Uncataloged Std. Gauge Tinplate Traditions 400E Steam Locomotive Announced

August 27, 2025 - M.T.H. Electric Trains has announced an exclusive and uncataloged Tinplate Traditions Std. Gauge 400E Steam Locomotive in unique NASA livery for M.T.H. Authorized Retailer Toy Exchange in Mt. Airy, Maryland. The locomotives will be available in very limited quantities on a first-come, first-served basis beginning in December 2025.

Item No. 10-1364-1 NASA 400E Std. Gauge Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0
Early Order Price: $1,499.95 (plus freight)
Click HERE to order from the Toy Exchange.

Item No. 10-1364-0 NASA 400E Tinplate Steam Engine (Traditional)
Early Order Price: $1,499.95 (plus freight)
Click HERE to order from the Toy Exchange.

ABOUT THE TINPLATE TRADITIONS 400E STEAM LOCOMOTIVE

“The largest and most powerful model locomotive ever built,” proclaimed the 1931 catalog that introduced the 400E. Lionel spared no hyperbole in announcing its new steam engine: “Never before in the history of model train building has such a powerful locomotive been offered the American boy. This new 400E is the master of them all — a veritable giant of the rails.

“In its creation, Lionel engineers have faithfully reproduced in steel, copper, brass and nickel, all of those fine and minute details that are found only in the largest, most modern railroad engines. Its long, low lines, its beauty of color and design and its mechanical precision opens the door for every boy to greater fun and enjoyment.”

The catalog cover depicted a real engineer praising the model to a pair of knicker-clad boys: “‘Just like mine’ says Bob Butterfield, engineer of the 20th Century Limited.” Apparently the engineer of the New York Central 4-6-4 Hudson ignored the fact that the 400E was short one set of drivers, to enable it to negotiate standard gauge curves. The inside of the catalog featured three more engineers praising the realism of Lionel’s models, with the slogan “Lionel trains are the trains railroad men buy for their boys.” Outfit No. 423E, a freight set headed by the 400E, would set you back $72.50 in 1931 — about the same price as a train trip from Chicago to San Francisco, including a sixteen-day stay in the city by the bay.

Order directly from:

The Toy Exchange
1001 Twin Arch Road, #12
Mt. Airy, MD 21771
301-829-0700
Email: toyxchange@comcast.net
Toy Exchange Website

Standard Gauge Tubular Switches, last seen in the Lionel Corporation Tinplate lineup, have returned to the M.T.H. Tinplate Traditions product line and are now in stock.

Check out each of these offerings HERE.

These items are available to order from your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.

M.T.H. Electric Trains will be releasing two new DCS Cables later this year that will allow users to connect a DCS Handheld Remote and the Lionel® TMCC, Legacy or Base 3 command control hardware the DCS WTIU WiFI Track Interface Device. The cables will be available from M.T.H. Authorized Retailers in November 2025.

Check out each of these offerings HERE.

These items are available to order from your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.