400E "brass"

I don't own one. I have two black MTH 400e engines. I don't have photos of the trim with me. 

Here is a link to the original copper version. I believe Lionel made copper and nickel versions, but not brass. 

https://www.liveauctioneers.co...ue-comet-set-w-3-obs

I think the journals on the tender should be brass and the flag stanchions and ladders should be brass. It looks like the bell is nickel in this photo. 

In the photos on this page, the bell is brass. 

http://www.dakotapaul.com/items/showitem.asp?iid=1344

Here's another one. It looks like the firebox door should be brass as well on the copper comet. 

https://marketplace.trainzauct...offer/details/409054

You might try parts dealers to find the brass trim to replace your nickel trim.

George

Thanks, George.

On my original blue comet all those nickel parts you show are in fact gold.

Thanks.  In the 2016 Tinplate catalog, MTH offered both the nickel and brass trim 400E.  However, they only offered the nickel trim Comet cars.  I believe that the 2016 “brass” 400E was trimmed with almost exclusively nickel in an effort to make it better match the nickel trimmed cars.  That’s just my theory.  In any case, I was unhappy with the non-brass 400E (11-1052-1) so I returned it.

Michael: SORRY about your disappointment! For what it's worth, the nickel trim does not tarnish and it doesn't require a laquer to protect it. Of course, it is a matter of personal aesthetic preference. My favorite repro 400E is the Lionel Classics dark grey version with ALL nickel trim from about 1990, which also has a diecast air whistle in the tender albeit with an electronic, and NOT mechanical, relay - go figure! The color is almost a faux gunmetal.

That does sound nice but another version of the 400E wasn't an option.  My problem was I'd already purchased some Blue Comet cars in brass trim.  I put the cart in front of the horse!  So I needed a matching Blue Comet brass engine.  To be clear, the engine I received was a very cool looking engine.  I hated to return it for a couple reasons.  First, I paid for the return shipping.  And second, since there was nothing technically wrong with the engine, I was reluctant to make the dealer accept the return.  I thought about it for a week and finally decided I couldn't live with it.  So I sent it back.  I've done a lot of business with this dealer and I'm happy he offered to take it back.  I'm going to get the new blue/brass 390E for now and wait for a real brass 400E in the future.

Hopefully, things will work out to your satisfaction! Good luck! :-)