Lionel No 38 Questions

Jake,

It would have pulled the, 10 & 100 series freight cars and the early 30 series passenger (early boxed sets). If you install a combination latch style coupler it would be able to pull most anything. Its pulling power depends upon which motor it has. Some of the #33, #38 & #50 came with super motors. I hope this helps.

God Bless,

"Pappy"

The # 38 does not pull very well so , my two can only pull 2 cars well .  Anything more and they struggle.

Glenn

I scanned through the Standard Catalog of Prewar, and came up with four sets that the #38 headed.  The #38 was available from 1913-1924, and the sets were numbered Set 39-- 38 loco, 116 Ballast, 117 Caboose

Set 40-- 38 loco, 35 Pullman, 35 Pullman, 36 Observation

Set 41-- 38 loco, 112 Gondola, 113 Cattle Car, 114 Boxcar, 117 Caboose

set 45-- 38 loco, 31 Combine, 32 Mail, 35 Pullman, 36 Observation

Thanks for that information.  I'll pass it along to my friend.