I think I might be a little late to the game with answering your question. 1st, that MTH E-33 is one nice looking electric! congrats on the pick-up at that price!
My father has a Lionel Virginian E-33 (1-8659) from the MPC era produced in 1977 & 1978. The engine has Magnetraction & traction tires. The Magnetraction is not as strong as Postwar engines or locos that I have but it's there. I assume the traction tires were added later but I'm not sure. That said, my father also has a New Haven E-33 from the Lionel MPC era which also has magnetraction and traction tires.
In regards to 1990s Lionel E-33s, I believe a 1995 or 1996 catalog had a Virginian set, with the engine in the correct color scheme, that has traction tires- I believe.
