What's the difference between these 2 tenders if any? I own both and they appear identical but have different stamping designations. Thanks for your input!
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Generally speaking for any Lionel product, an "X" indicates the item differs in some fashion warranting a distinction. The specific difference denoted by such markings by Lionel were never consistent. A few examples:
- Enhanced/Added Details - ie. the addition of handrails to a tender normally not equipped
- Deleted details - ie. the lack of handrails on a tender that normally has handrails
- (Prewar) coupler height
- Indication of belonging to a set when generally separate sale
- Indication of listed for separate sale when generally part of a set
- ...
Looking at the 390 variations specifically in my library of books,it seems the real difference between the 390T and the 390T/390X is that the 390T uses 500 series vs 200 series for the 390X
I don't have anything concrete to go on, but I wonder if the distinction between 390X and the 390TX has to do with brass vs copper trim for the locomotive/tender outfit.
That is correct: the 390X has the larger 200-series trucks, which effectively raise the coupler height,enabling it to mate with 200-series freight cars.
Thanks Blue Comet...The Lionel 390e is a great looking loco and the ability to switch out the 390t tender to the 390x or 390tx really let's you run a variety of standard gauge freight and passenger configurations.
Was there another locomotive in Lionel's Standard Gauge lineup that was ever this versatile?
@BlueComet, the trucks were the identified difference between the 390T and the 390X. The question is what is the difference between the 390X and the 390TX... Are you saying the 390TX has 500 series wheels like the 390T? If so, then that still leaves us with the essentially same question of what is different between the 390T and the 390TX...
390-T= 500 series truck assembly, straight drawbar
390-TX= 200 series truck assembly. Draw bar has 1/4 height adjustment in the shank.
390-X= 200 series truck assembly. Draw bar has 1/4 height adjustment in the shank.
As far as I know ... There is no difference in the "X" marked tenders... except for the rubber stamping.
Thanks for the replies...I guess it's just one of those factory anomalies that goes along with all the others! Part of the fun of tinplate trains!
@Rex K posted:Thanks for the replies...I guess it's just one of those factory anomalies that goes along with all the others! Part of the fun of tinplate trains!
Hah, you should try Flyer if you think thats "an anomaly"... LOL!
No kidding 😅...my dad's 1935 Amfly is a 9915...the one year streamlined aluminum one piece loco and tender!
