What is this? What is the most you would pay for it?

You definitely have tinplate there.  One engine strikes me as a Lionel 259E, perhaps, a desirable engine.  Can't be sure about the black one, but again, looks ike Lionel.  They and the cars except the black hopper and brown box or stock car are from the 30s to 1942.  The hopper and box or stock appear to me 3/16 scale Marx (1942-1957).  I'd pay $30; I like to tinker and get old decrepit stuff running and presentable. 

What you have there is a 259E loco (no tender-but there is a shell) a 1684 (no tender) a 654 tank car, a 2652 gondola, a 657 caboose a marx boxcar shell and a flyer s gauge hopper.  All late 30s but the hopper.

Looks pretty rough. I would say that it looks too rusty for good running without tons of parts and some frustrating work.

I would not take it at all, but if you cant fight the urge, offer $20 and you might make it up if you sell the stuff for parts.

So basically we are somewhere between junk and tinker parts.  I like to tinker so I might offer 20, if it is better looking in person the photo then give 25 or so. 

I figure I waist at least that much in gas every week waiting in traffic, at least this way I can possibly make something out of it.  Thanks for all the info

The cattle car looks like the very rare and desirable Marx PRR cattle car. That one piece is the gem in the junk, IMO.

The cattle car is a PRR cattle car.. not sure if it's Marx or not... but like I said, I like to tinker.  I may try and repair one of the engines.  The just at first glance, the wheels are gone/ cracked, broken.. I got all of it for 20 bucks so I figure if it were all junk I was out of 20 bucks.  If not, I might put a few $$ in it, get things running and maybe have something, and most importantly learn a little something in the process.    

The tank car shows that the set has been in rough times...

To me, it's probably past saving But that is me. I know of a similar one on a shelf from childhood that is doing well.

Anyone have a good source for decals for the PRR and the L&N cars?  They are Marx, so not O scale.  I have found plenty of O scale sources, but not Marx.  I am trying to decide between complete strip down (if i can get the decals) OR just cleaning them us, replacing parts and leaving them as is.  

Any thoughts?

Did you buy the trains?

If so, I'd be interested to know how you make out fixing them up.

On the PRR stock car, only clean it lightly. They are a little hard to come by. Robert Grossman carries a few Marx decals, dry transfers etc, but not for what you are looking for.

Steve

I did buy them.  They are a little rough.. But I am in it for the learning experience.  I hope that I can get a few wheels, straighten a few things out and have 2-3 of them in decent shape.  I will post some photos when i get them a little farther along.  

Papa,

The PRR car is a little beat up, but I think i can straighten things out a bit, get some new wheels and it will br descent.  The other will be the yellow Lionel 652.  and the Tank car, Lionel 654.  What do I do about the plates with the #'s and Lionel on them?  Is there a way to replate that piece, or should I just find a new/cleaner one.  

Thanks for the help all.