The picture above is of a 572ST flatcar for a tank. This car is indisputably a tank
flat.
Now, above is another 572ST tank flat car. It is also, indisputably a tank flat. But,
is it also something else?
As you can see above, the tank fits on this car correctly.
This picture shows a detail of the correct tank on the questionable flat car. Note that
this questionable feature has nothing to do with the tank. The tank is not long enough to
reach back far enough to touch it in any way. So the question is, why did Marx modify the
frame tooling to punch this tab? We all know that Marx, like other manufacturers did not
waste money. This tooling change had to have a purpose that was justified, because someone
had to pay to make it! I have an answer that some collectors don't want to hear. I present
it here because I'm interested in facts, not in affirming preconcieved ideas.
Yes, that's right. I believe this car is an early version, dual purpose flatcar, capable of
carrying either the tank or the airplane. Now those collectors that have airplane flat cars
(572A) in their collections don't want to hear this. That is understandable since, if I am
correct, the number of airplane flat cars in circulation is immediatly doubled, at least.
But the evidence is strong that I am correct.
First of all, it explains why airplanes
are easier to find than airplane flat cars and it explains why tank flat cars are easier
to find than the tanks. It justifies the tooling alteration. Finally, the airplane fits
perfectly. Is that just a coincidence?
Below is a detail picture showing how the tab on
the back of the airplane fits perfectly into the flat car.
I can't help but wonder, how many collectors have found a Marx military set with this
car and an airplane, only to replace the plane with a tank, simply because a book which has
several mistakes, fakes and many omissions, claims that this flatcar is for a tank? Have
you? I know of one collector, so far, that has found this car in a boxed set with an
airplane and no tank. His first thought was to find the "correct tank" for his set. I was
able to convince him to leave the contents of the set alone for the present. But, this is a
question that begs an answer. If not for the airplane, why the tooling change?
If you
have found a set with this car and an airplane, I would love to hear from you. Please email
me. marxtin@comcast.net
This is the eight wheel Tank Flatcar which does not have the suspect rear tab. If the purpose of the tab had anything to do
with the tank why is it never found on the eight wheel Tank Flatcar?
Since I first presented this theory several years ago several serious Marx collectors have indicated they agree with me. There are still some firmly entrenched holdouts though!
I have a more extensive description of this on
The DEFINITIVE Guide to Marx Trains, Joy Line and Six-Inch Tin.