The Art of Marx Trains Part 21: Marx FT AA 21 Diesel Freight Set 45200

[@curtismarean6963]

Just got one of these, need to work on the motor. Love it! I think marx made some very nice looking diesels in tin litho.

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Marx knew they were offering a competitive alternative to Lionel's F3 diesels. When purchased alone, the AA pair came with a diecast conversion coupler that tabbed-into the slot on the dummy diesel, so it could pull Lionel knuckle-coupler cars. Very tricky of LM to do that. Marx made some great sets with the accent on economy, durability and play-value. Marx's extensive use of lithography for simulated details was a huge part of their success. Marx only fell-short on a few minor details, like the fragile plastic horns that you mentioned. Nice video.

[@legiontheatregroup]

Really nice video. Clearly showed me everything I wanted to learn about the Marx 21. Thanks so much.

[@johnfroio4910]

Another great looking set!!

[@plunkervillerr1529]

Marx guy here, I have a 21 and value it much.

[@daveclarklumber]

Me too!

[@jodysmith8048]

The one hing that always gets me about this Santa Fe set is that the horns are almost always missing and one would have thought MARX would of solved that problem of the horns almost always being missing as the horns could of been a checking hazzard if a little kid would of swallow them

[@Wiencourager]

It’s a pity these weren’t made in more roadnames/paint schemes. They also competed against the Unique Art tin diesel that was available in the beautiful rock island rocket silver, purple and red. I just got one off eBay.

[@rogermetzger7335]

"Silly" is in the eye of the beholder, I guess but, to me, the width difference isn't as "silly" as TWO A-unit Diesels pulling a 3-car consist.

[@JohnMorgan-sx9uz]

Would it be possible to run a pair of Marx 21 diesels pulling a set of aluminum Lionel streamline coaches? I bet that would really look amazing.

[@daveclarklumber]

@@JohnMorgan-sx9uz I will try!

[@terrysogaugetrains]

Benz Trainz did a video about five years ago, showing a Marx Sante Fe 21 pulling 6 13 inch Lionel Milwaukee Road passenger cars and it made for a nice looking train. Here's the link to his video kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJDNfXt5d9Clqq8si=o7735Sy98TrWCtMy

[@JohnMorgan-sx9uz]

Thanks for that link! Love Benz Trainz but I hadn’t seen that one. Those beautiful Marx engines really deserve a rake of scale-matching streamlined coaches. I’d still like to see an all-aluminum super-chief consist. Maybe I’ll head to eBay to start piecing a set together for myself! 😂

[@terrysogaugetrains]

@JohnMorgan-sx9uz You could also Google train shows in your area. They sometimes have better prices than eBay.

[@therosejewelrailroad489]

Marx trains are very dear to me as they remind me of my childhood. But I just can’t get into the Marx diesels. I love the steamers. But the marx diesels just look too Cincy to me. Especially when you hold one next to the Lionel counterpart. I enjoyed your video though I don’t mean you no disrespect.