April 2, 2025 - M.T.H. Electric Trains will be releasing the Tinplate Traditions Standard Gauge 400E Steam Locomotive in seven different schemes this Fall. The locomotives will be offered in Contemporary versions equipped with Proto-Sound 3.0 and synchronized puffing smoke as well as Traditional versions outfitted with a classic Bild-A-Loco motor and E-Unit. The locomotives will be produced in extremely limited quantities and will begin shipping to M.T.H. Authorized Retailers in December 2025. In addition, look for an upcoming announcement about matching Blue Comet passenger cars in complementing paint schemes later this Spring.

Check out each of these offerings HERE.

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

ABOUT THE TINPLATE TRADITIONS 400E STEAM LOCOMOTIVE OFFERINGS

"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.

Check out each of the offerings in this year's collection in the scrolling list at the bottom of the page.

OPERATING FEATURES

• Stamped Steel Boiler
• Die-Cast Metal Chassis
• Die-Cast Metal Tender Body
• Baked Enamel Finish
• Metal Handrails, Whistle and Bell
• Metal Wheels and Axles
• Metal Latch Couplers
• Prototypical Rule 17 Lighting (Contemporary Only)
• Constant Voltage LED Headlight (Contemporary Only)
• Operating LED Firebox Glow (Contemporary Only)
• Powerful Precision Flywheel-Equipped Motor (Contemporary Only)
• Synchronized Puffing ProtoSmoke System (Contemporary Only)
• Locomotive Speed Control In Scale MPH Increments (Contemporary Only)
• Onboard DCC/DCS Decoder (Contemporary Only)
• Proto-Sound 3.0 With The Digital Command System Featuring Passenger Station Proto-Effects (Contemporary Only)
• Operates On STD-42 Curves

  ---

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.

M.T.H. Tinplate Traditions standard gauge switches feature the same design and construction of the classic tubular track system developed by the original Lionel Corporation in the early 1900s. Each Std. Gauge switch will mate up with Tinplate Traditions and Lionel Corporation Tinplate Tubular Track and RealTrax Std. Gauge Track previously produced by M.T.H., as well as original Lionel standard gauge tubular track.

Each switch includes a built-in switch motor, a modern throw activation switch, and full instructions. Choose between regular 42" diameter curve and wide-radius curve models, each available in left and right-hand configurations in green or black colors.

Check out each of these offerings HERE.

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