The Marx Toy & Train Collectors National Convention — more commonly referred to as the Marx Toy & Train Collectors Show — has roots going back to 1998, when collectors and historians in the Ohio Valley began organizing an event dedicated to preserving the legacy of the historic Louis Marx & Co. toy empire.

History of the event and Louis Marx

The convention is deeply tied to the history of the former Louis Marx manufacturing operations in Glen Dale, West Virginia, as well as nearby Pennsylvania facilities. Marx was born on August 11, 1896 in Brooklyn and died February 5, 1982 in White Plains. He started his career working for Ferdinand Strauss, a mechanical toy manufacturer. He would then enlist in the US Army as a private. This experience would form a passion that remained in his life long after returning to civilian life in 1918.

Following his military service, he went back to work selling for Newton and Thompson, redesigning their product line and increasing profits tenfold. From there he and his brother founded Louis Marx and Company, which went on to become a massive success from his keen mindset and experience. He was declared "Toy King of the World" in October 1937 in a London newspaper. By 1938, Marx employed 500 workers in the Dudley factory and 4000 in the American factories. During the 1940s and 1950s, Louis Marx & Co. became the largest toy manufacturer in the world, producing affordable toy trains, playsets, vehicles, figurines, and later famous products like the Big Wheel.

By 1951, the Marx company had 12 factories worldwide. For much of the 1950s, it was the largest toy manufacturer in the world, with much of the success coming from Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalog sales and the many themed playsets available. As World War II drew to a close, Marx had toured Europe and acted as a consultant on how toy manufacturing could aid reconstruction efforts. Marx used the contacts he made in this manner to forge partnerships and open factories in Europe and Japan. Marx was featured on the cover of Time magazine on December 12, 1955, with his portrait eclipsing an image of Santa Claus, while examples of his toys swirl in the background.

The event itself grew out of broader enthusiasm in the toy train collecting community that had expanded throughout the mid-20th century. Organizations like the Train Collectors Association helped formalize the hobby nationally by connecting collectors, historians, and operators.

What makes the Marx convention stand out is its strong regional identity. Organizers and museum staff have consistently emphasized the significance of the toy-making heritage rather than simply running a commercial collectibles show. According to interviews with organizers, the event was designed to celebrate both the toys themselves and the workers, artists, and factories that produced them locally.

As the years have passed, the convention evolved into a national gathering point for Marx enthusiasts. Held at the Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum, it serves as a major preservation center for Marx history and toy train culture. It may be one of, if not the only event, where Marx collectors can find vendors with rare color variations, prototype pieces, factory molds, tinplate trains, and unusual accessories that are difficult to find elsewhere.

Come to the 27th Annual Marx Convention

Interested in witnessing a key moment in toy train history? The next convention will be happening on June 19–20, 2026. You can learn more about the even here.