What condition would a train engine/car have to be before you would refurbish it?

Id leave those alone, they look great actually

If the train in the picture were mine, I would leave it as-is. 

 

Now, in regards to a Marx windup, most of them are common enough that it wouldn't bother me to repaint it, assuming it wasn't in pristine condition.  There are some exceptions such as the CP windup, 666 windup, Red, Green or Silver swing-peg CV and the blue Mercury that I personally wouldn't repaint unless they were very, very poor condition.

 

However, that is just my opinion, and you know what they say about those.  So, your trains, your decision.

 

By the way, how about a picture of the Marx clockwork?

Windup guy

 

here are the pictures of the windup engine I would like to redo.  I don't know much about Marx's trains but I have two sets with a number of different cars. It it does run And has a bell ringer. 

 

 

I like my old trains with some dings and scratches, it gives them character and its nice to know that they've been played with in the past.  However your Marx engine is a little too far gone on the left side, so if it was mine I would repaint it in gloss black.

If the paint is not bad, I will not touch the item. If the items was repainted then I feel it is a open canvas to do what I like. attached are some pictures of my Lionel 253 before and after pictures.

 

 

The decision is completely up to the individual.

I categorize my trains into two groups: items that are part of my collection, and items that I like to operate. I would not even consider restoring or refinishing anything that is part of the collection.

I do have a few repaints and modified items in my operator stuff.

I have refinished a few items myself. They were done in custom paint schemes.

 

I do have a few really beat up items in my collection. They are rather scarce pieces.

The 253 looks good. Off topic I found my set in an estate sale you had a posting earlier about flea market and garage sales finds, the area I live has a lot of estate sales and over the years I have some good luck picking up post and prewar trains. 

It has to have pretty bad paint for me to consider repainting, and the point made about rarity is a good one.

 

As far as your Commodore Vanderbilt, I'd say it probably would be a candidate.

Old and collectible (that is a hard quality to pin down) I would leave alone...

I don't collect Marx six inch, nor windups, so question is moot, however, if

that windup Marx engine has rust on it, and as said above, is not uncommon,

then I would repaint it after sanding to remove rust signs, and carefully

choosing a color match.

Now...for the new stuff...I am kitbashing and repainting that like crazy.

i'll echo James' comment that condition only plays a part in any decision to repaint.  if you know little to nothing about any manufacturer i'd strongly suggest anyone get advice before attempts are made to recondition a low condition model, as of course you have done.

 

from all angles shown as James has already said, it doesn't appear your CV falls into the rare or scarce realm, so a new shiny paint job would probably do more to give this locomotive a second life in operation.  if you can find a way to replate the dome and stack it would even look sharper.

 

good luck...gary

I don't have much to add to what's already been said.  Your Lionel 253 and its passenger cars are far too nice to even consider repainting, but the Marx windup would be improved by a new paint job.

 

I wouldn't buy an item that I thought needed repainting in the first place.  I much prefer the original factory finish, even with a few minor chips and scratches.

 

Thanks for the pictures of the Marx CV!  It looks like a relatively common version to me; Marx went to the single dome body prewar and continued them postwar, but the nameplate on the nose indicates it is prewar.  I would have no qualms about repainting it if it were mine.  Incidentally, nickel plating kits are available for the trim parts, but they are pricey.  You can get acceptable results cleaning up the trim pieces with careful wire brushing - I have a brass wire cup brush that I chuck up in a drill press, but a dremel tool will work just fine, too.  Grossman's Train Parts has reproduction domes, stacks and oval name plates, if you want brand new parts.

 

Post pictures if you decide to repaint it...

 

I like junkbox treasures. Might be a bare steamer shell, or a freight/passenger car with just the bare body.usually the cars just need the missing parts replaced. The steamers sometimes need a repaint. I like the scratches, and wonder about the joy some child had putting them there. My 2026 is on the fence as far as a repaint.But my Marx 999 was in dire need of fresh paint.

 

I wouldn't touch any of those trains in your pics....except to put them on the track!

Thanks all for the feed back, after getting the 253 engine working it is a good runner and looks good pulling the passenger cars. Over all most of my trains are early postwar with a few Lionel prewar. I have some Marx prewar which would be candidates for a paint job. 

I've noticed lately that I really enjoy the prewar trains maybe at my age I appreciate their age more. 

Like the Tinplate form and i'am learning a lot by reading the various posts.

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Here are some before & after cars, 259E's, a 610 car I made into a diner and some freight cars with my Grand Kids names. I like to take beat up tin plate and create my own train colors. The Hood Milk car was made from an old tender.

gene,

I like your work. Great idea using grand kids names, the diner is super.

rich1

Beautiful work Gene!