Blue Comet 385?

is that an O gauge locomotive??

If it is I may have front and/or rear trucks.

According to Greenberg's new tome on Lionel's Standard Gauge, the only 395E boiler color that has shown up is "Gunmetal" the 1933 - 1939 period of production.

The truck design and wheels varied quite a bit over these years. Do you have brass or nickel trim?

Ron M

It is Standard Gauge. And it definitely looks original to me. I don't know how to get a picture off my cell phone onto the forum. The only Blue Comet I can find is a 390, but there is so much difference between the 385 and 390 that it is impossible to mix them up. And again this appears all original, two tone blue with brass/copper trim, red drive wheels and the keystone for the emblem on the cab (emblem is missing also). E-unit lever is on the top just in front of the cab.

Wasn't the Blue Comet only available as a 400e?

In 1930 (first year for the Blue Comet) the loco was a 390E. In 1931 the outfit was headed by the new 400E.

Ron M

The first Blue Comet in 1930 was headed by a 390E. The top of the line 400E replaced the 390E the next year. In 1932 only, a black 392E headed the set.

Blue comet colors original in the 390 and 400.  The 385 was Gunmetal only.  There was also an 1835 which is practically identical to the 385, but in gloss black.

99% possible: very well done, older repaint

1% possible: original, only one, nobody knows about it, worth $1M.

Take a picture and send it to Bruce Greenberg.

trying to get a picture, bare with me

Some of the gunmetal 385's had brass and copper trim.

Looks to me like some one did a very nice repaint, and that it was some time ago.  The missing plates on the engine and the tender are an indication. Either they never made it back on after painting, or they fell off soon after because their tabs had been bent one too many times.

But I am not a Lionel expert.  

It just doesn't seam like a repaint to me, the inside of the boiler is the same color and it just looks original?

Seriously, send some photos to Bruce Greenberg.  He invites people to let him know about things that may be unusual.  I'm no expert; you may have something there.

brucecgreenberg1@gmail.com

That sounds like a good idea, I will try and do that tomorrow.

Franks Roundhouse made a 385 in Blue.

Here is a link. Scroll down and click on MTH tinplate and the screen will enlarge.

One difference I noted is that the Franks 385 is a short tender where Tims tender is a long one.