Lionel 400E locomotive

[SamAC]

I have a Lionel 400E freight set that belonged to my Father. He bought it new when it came out.

My qustion is the front and rear whels have red centers, the 4 middle wheels that are connected to the motor have black centers.

Can anyone tell me when the one with black center wheels was made. All I keep finding are the ones with red wheels. The wheels are orginal on it. And is it rare? or not?

Thanks

[rrlineman]

a lot of re-wheeling was done in the 70-80s. and the folks would use what ever color was advailable. the most common then were Bowser and Model Engineering Works and McCoy. all the factory fininshes would be very smooth and a repaint would be rough and brush marks can be seen. it is also possible that the chassie was swapped or the front and rear trucks were changed simce the wheels from that time are well known for dissolving from "ZINC RUST" diesase.

[SamAC]

No, my Dad never did anything to it. I replaced the drivers with reproductions as the orginal ones were missing,but that is all.