Can anyone explain as to why are the 390E , the 400E and the 600E named after those specific numbers ?

What do you mean "original 600E"?  Lionel never made a 600E.

Just a guess on the 400E vs the 600E:  the initial digit reflects the number of drivers.  I'm sure that number had no bearing on the Lionel catalog number, but I would not be surprised of the 600E was numbered thus to emphasize its primary attraction.

I have thought about this for several years and wondered how they arrived at the numbers. It seems that the larger the engine, the higher the number might be the system they used. The one that always baffled me was the 1835e. All the other classic period SG steamers have 3-digit catalog numbers, so I've always wondered how Lionel arrived at that number.

"Lionel never made a 600E."

Who made this one?

Liberty Lines: http://www.tcawestern.org/liberty.htm

@Arthur P. Bloom posted:

"Lionel never made a 600E."

Who made this one?

Not Lionel

I can see that, since it says "New York Central" instead of "Lionel Lines."

But, since the question was "Who made this one?" do we know who made it?

@Arthur P. Bloom posted:

But, since the question was "Who made this one?" do we know who made it?

Yes, already posted:

@bmoran4 posted:

Liberty Lines: http://www.tcawestern.org/liberty.htm

Harlan K. Creswell, and NOT Lionel!

Anyone have one in black for sale?

@Arthur P. Bloom posted:

Anyone have one in black for sale?

There were c. 25 of these made, I doubt you will find one, unless you follow the auctions and it still may take a long time to find one. 

You would have better luck contacting someone like Jim Waterman to see if he has made something similar.

Arthur - I would recommend you read the linked article about these engines, I think it would answer any questions.  There were only 25 Hudson models made, selling for $730 in 1979.  Last one sold at auction in 2017 went for $5,000.  Happy hunting!

This is close. A Waterman Hudson I got a few months ago. They are built to order. These are based on the old Harmon tooling.

Steve

Hi Steve,

Is the JIM WATERMAN HUDSON most suitable to run ( Scale and Size Wise )

with the LIONEL STATE Passenger Cars or with the LIONEL the COMET Passenger Cars ?

Norman

@OGRNorman posted:

Hi Steve,

Is the JIM WATERMAN HUDSON most suitable to run ( Scale and Size Wise )

with the LIONEL STATE Passenger Cars or with the LIONEL the COMET Passenger Cars ?

Norman

I would guess State Cars. The freight cars I am pulling with it are Forney which are bigger than 200 series freights.

Steve