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 This is Lionel's No.9E, made from 1928 through 1935. It was meant to model the New York Central's T-1 boxcab electric, 'though it was not quite as true to the original as the Lionel No.8.  Come to think of it, none of Lionel's tinplate trains were truly accurate to the real thing -- but they sure were fun! This brute was built to haul the larger 200-series freights and the later medium-sized 400-series passenger cars.

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Built by McCoy Manufacturing Company in 1974 for the TCA (Train Collectors Association) national convention, this loco is rubber-stamped with the TCA membership number of the buyer -- in this case #1308. It was based on the Ives #1764, which used as its prototype a New Haven 4-4-4 boxcab electric "motor". The McCoy model has a manual reverse switch and working headlights, and is outfitted with a Lionel-style latch coupler on one end and an American Flyer-style hook coupler on the other. It works like a champ and is a real puller!

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So, how big IS Standard Gauge? Well, the track is 2 & 1/8th inches between the outer rails, as opposed to O-Gauge's 1 & 1/4 inch between the rails. But it's easier to see the relative size difference from this picture. Shown are an O-Gauge No.248, an O-Gauge No.251, a Standard Gauge No.8, and a Standard Gauge No.9.  The No.9 has a frame length of 14.5", whereas the No.248 has a frame length of only 7.5".

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A Standard Gauge beauty, the No.384 loco with No.384T tender was the least expensive Standard Gauge steam loco offered by Lionel during the early depression years. Nonetheless, it was treasured by many little boys (and their fathers) who could only dream of the much larger and more expensive 400E. The example shown has been restored and is equally at home on a display shelf or on the layout! Pictured with the 384 are a 514 reefer and a 517 caboose -- both repros by MTH.

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The 400E was the largest Standard Gauge steamer offered by Lionel, and was built from 1931 through 1939 in a number of color and trim variations. This reproduction by MTH Electric trains was offered in 1997 with MTH's Protosound and Protosmoke systems, as well as a whoppin' big can motor. The original was never offered with a smoke system, 'though it did come with a whistle tender from 1935-39, and "chuggers" were offered in a number of variations.

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