I have seen an MTH 390 as well as the newly advertised 390E in the latest LCT catalog. Does any one if there really is a difference between these 2 engines?
Joe Gozzo
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cosmetically, there was no difference between the 390 (1932) and 390E (1932 and later). the difference was the upgraded 3-position reverse unit, but i cannot see how that would be a factor with modern production.
cheers...gary
overlandflyer posted:cosmetically, there was no difference between the 390 (1932) and 390E (1932 and later). the difference was the upgraded 3-position reverse unit, but i cannot see how that would be a factor with modern production.
cheers...gary
Thanks for the reply Gary, I would have never guessed that that's what it was
The 390 locos in the 2017 LCT Catalog all have Proto 3.0 sound and control systems so the conventional e-unit is not relevant with these engines.
The Lionel Classics 1-390E and 2-390E locos had traditional BAL motors and electro-mechanical e-units hence the "E" designation. They also had die cast mechanical "air whistles" in their respective tenders.
Trainlover160 posted:I have seen an MTH 390 as well as the newly advertised 390E in the latest LCT catalog. Does any one if there really is a difference between these 2 engines?
Joe Gozzo
maybe you were looking at the first paragraph which is background of the original.
Tinplate Art posted:The 390 locos in the 2017 LCT Catalog all have Proto 3.0 sound and control systems so the conventional e-unit is not relevant with these engines.
The Lionel Classics 1-390E and 2-390E locos had traditional BAL motors and electro-mechanical e-units hence the "E" designation. They also had die cast mechanical "air whistles" in their respective tenders.
My 390-E project has the BAL motor with drum commutator. I'm just asking as the BAL brushplate I bought turned out to be for the pancake commutator. What year was the switch from drum comm to pancake?
Answer may be in the LATEST Greenberg SG guide, published in 2014.
FIREWOOD:
Pages 238-242 have a very complete history of the THREE types of Bild-A-loco motors complete with detailed/labeled photographs. Both the disc type commutator and the drum type commutator are shown along with the different field lamination totals for Type 1, 2 and 3 motors. Dates for each type are discussed and your question should be answered.
FIREWOOD:
On further reading of the above referenced pages in the Greenberg Guide, the date for conversion from drum type commutator to disc type in the BAL motors occurred in 1932. Check with Jeff Kane of the Train Tender for the exact part you need for your motor. BTW, there were TWO different original types of brush holders for the drum type commutators!
Tinplate Art posted:FIREWOOD:
On further reading of the above referenced pages in the Greenberg Guide, the date for conversion from drum type commutator to disc type in the BAL motors occurred in 1932. Check with Jeff Kane of the Train Tender for the exact part you need for your motor. BTW, there were TWO different original types of brush holders for the drum type commutators!
Thank you Art, much appreciated!
Glad to help!
