Hello, I am trying to find some parts for my standard Gauge 390E. Been unable to find the parts. I am looking for the railings that go the length of the boiler on both sides, stanchions to hold the railing on, complete pilot truck, complete rear truck, cotter pins to hold these trucks in place, and a new roller for the roller pickup assembly. Anyone know where I can find all these parts?? Would it not be recommended to run my 390E with flaked front and rear trucks?? thanks.
You will probably have to make the railings by bending brass rod stock. There are some nice bending jigs for doing this that won’t break the bank. I’ll see if I can find a link. I’ve gotten most of my Standard Gauge rrepair parts from Brassuer’s in Saginaw, MI. Here is a link to their web site:
Very nice folks to deal with. Whenever I get up to Saginaw to visit relatives, I try to stop by.
The bender is from K&S and uses a standard work bench vice to hold the tool. It usually runs about $12-18.
Mini WIre Bender
Micor Mark has several other ones as well:
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Department&ID=88
I went to Olsen’s. they seemed to have all the parts i needed for under $60 for all the parts. They seem to have everything. Would it hurt the value of my 390E if i was to replace the front and rear trucks with reproductions, but still kept the originals in case i wanted to resell?? But the trucks that are on there now are not in usable condition and i want to swap them with repro’s. Because of the age, it is expected to replace the wheels at some point, thats why i would think it would not hurt the value. Thanks.
Not appreciably. Certainly, an all-original one will bring a premium, but ONLY if it is all original and intact, Ex+. All-original with repro wheels is better than all original with trashed wheels.
Good, I agree with you on that one. So i guess i will replace those bad trucks and put on repro’s. I just want the loco to run on the track nice and smooth. thanks.
Here is another place for standard gauge parts. enjoy.
http://www.geocities.com/modelengineeringworks/lionelstdguage.html
If you order from Olsen, dont use pay-pal. I did and it took 2 weeks to get here. I called them and the excuse they gave me is that it takes 5-7 days to process pay-pal orders.
When I order the handrails for my 390E, do I have to bend them to make them fit or do they come pre-bent?? Says they are 12 inches long and .072" in diameter. I guess that is the right size according to my repair book. do I just have to bend them so they go into the boiler?? thanks.
If all else were to fail, MTH markets a Reproduction 390E for $600. All the parts must be available from there repair department.
I really want an original 384, 384E, 385E, 390E, or 392E to add to my standard collection. These are hard to find in EX condition. I guess I will have to try at York Train Show in April. They got to have some. Not sure how many they will have or how much they will cost. But, I am hearing $600 to $700 for a decent one. thanks.
If your not a regular “Yorke”, remember, it takes time to view 1,500 tables and booths. When looking over 8 halls full of trains (and only trains), if you find something that “may” suit your need, mark down the Hall and Table number. You might never find the location again. If you find what you really want, beat down the asked price, it’s expected.
Don U. TCA 73-5735
Is it common for standard gauge locomotives to have on/off switches on them?? because my 10E has an on/off switch underneath behind the driver on the frame. The switch just cuts power to motor, like putting the loco in neutral. Just wondering if this is common to have these on/off switches on standard gauge locos?? As for steam engines i have seen them on top of the boiler, seems like there are holes made for additions like on/off switches to these locos. thanks.
Hello Lionel2!
The Switches you refer to reverse the engine. They do not turn them on/off at all. They were used before Lionel installed the now Famous E-Units in their Trains after their takeover of the Ives Corporation in the fall of 1929(After a meeting with the Executives from American Flyer & Harry Ives) afterwards Lionel now had the rights to the Reverse Unit that was developed by Ives in the mid 1920s. Take Care.
The manual switch on SG engines is intended for reversing direction, not as an on/off switch. Of course an E unit equipped engine doesn’t need a manual reversing switch. Sounds like someone has added the manual kill switch to your 10E. To the best of my knowledge none of Lionels SG engines came with an on/off switch. Reverse switches on non E-unit equipped engines…absolutely!
Bruce Webster
BTW…Hi Keith![:D]
Bruce
Howdy Bruce!
Almost time for Corvair Season. How is the yellow 63 doing these days? You should drive down here to Ohio sometime for a weekend & visit the OTTS Museum & Annabelles Diner on a Saturday Night. We sure would like to see you. Take Care.
Will this little switch hurt the value of my 10E??? Yes, it indeed does put the engine in neutral and cuts all power routed to the motor, its like a little silver switch with a rounded top of lever. Because on the bottom of the frame there are little holes as if these switches just screw down onto those holes, like they were meant to be added onto the frame, as an addition of soome sort. thanks.
I doubt it hurts the value much if at all, just as long as the installation wasn’t a butcher job. The value is really dependant on it’s condition, it’s color and it’s running gear type. To the operator this added kill switch would be benefitial, especially with more than one E-unit controlled engine on the layout at the same time. I can only assume but your factory looking kill switch ( sounds like you are discribing a toggle switch) could be mounted on the frame where a manual reverse switch would normally go. I think all # 10 frames were stamped to accept this, no matter if the engine was E equiped or not.
Bruce Webster
Yes, Its a toggle switch. But, is it okay for a steam loco to have one of these toggle switches right on top of the boiler?? pretruding through the boiler. Is this a normal add-on to steam locos?? thanks.
Hello Lionel2!
The Toggle Switch sounds like a Home-made Job as Lionel never used them to reverse engines. The Lever should be flat, not round. Toggle Switches are not a normal add on anyway although some have used them in their engines for reversing anyhow. Take Care.
Well, My 10E has a 3 position e-unit in it. because when i throttle down it will change to neutral throttle up its in reverse, throttle down its in neutral and so forth. I took it apart and found that it does indeed have an e-unit in it. and this toggle switch does not reverse the 10E, it only cuts power to motor like an on/off switch. I believe the power wire from pickup is wired to this toggle then to the e-unit. when i flip the switch the loco remains in place and does not move but the lights do light up, but no movement, like its in neutral or no power to motor. thanks.