001E, 002E, 003E and 004E
Lionel only made one type of locomotive. A model of the New York Central Hudson steam engine. All Lionel models had the same 5342 number on the cab.
The model numbers were numbers are usually rubber stamped on the inside of the cab roof. The 001 locomotive can be found with the catalog number stamped into the metal ashpan under the cab (1938-39) and no number rubber stamped in the cab or with a blank ash pan and the number in the cab (1939-42). The other locomotives come with blank ash pans and the number in the cab.
001E and 002E were three rail locomotives while the 003E and 004E are two rail locomotives. All locos can be found with or without whistle tenders. All engines have three position reverse units and run on AC current.
The 001E and 003E were super detailed locomotives with added parts. The 002E and 004E were semi-scale locomotives with less trim. An 002E with tender is shown above.
Here are some close up pictures showing some variations:
Comparison of super-detailed (top) and semi scale locomotives.
Comparison of super-detailed (left) and semi scale boiler fronts. Notice the added coupler and number board on the super detailed loco.
Comparison of super-detailed (top) and semi scale locomotives. Notice the added detail on the top locomotive.
All locos can be found with large or small catalog numbers.
Super detailed tender (top) has added handrails and underframe details. Two rail 003W on top has whistle and ground plug. 002T on bottom is for three rail and lacks ground wire.
Top view of tenders. 003W on left, 002T on right.