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break from the manufacturing techniques used for previous Lionel
steam locomotives.
The Classic Era Steam locomotives had heavy, one-piece diecast
frames. The diecast steam chest and smokebox front (boiler front) and
heavy sheet metal boiler added weight. Initially, the new Lionel
locomotives had bright brass and copper trim that distinguished them
from the early Lionel steam locomotives. Later, Classic Steam
locomotives had nickeled trim. Real-world locomotives by 1900 were
no longer festooned with copper, brass, or nickeled trim since their
operating environment was dirty. Lionel designers had concluded that
highly interpretative designs emphasizing massive proportions and
No. 402 was one of the first Lionel locomotives constructed from large sheet metal bright trim would increase sales.
sections primarily fastened together with tabs and slots. The locomotive also had a Because of the Great Depression, in the 1930s Lionel’s sales fell
heavy steel frame which added to its tractive power. These construction changes were precipitously. As sales of the premium-priced Standard Gauge
applied to all of the Classic Electric Locomotives created in the 1920s.
equipment declined, Lionel shifted its emphasis to O Gauge. Lionel
offered new O gauge models in 1934 and continued to offer Standard
Gauge sets in its catalogs through 1939. The last individual items were
Another key component of offered in 1940.
the Revolution of 1923
was the single, large brass The marketing emphasis on highly interpretative models peaked in
insert on each side that the early 1930s. Subsequently, Lionel began to move back towards
created the windows, door realism with its new O gauge models. The emphasis shifted entirely
and two letter-number towards realism in 1937 with the No.700 Hudson Scale Model (except
boards. Lionel put for the 1937 Blue Comet).
“LIONEL” rather than a In the 1950s collectors and operators rediscovered Standard Gauge
real railroad roadname as trains. They needed replacement parts; many locomotives would not
the key identifier. operate because their cast-metal components deteriorated due to
impurities in the casting alloys. With time, new small businesses began
making Standard Gauge parts; then in the 1970s reproductions were
were built primarily using a new method of body construction – made. Today Mike Wolf and his company, MTH, manufacture
large-stamped components assembled with tabs and little soldering. Standard Gauge trains for Lionel under the Lionel Corporation
The new construction method required elaborate and expensive tooling Tinplate trademark. As a result, Standard Gauge equipment is a vibrant
and larger presses to stamp and fold metal parts. Previously, Lionel had part of the toy train market again.
built all of its trains by soldering together relatively small pieces of Lionel experienced its greatest sales in 1953, when nearly $33
metal. From 1923 on, all Lionel’s new sheet metal locomotives and million in Lionel train sets were sold. Joshua Lionel Cowen retired in
rolling stock models were built with large stamped components 1958, with his majority interest in Lionel sold to his great-nephew. As
assembled by tabs. the popularity of the automobile took off and families flipped the
To be profitable, volume was key. Lionel enjoyed greatly increased switch on their new televisions and that became a new focus for
sales, presumably due to the enhanced visual appeal of the new trains, families, the Golden Age of Railroading—and Model Railroading—
while the major manufacturing change gave Lionel significant cost began to fade. Cowen passed away on September 8, 1965.
advantages over its competitors Ives and American Flyer. Collectors and aficionados keep the model train hobby alive to this
Lionel also made an important change in locomotive markings in day, with shows, collections, and museums drawing a broader audience
1923 by adding both the word “LIONEL” and the locomotive number than ever to the movement of the train.
“402” or “380” on brass plates on the locomotive sides. Previously,
locomotives and rolling stock were rubber-stamped with accurate
reproductions of real railroad logos and numbers for the New York
Central, Pennsylvania; New York, New Haven & Hartford; Lake
Shore, etc.
Lionel used a cost-efficient method when they added the brass
plates. One large plate was inserted on each side of the locomotive
cab. Punched openings in the locomotive cab fitted the window,
door, and letter board sections of the brass plates.
The shiny brass plates attracted customers and turned out to be
an excellent merchandising tool. Retailers also gained easy-to-read
model numbers. The 1937 No. 400E locomotive was a spectacular sight with two-tone
blue paint finish and bright nickel trim. Because of revived demand,
Fourth Period: Classic Era Steam 1929-1939 Lionel reproduced this locomotive in 1990.

Bruce Greenberg is president at
The 1937 No. 400E locomotive was a spectacular sight with a
two-tone blue paint finish and bright nickel trim. Because of revived Greenberg Properties, Inc. in New
demand, Lionel reproduced this locomotive in 1990. Alexandria, Virginia, and the author of
Ives, Lionel’s most important Standard Gauge competitor, several books on model railroads,
introduced new improved locomotives in 1927 and 1928. including Greenberg’s Repair &
Consequently, Lionel offered a completely new Standard Gauge Operating Manual for Lionel Trains,
locomotive, the No. 390, in 1929. In 1930, Lionel introduced its first Greenberg’s Guide to Lionel Trains
No. 390E Blue Comet locomotive with a two-tone blue paint and 1945-1969 Volumes 1-6, and
copper trim. In 1937, Lionel’s No. 400E Blue Comet had a bright blue Greenberg’s Guide to Lionel Trains
boiler and nickel trim. 1970-1997 Volumes 1-3, along with
The new steam locomotive family grew to six locomotives: Nos. several pricing guides and catalogs.
384 /384E, 400E, 392E, 385E, and 1835E, which are known as Classic
Era Steam. These Classic Era Steam locomotives were a complete photo: https://paw.princeton.edu/

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