A Marx Wind-up engine with Radio Control added.

That is really interesting. I don’t think it’s worth the effort but it is cool.

I guess it is a tad better than an electric dog polisher or a gasoline powered turtle neck sweater...but not by much. 

Oh, c'mon, people, I think you're missing the point.

Obviously, a remote control on a clockwork train is not an exercise in practical functionality or advancing the state of the art of model railroading, but IMHO is instead just intended as a folly -- a project undertaken *precisely because* of its absurdity or impracticality. Just to state the concept is nearly enough to blow one's mind, and to actually bring the concept into being IMHO puts the project more in the category of mechanical artwork than a typical model railroading build. Critiquing it as if it were just another modification is sorta like someone actually building one of Escher's staircases and others complaining it wasn't carpeted or painted properly -- perhaps literally true, but beside the point IMHO.

Don't forget the flame throwers! 

Its not something I would do for any reason!! The big question is WHY!!!!
I had Marx trains many years ago and I really liked them but lets be honest, they were cheap junk. I know I had alot of them.
Seems like its a waste of more time then its worth!!

Dave

My first set was a Marx clockwork, so fond memories of good times on the floor of my room when I was a kid. Received a second-hand Flyer Mountaineer set shortly thereafter, but still remember that wind-up.

On the subject of "cheap junk" ....

First of all, Louis Marx was a TOY MAKER as well as a train maker. (And BTW, they
were very good friends!)

Second, Marx toys were meant for FUN! But they were AFFORDABLE (unlike most of today's
model trains). My childhood set (vintage 1954 and STILL going strong!) was LESS THAN
THE SAME (1954) COST OF A SINGLE LIONEL or AMERICAN FLYER CAR! I know this because I also
have my first Lionel set (vintage 1956).

Third, they got MANY of us started in this wonderful hobby.

And last but NOT least, Marx made some VERY NICE higher end trains both before and after
WW2 that lasted well into the 1950s. And ALSO it is a MARX (not any other brand!) locomotive
that enjoys the LONGEST RUNNING PRODUCTION of a single locomotive. Beginning with Marx before
WW2, then being produced by several other manufacturers after Marx closed down and the tooling
was sold. Atlas being one of them. There was an article done about this in one of the TCA mags
and also in Classic Toy Trains years ago.

Many Marx accessories became part of many other brands' layouts. (Floodlight towers, bridges, signs,
signal bridges and even some tinplate buildings and tunnels).

Enclosed are some images of some of that "cheap junk". (Die cast locos, scale detailed cars, etc.)

PS ... Don't forget to click the image to enlarge it for better viewing