Lionel Standard Gauge 390E!!

[lionel2]

Thanks for all the information.  I will look at my books and see what other info I can come up with about the 390E.  Thanks for all the help!!  I will have my standard trains up and running in about a few days.  First, i gotta take down my postwar O gauge trains.  Another day or 2 I would say.  Thanks again.

[DMUinCT]

Lionel type 390 ---  Introduced on the cover of the 1929 catalog.

1929 listed as Locomotive and Tender.  Hand Reverse #390, Remote Reverse #390E, lenght 22 1/4 inches.  No price listed.

1930 same but price $35.00

1931 #390E and 390T, list $32.50

1932 Not cataloged

1933, Not cataloged for separate sale, included in Set #373E, listed as #390E with #384T tender.

1934 and on --- no longer cataloged

TCA notes:  390T tender had 500 series tender trucks -- 390X has 200 series tender trucks.

 

 

[O-27]

I restored one of these about 10 years ago. I cant remember the exact length but it was roughly the same size of my 385E maybe a little longer. Until the 400E came out it was the BIG standard gauge steamer. I dont believe it came with a whistle. As I recall it went out of production about the time the whistle came out. As far as looks go I think the 390E is better looking than the 385E. However that is just my opinion. The motors are both basically the same Build -A- Loco motor. The bottom of the 385E says Standard Motor instead of Build-A-Loco but it is basically the same motor. As far as performance and quality both are about the same. However original 390 frames can warp and crack badly. Look for a bowing in the running board area above the drivers. The 385E frame is beefier,a lot more metal in it. The TCA put out an excellent book covering prewar trains as did Doyle. I have found these to be an invaulable resource and recommend them. The books give just the kind of information you are looking for. These trains can be very expensive and as I have a limited budget I research these things as much as possible before spending my money.

[lionel2]

How long is this loco with the 390T tender??  Did this loco ever come with a whistle tender?  Or it just has a plain 390T tender?  Is this loco better than the 385E or 1835E? Thanks.