, but surprisingly a few windup 0-4-0 versions were made and numbered 666. These early models were heavy and in the hands of children, were often dropped. This fall and heavymass of the engine tended to break the spoked pilot off. So the engine was redesigned with a closed spoke pilot. It appears that there must have been a problem with the pilot casting or catcher getting easily bent, so around 1947 a flat pilot or cowcatcher with a fuller thicknesswas finally settled on. There are two versions of this pilot: one with rivets on a flat pilotand a 1950's versionwith bars(ribs) and rivets. The postwar 999 is also identified by it's Baldwin wheels and single shoe pickup. ^ MarX logo on cab only!The very last USA version, and probably scarcest 999, has the Marx emblem moved from the boiler to the cab side and the double reduction motor is now the choicefor power.
The 999 moves to Mexico
MarX moved the 999 mold to his Mexico plantduring the 50's when plastic trains became more popular in the US. Thereexiststhe Marx Mexican version of this loco in both diecast (666) and plastic (999) with either scale or "Hafner" style cars. There is no Marx emblem on the boileror cab side on these. The Plastimarx brand would be designedfor the Mexican market.

Overall, this was quite a successful engine for Marx sales as these are still quite abundant, considering they have not been made for 60 years. (And most all of them still run!)
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Louis Marx Toys and Trains Brief HistoryIf you found this information usable in any way, please do not hesitate to vote . Thanks!