Marx train set (Date and Locomotive?)

[BaShea]

My dad recently gave me his Marx train he got when he was about 5 or 6.  Unfortunately, he did not have the box or the locomotive.  I was wondering if anyone could help me to date the train set and find a locomotive to purchase. 

I believe it was made in the mid 50's.  I have a tin freight/box car (I assume that is what it is called) that is red, white and blue and says "State of Maine"  I also have a tin car that appears to be a gondola or a hopper, not for sure if that is what it is called, but it is brown and open on the top with the words "Seaboard 92 257" written on the side.  Lastly, I have a plastic tender car that is black with the lettering "New York Central" on the side.

The track consists of 8 curved pieces and 2 straights pieces.  I believe it is called O gauge and it has two outer tracks and a tracks in the middle.  The transformer reads "Toy Transformer Louis Marx & Co. Inc."  Also has a cat no. 309

If anyone can help me date this partial train set and give me guidance as to what I need to do to complete it with a locomotive, I would appreciate it!!  Thanks!

[wallyworld]

This is a good place to start by identifying where your set falls.

http://www.toyandtrainguides.com/marxtin.htm

[BaShea]

Thanks for the starting place.  I did find the gondola in a picture, but it was with the Kansas City Steamliner set, I don't think this one is a diesel set since it has a black coal tender car.  I did e-mail the site owner and sent a few pics, so maybe he can help too.

[Algonquin]

Marx made a lot of different sets over the years and identifying the set number that your dad had and it exact contents would be very difficult with the few pieces you have. Typically, Marx would match up your black plastic NYC tender with their number 400 0-4-0 black plastic steam locomotive. The caboose would typically be a NYC marked, probably a 556 Red or a 20102 Red and Gray.