Post some pics if the condition is nice i may be interested. whitejettacoupe@yahoo.com.
They are really worth the same. The 402 that is good is the early one with brass ends and large gear super motors. It came with the early block lettered 418 pullmans and is tough to find. It will also have the huge whistles in nickel. Good luck in the search. The auto reverse is nice to have when youre running it, but no big deal.
Maybe I will just have to sell this 402 and I have a buddy that is selling some 402's. I have 2 to choose from, still waiting for pics from him. He has them nicely priced, but would have to see the pics first. If I can get a $250 or so out of this old ball 402, I will be happy. Then I can get an all original 402. Now, the 402 with the manual reverse is better than the 402E with the pendulum E-Unit. Because no one I know runs their standard gauge in reverse, so there really is no need to reverse the 402. Thus, having the manual lever in one position is ideal for running the loco. I have a book that prices the 402 more valuable than the 402E. I will keep you updated. Thanks.
I hear your worry. It would eat me too.
Okay, should it have manual reverse with an e stamp on the door? NO.
When Lionel ran out of "E" etched plates normal hand reverse plates were substituted and an "E" in red or black was rubber stamped either on the door or side of the loco. This practice was done from 1926 through about 35. Ive seen it on 380s 402s 318s 252s 253s and 254s.
It isnt so easy to just turn an E 402 into a hand reverse model. The hand reverse unit uses a long nickel arm to trigger the twin wafer reverse switches simultaneously. This part was only used on the 402 and has never been reproduced. Finding one would be nearly impossible without buying a junker.
The logical explanation is that some collector way back when had a 402 with a nice frame and nasty body and a 402E with a nice body and nasty frame. Made one good loco out of the pair and sold off the carcasses.
Good news is that the "E" stamp adds value. It is tougher to find than the normal e plate.
If you want to remove the hand reverse system and add a pendulum i can help with parts and diagrams. Bad news is 402E's used a different frame than 402s made before 1926. So you would need to find the correct frame if you have the older style. The older style does not have provisions for the wiring mess to go through. Post some pics of what you have and i will be able to tell you more. I need to see the frame, inside between the motors.
Are you a collector or operator? How important is it for you to be specifically accurate and original?
Whatever your predilections, I think some of these are questions you have to answer. For me, it would be enough at this point just to have a Standard Gauge 402.
Is that possible to swap E-Units? How does a 402 go from having a Pendulum E-Unit to having a Manual reversing E-Unit? You think that is what the previous owner must have done? Does it hurt the value? I mean its not the same as when it came from the factory. You think I should look for the original E-Unit online and see if I get one and put the 402 back to the way it was originally? Thanks.
If something was swapped I would think the e unit as may have died and they found a manual one to put in place of it.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
What do you think has been swapped? The cab has been removed and a 402 with an E stamped on the door was placed on a 402 frame and wheels with a manual reversing unit? Humm, What should I do? Try to find an original 402 cab with no E stamped on it? Thank you very much Lionelsoni
The concern here is whether a locomotive with a manual reversing switch should have an "E" designation on the door. I would say no, that something has been swapped.
Bob Nelson
My 318 has a lever on it and it is used to switch the directions of the loco. The lever puts the loco in forward and reverse, but if you leave the lever in the middle it is like neutral.
I have an 8E and the lever turns the e-unit on or off not forward or back wards ( I think anyway lol ) I do know it works forward nuetral reverse with the switch one way
Haven't run the set in about 2 years
I just picked up a 402 locomotive at a train meet. But, I am a little worried that it is not completely original. The numbering and lettering are in black. Says Lionel and 402, but has a black "E" stamped on the door in the middle of the loco. But, I read my books and they say that I have a 402E. But, my 402 has a manual lever to change directions. Is this rare? Is this original? Or did someone swap body or shell?? It runs just fine and works in both directions. I am just wondering if the "E" on the door is supposed to be there or not. Thanks any help will do.
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