Terry, although you stored them carefully, the lubricants have probably hardened. Fortunately, using the correct solvent will probably correct the problem.
They look like they are in good condition, and they are unusually old, so they should be worth something. However, the market is glutted with old model trains, so I doubt that you will collect a fortune.
The little bit of online information I can find indicates that the loco was first manufactured around 1926, but Lionel continued to make them for some time. Production ended around 1935. Over time, Lionel ran out of the correct side panel and substituted a different side panel.