Lionel Classic 400 E Blue Comet and Std Gauge Freight Questions

Would run smoother and look better on 072 curvature. Lionel Classics also issued a nice freight set (13001) in 1990 with 500 series freight cars and a two tone green 318E loco.

1) don't run an operational locomotive for years and you will eventually wind up with a static display, but then that's what you were shooting for, right?

2) if at least 16 of them are 36" radius, yes.  #400 locomotives will run on 42" diameter curves (at least original ones will), but they look ... silly is the only word that comes to mind.

3) for ~$500 -$600 you can pick up a fairly decent original #384 locomotive and  3 - 4 500 series freight cars w/ a caboose.  higher end original Lionel is still pricey, but #384's and #385's in common liveries are selling dirt cheap, IMO.  you can always buy the new stuff and the headaches that go along with them, or bank on a typically reliable original set, ... probably with a story, too.

4) i have both #200 and #500 series freight cars, but for a #384/ #385 size loco, the 500 cars will definitely look better.

good luck...gary

Buy what you like. 200 series cars are bigger than 500 series.

The 400E is quite large compared to other STD gauge. The big electrics in Lionel are the 381 and 408.

STD gauge comes in small,medium and large.

All pre-war STD gauge and all reproduction STD gauge will run on 42 curves. Like all gauges the wider the curve the better it looks.

F&G RY posted:

 ... All pre-war STD gauge and all reproduction STD gauge will run on 42 curves. Like all gauges the wider the curve the better it looks. ...

thanks, Jim, i wasn't 100% sure.  i have two original #400's but have only run one once on an old track sectional layout i threw together.  sorry to use such strong language in my description, but i still stand by my words.  probably why i am a fan of the #384; IMO the only SG locomotive that looks ok on prewar track.

and in case you are unaware... USA Track for quality, new, SG tinplate track.

cheers...gary