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The Marx Toy & Train Collectors National Convention
mailto:allan@toyandtrain.com.
The Marx Convention Memories page is divided into
several sections. You can jump to the section you want by clicking on it
in this list! Or simply scroll down the page, and relive ALL of the past conventions! And if you drag your mouse over the photos, there are captions for each one.
12th Annual Convention, June 2010
11th Annual Convention, June 2009
10th Annual Convention, June 2008
9th Annual Convention, June 2007
8th Annual Convention, June 2006
7th Annual Convention, June 2005
6th Annual Convention, June 2004
5th Annual Convention, June 2003
4th Annual Convention, June 2002
3rd Annual Convention, June 2001
2nd Annual Convention, June 2000
The First Ever Marx Convention, held in June of 1999!
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The Marx Toy & Train Collectors National Convention was started in 1998 by the Miller Family, owners of the Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum. These conventions were meant as a way to preserve the rich history of the Ohio Valley's own Louis Marx & Company, and the many area men and women who made those wonderful toys that were loved by generations!
Held in June each year, the Marx Conventions have grown with each passing year. From a few dozen attendees in 1998, the events have blossomed into "must do" destinations for hundreds of Marx enthusiasts from around the country!
If you've attended any of the past conventions, then you know what they are like! If not, why not check out the registration materials for the next convention. Make an effort to attend, and we are sure that you won't regret it!
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The 2010 Marx Convention - Surprises Abound! |
Some real surprises unveiled in 2010, including Marx trains that made an appearance on the Tonight Show, and a couple of new friends from the Girard Marx factory!
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The 2009 Marx Convention - Starting Our Second Decade! |
As we entered our second decade of hosting the annual Marx Convention, this event has grown to such a state that it has become almost an annual obligation for most attendees! In this year of a troubled economy, when many shows have been shrinking or even disappearing entirely, the Convention actually GREW in size over 2008! Below are just a few of the great memories from 2009.
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The 2008 Marx Convention - 10 Years and Counting! |
On Friday and Saturday, June 20th and 21st, 2008, the Toy Museum hosted the 10th Annual Marx Convention. Despite this summer's record gas prices, attendance and tableholder numbers both matched last year's totals. And some special surprises were in store for the 10th! First of all, each registered attendee received a special 10th aniversary suncatcher, made by local glass manufacturer Wilkerson Glass of Moundsville, WV. Many interesting things were shown at the annual show and tell (some of which are shown here). And a special treat, a select group of attendees was able to take a tour of Wheeling's own Iron Bay Model Company, the world's largest manufacturer of flyable model aircraft AND a 21st century military equipment designer. We weren't able to take photos there, but those who attended were truly amazed! Also, special honors were given out to folks instrumental in running these conventions, including four awards to the four attendees who have been at all 10 conventions: Al Schindler, Kerry Dunable, George Kroll, and Gary Lyons! We're already looking forward to 2009, when the convention will take place on June 26th & 27TH!
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Memories From the 9th Annual Marx Toy & Train Collectors National Convention! |
On Friday and Saturday, June 15th and 16th, 2007, the Toy Museum hosted the 9th Annual Marx Convention. Over 90 vendor tables stacked high with all sorts of Marx goodies greeted the hundreds of attendees and family members! A dinner Friday night at Undo's Italian Restaurant was a great chance for collectors to socialize! There were several interesting talks, and a show and tell session that brought out some truly unique items! Attendee John Twarog of Ohio snapped a few photos, and we've placed them below. Don't forget the big 10th Anniversary Marx Convention, which is coming up June 20-21, 2008!
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8th Annual Marx Toy & Train Collectors National Convention is in the History Books! |
On Friday and Saturday, June 16th and 17th, 2006, the Toy Museum hosted the 8th Annual Marx Convention. 82 vendor tables stacked high with all sorts of Marx goodies greeted the hundreds of attendees and family members! Talks by George Kroll (Marx Demonstrator boards), John Twarog & Bob Grossman (train repairs) and Noah Coop (repairing and restoring Johnny West action figures) were well received by the attendees, as was the traditional talk by former Marx employees, where a new face, former Marx employee Don Stewart, along with old friends, met and shared stories with the attendees! The Marx show and tell session brought out some real rarities for the crowd to see, and many terrific things were found at the swap meet.
A couple of new features greeted our guests this year. On Friday night, a group of the Marx folks got together at the Keg Und Kraut, a longtime Wheeling restaurant, for an evening of great food and great company! And on Sunday, June 18th, fourteen of the attendees made the trek to Erie, Pennsylvania, for a day of tourism and activities in that other Marx bastion to our north, all planned and organized by Bud Kovacs, of the Virtual Marx Museum!
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Seventh Annual Marx Toy & Train Collectors National Convention is the biggest yet! |
Another Marx Toy & Train Collectors National Convention is now behind us. This year's, the seventh annual event, was the biggest yet, with over 150 families in attendance and 73 vendor tables! For those of you who couldn't make it, here are just a few quick glimpses. There is, however, nothing like being here!
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It Just Keeps Getting Better - The Sixth Annual Marx Toy & Train Collectors National Convention!
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Another year has come and gone, and with it another Marx Toy & Train Collectors National Convention. This year's, the sixth annual event, was the biggest yet, with tables spilling up onto the second floor of the museum! For those of you who couldn't make it, here's a quick peek!
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Fifth Annual Marx Toy & Train Collectors National
Convention Fun for All!
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The Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum served
as the host site once again for the Marx Toy & Train Collectors National Convention on
June 13 and 14, 2003. Well over a hundred collectors attended from as far away as Florida,
Arizona, and Texas! The swap meet continues to grow, and many great old Marx toys and trains surfaced for sale. All who attended had a great time! Former Marx employees spoke with the
group on Friday, and several talks and workshops added to the fun! Some photos of the action follow. Make plans to join
us in 2004; the dates for the 6th Annual convention are going to be June 17 to 20,
2004. We'll be adding MUCH more for next year! Registration materials will be posted at a later date.
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"Former Marx employees and some of the attendees at the 5th Annual Marx Convention at the Museum!"
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"Every registered attendee received one of these fifth year souvenier trucks when they arrived!"
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"Just a portion of the trading areas - plenty of Marx goodies for everyone!"
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"Two of our regular 'Playset Guys' - Joe Falce and Calvin Plowman."
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"Just some of the terrific Marx items brought to the show and tell session on Saturday!"
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"One of the highlights of the event was the presentation by collector John Bowers of a portion of his vast collection of Marx prototype items!"
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"Rick Eber put on a great talk on Marx playset color variations!"
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The 4th Annual Marx Toy & Train Collectors National Convention - a great time for all involved!!!
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The 4th Annual Marx Convention, held at the Toy Museum on Friday and Saturday, June 14 & 15, 2002, was bigger and better again this year! Attendees and table count were both up over last year, and more importantly, everyone had a great time! Below are photos of just SOME of the goings on from the convention. Enjoy! |
John Twarog put on an exceptional workshop on basic soldering techniques. Even for seasoned repair veterans, John had some great tips! On Saturday, train repair tips were the topic, with Robert Grossman (the Marx Parts Guy) and Bob Barth ! |
Dick Reichard put on a two part workshop, on custom making switches for Marx trains, and on Marx caboose variations. I never knew how many variations of "cabeese" were out there! |
The talk by former Marx employees Robert Mickey (modelmaker), Alex Rich (modelmaker), and Chuck Davis (tool & die shop) was a high point for everyone! |
Harold Loy arrived late for the former employees talk on Friday. Harold has been the only former employee to make ALL FOUR of the conventions to date! |
On both Friday and Saturday, trading was brisk but friendly in the All Marx Swap Meet (OK, we let a few non Marx goodies in the door!) Many an attendee left with that special something to add to their collection! |
Marty Johnston of North Carolina talks with Mark Hegeman of Maryland. |
"Nobody make any sudden moves!" The swap meet was literally stacked to the ceiling with great Marx toys! |
The swap meet brought out a great variety of Marx, from trains to playset items to toys. There was something here for everyone! |
Many a great Marx item changed hands (some things more than once!) at this show! |
 
Mark Hegeman showed a truly unique Marx visible man type figure, done in a soft plastic with removable organs (shown in the second photo). The figure's face looked like Robert Mitchum! |
Mark also showed this hand drawn prototype of a boxed set of Warrior of the World Korean War soldiers! |
Kent Monahan of Catonsville, MD showed an exceptionally clean example of the Marx Range Rider! |
Kenny Nesvik of Tennessee showed TWO different versions of the elusive Marx Wards trailer, one on an equally desirable NYC 4 wheel flatcar! |
Alexandria, Virginia's resident train artist, Fred Pauling, made these beauties! He refers to his work as "trains Marx SHOULD have made"! |
Kenny Nesvik also brought along this interesting series of animal toys, still in the boxes! |
Kenny's last goodie, a motorized B-Unit for the Western Pacific diesels, may have been a factory mock-up, but it WAS a truly unique piece! |
On Saturday, a return trip to the Glendale Marx plant site was well received. Although we can no longer get into the plant itself (it is now fully occupied by other businesses), it is still an experience to walk the "hallowed grounds". Shown here, the old water tower is one of only a few untouched reminders of the building's former occupant. |
Part of the tour of the former Marx Glendale factory grounds on Saturday. |
Convetion attendee Irene Foster of Florida summed it up. Everyone was "all smiles" this weekend! Make plans to join us next year for the 5th Annual Marx Convention, to be held on Friday & Saturday, June 13 & 14, 2003! More information is on the "Marx convention itinerary & registration information" page on this website! |
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The 3rd Annual Marx Toy & Train Collectors National
Convention: Getting Bigger and Better Every Year!!!
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The Marx Convention for 2001 is now history.
Planning is already underway for NEXT year's convention, which will be held on June 14th
and 15th, 2002 at the Toy Museum in Wheeling. Growing bigger and better every year, the
convention drew many new attendees, as well as many familiar faces. Just about everything
Marx was represented. A variety of workshops were put on, on topics ranging from cleaning
and repairing your classic Marx toys and trains, to custom making parts and accessories
that Marx never got around to doing. Thanks goes out to Dick Reichart, Scott and Bobbye
Moss, Bob Barth, and Robert Grossman for putting on these wonderful workshops! Thanks also
to former Marx employees Alex Rich, Robert Mickey, Harold Loy, and Gary Nisperly (yes,
Gary you worked there a few summers, too) for sharing their memories of Marx with us! |
The now traditional 'group shot', taken on Friday at the
convention, is getting larger every year. Soon, we will run out of space in front of the
sign! And not everyone who attended is in this one, either! |
On Friday, attendees were treated to a talk by former Marx
Glendale plant Model Room workers. From left to right are Gary Nisperly, whose father
Walter was in charge of the model room; former model maker Robert Mickey; and former model
maker Alex Rich. |
The convention's swap meet was expanded into a second room this
year. A good mix of Marx, from playsets to trains to tin toys, was displayed at the show.
Many attendees were able to take a few new treasures home with them, too! |
The Saturday "show and tell" session brought out quite a
few rarities, including this RARE (possibly the only one in existence!) Untouchables
Playset store demonstrator board, in beautiful condition. Note the BROWN hard plastic
pieces, which are green in production sets. |
On Saturday, modelmaker Harold Loy, who wowed the crowds at last
year's convention, came back for a repeat visit. Harold, who was a modelmaker for not only
Marx, but also for Ideal, Deluxe Reading Toys, and Fostoria Glass, is seen here with a
cement mixer that he worked on. |
Much more went on during convention weekend,
from a trip to the Glendale Marx plant site, to a visit to the "Official Marx
Museum" in Moundsville, WV, to fun times at Friday's Victorian Vaudeville show and
Saturday's Jamboree USA show. Why not mark your calendars NOW and come share in the fun
with us at the 2002 Marx Toy & Train Collectors National Convention! |
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Second Annual Marx Toy & Train Collectors National
Convention a Huge Success!
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The Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum served
as the host site once again for the Marx Toy & Train Collectors National Convention on
June 16 and 17, 2000. Over sixty collectors attended from as far away as Los Angeles,
Seattle, and Texas! The swap meet was also about double the size of last year, and all had
a great time. Former Marx R & D employees Robert Emblem and Harold Loy spoke with the
group on Friday, and a tour of the grounds of the Glendale, WV Marx plant brought an added
surprise as the plant's new owner took us inside for a personal tour! Make plans to join
us in 2001; the dates for the 3rd Annual convention are going to be June 15 & 16,
2001. Registration materials will be posted at a later date.
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First Ever Marx Toy & Train Collectors National
Convention held in Wheeling, West Virginia! |
The Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum served
as the host site for thevery first Marx Toy & Train Collectors National Convention on
June 4 to 6, 1999. The first ever event, slated to become an annual occurrence, featured a swap meet, along with a visit by former Marx model room employee Harold Loy. Loy reminisced with collectors about his days at Marx, along with his time spent at Ideal Toys and Deluxe Reading. Convention attendees came from both near and far, to buy, sell, trade, and swap stories about those great Marx toys we all love. Plans are already underway for next year's convention!
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To contact us with a comment or question, why
not email us!museum@ToyAndTrain.com
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