I don’t have 400 to inspect. What is the difference between the 400 and the 490?
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The 490 is basically a newer version of the 400. They are very similar to each other, just vary in minor details (like the size of the window shade over the cab windows). I believe the 490 can be found with a larger variety of electric motors than the 400 (such as the one-way motor, DC version, etc).
From a windup perspective, mechanical 400’s are much more common than 490’s… the mechanical 490 was only made for a year or so before being superseded by the 401, a locomotive that is as plentiful as it is homely!
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Here are a couple of pictures to compare a mechanical 400 to a mechanical 490 - the 400 has more variations than the 490.
400 w/ Riser Gear motor, left hand keyhole:
490 w/ Riser Gear motor, left hand keyhole:
They are similar, but not from the same tooling. Obvious differences are in the headlight, smokebox door details, smokestack, and window shade. One small detail that can’t be seen is that the newer 490 lacks a small relief area inside the boiler to properly clear the riser gear motor… sometimes the gear can catch the top of the boiler and cause problems winding the loco. Interestingly enough, the older 400 had a relief area cast in the top of the boiler just to clear that gear on that particular motor. Going to the slightly larger 401 solved that issue.
Mechanical 490 shells tend to be brittle and have cracks or breaks - it is harder to find a nice example than you might think.
Here is a 401 mechanical - note that it has a blank number plate on the smokebox, whereas the 400 and 490 have their numbers cast in that number plate:
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Thanks!
Marx’s yellow and brown City of Denver appears to have only been available as a mechanical (windup) locomotive. (Some collectors change out the motor with an electric motor.
The yellow and brown is actually closer to the prototype City of Denver’s paint scheme.
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The 490 plastic overall is thinner than the 400, I believe. You can tell by the weight, even in units with the same basic motor.
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The William Crooks is one of those locos that I’ve always wanted on my railroad, not because it fits in or anything but most just because I saw the real one in Duluth. Same with the Lionel SD18/SD-M.
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I’ve paired the Crooks (electric) with New Marx Milwaukee Road cars.
And leading a string of New Marx beer cars.
Enjoying the World’s Greatest Hobby
Northwoods Flyer
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They’re out there. While not super-common they do turn up at shows and with sellers like trainz.com. You just have to keep looking and keep your fingers crossed.
Looks great Northwoods! But I suspect the William Crooks engine is probably easier to find than the New Marx cars! I see the Crooks turning up at shows but NEVER see any New Marx articles.
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Even after the plastic 400-series locomotives had come to dominate Marx’s budget-priced train sets, there were still those customers willing to pay a little more for a pressed metal locomotive. The 591 was introduced to meet this need.
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I always liked these
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And my wallet full!
They’re out there for sure, just never at the price I want to pay when I have money to pay it…
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Understandable! I’ve passed on things myself for the same reason, I want it but not THAT much!
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Thanks Flintlock,
I’m not sure how you feel about buying on ebay but the New Marx cars and even the engines show up with some regularity. That is where I make most of my purchases.
Northwoods Flyer
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I get most of my train items on eBay too.
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Not too crazy about it, before I buy something I want to see it in person. The only time I’ve done otherwise is with trainz.com, they’ve got a good reputation and I haven’t been disappointed. I have heard things about eBay disappointments.
So, “The 'Bay’s” not for me.
I don’t use Ebay much; I prefer Trainz as well. Still, I can’t resist seven turnouts for like $20…
They were perfectly fine, the electrical ones just needed some cleaning!
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