Marx Civil War Set Up (1 Viewer)

[playsetaddict]

I've found myself lusting after Marx ACW figures on eBay lately. I tell myself I don't need them...that I have plenty...more than I'll ever use...but still it's a battle not to bid. So I decided I better get around to making the Marx ACW set-up I've been dreaming of. I got out one of my larger diorama drapes and spread it out on the floor in my family room. I pinned the road in place and then the river. Then I stuck some books under it to give the landscape a rolling hill feel. Then I got out my vintage Marx Civi War figures. A few hours later, this is what I ended up with.

 

[jac28]

Looks great, Joe!

Jim

 

[lancer]

My youth just came flashing back.^&grin Used to set up my Marx ACW sets in the back yard. Loved the light blue and medium gray colors and all the accessories. The battles lasted from morning until dinner. Great times. You have a great set-up.^&cool -- Al

 

[sammy719]

A outstanding set-up there Joe, there is nothing better then the old Marx sets when it comes to plastics, whether it be WWII/ cowboys & Indians/Civil War they are still the best out there, thanks again for the stroll down memory lane as I had a large number of these guys awhile back...Sammy

 

[playsetaddict]

Thanks guys. The Marx playsets are my first love. However, I seem to enjoy collecting the stuff to make an "ultimate" set-up, and then never get around to doing it. Today I finally did it... and my wife has hardly made a snide comment about me taking over the family room.

The last shot gives a sense of the scale of the set-up.

 

[Go for Broke]

Now that's what I call toy soldiers! If I had my old toy soldiers, I wouldn't have to buy this collection of metal soldiers that I own to get back part of my childhood memories.

 

[Denver]

Totally Awesome, Dude !
What's your headcount for
so many many figures ?

 

[binder001]

That is quite a set up! Brought back many happy memories. My only complete Marx playset as a young child was the "Battle of the Blue & Gray" set that I got for Christmas. Those figures still stand up well fifty years later. Major regret about Marx - not near enough mounted cavalry, otherwise they were really great sets. As always your photography is great and really makes the troops look good.

Gary B.

 

[playsetaddict]

I think there are about 350 figures set up. I counted 220 yanks and I'm guessing on the rebs.

 

[sammy719]

p.s. love the wooden floors!!...Sammy

 

[Scott]

Well done sir! Masses of troops look great.

 

[The Lt.]

Surely wish I'd been with you Joe joining you in staging your hours of play with your Marx figures it would have been hours of fun. Thanks for sharing it with us...........The Lt.

 

[playsetaddict]

Thanks, guys. It has been fun, though squatting on the floor and reaching to re-set up that one jerky reb in the center of the scene that keeps falling over feels quite different than it used to feel when I was a kid. Now the question is whether or not my wife will let me take this set up down and mix in all my single color troops from Accurate, Imex, Airfix, CTS, Conte, and TSSD. I think I may have pushed things as far as I can.

 

[Jay]

As some one who is building up what I thought were huge Marx blue and gray armies, I'm sooooo jealous. I love this. Wish i had living room floor like that.

 

[playsetaddict]

Here are a few more angles.

 

[Go for Broke]

Still loving the pics. Kind of reminds me of the old Sears catalog.

 

[Scott]

Good set up! I like these features...

 

[Jay]

What is involved getting the figures to stand on that sort of a base?

 

[Larry Allen]

A wonderful display of one of the BEST playsets of all time. Like Al and Sammy and Gary said, it took away years and my childhood came back.

I got mine for Christmas also, and I even have the picture back in the 60's on Christmas afternoon when I first opened the box. Many hours or enjoyment then and you just gave me another one --- Thanks!!
Larry

 

[playsetaddict]

What is involved getting the figures to stand on that sort of a base?

Patience. And a sense of humor.
I don't know how many times the tenth marching guy in the row fell over and dominoed the other nine. You just have to balance the figures as you set them up. And be willing to set them back up when they fall over. The drape works best with metal figures, but it works with plastic too. Of course, if you had a dog or a cat you'd be in trouble.