Lionel 400E with 412, 413 & 416 State Cars

These Lionel prewar Standard Gauge pieces combine a No. 400E steam locomotive and tender with three of Lionel’s well-known State passenger cars: the No. 412 California, No. 413 Colorado and No. 416 New York observation.

The green passenger cars photographed for TrainReference are part of Lionel’s State-series equipment, which appeared in several prewar outfits and remains readily identifiable by its large Standard Gauge construction, two-tone finish and state-name car lettering.

At a Glance

• Manufacturer: Lionel
• Era: Prewar
• Gauge: Standard Gauge
• Locomotive shown: No. 400E
• Passenger cars shown: 412 California, 413 Colorado and 416 New York
• Car type: 412 and 413 Pullmans; 416 observation
• Finish shown: Two-tone green State cars

Lionel’s State Passenger Cars

Lionel’s State cars were among the company’s large prewar Standard Gauge passenger cars. Rather than using only railroad names, Lionel identified individual cars with state names.

The three cars photographed here are the No. 412 California Pullman, No. 413 Colorado Pullman and No. 416 New York observation. These numbers appear repeatedly in documented Lionel State outfits. A fourth State car, the No. 414 Illinois, was also included in some larger configurations.

Period outfits were not limited to one locomotive or one exact group of cars. State cars appeared behind different Lionel locomotives and in different configurations, which makes the individual car numbers and finishes important when identifying surviving equipment.

The 400E Locomotive

The No. 400E was one of Lionel’s large prewar Standard Gauge steam locomotives. Its substantial die-cast and sheet-metal construction, large drivers and elaborate trim made it one of the company’s premier locomotives of the period.

Collector documentation of Lionel’s 1932 catalog identifies Outfit 433E as a black 400E locomotive paired with green 412, 413 and 416 State cars. Other documented 400E outfits used entirely different passenger or freight equipment.

Because Lionel equipment has frequently been collected, traded and combined during the many decades since it was produced, the presence of a 400E and State cars together today does not by itself establish that the individual pieces were originally sold as one outfit.

Identifying the State Cars

• No. 412 California: Pullman passenger car
• No. 413 Colorado: Pullman passenger car
• No. 416 New York: Observation car

The TrainReference photographs also show the interiors with the roofs opened. These views are useful when comparing construction, seating, interior details and condition with other surviving State cars.

When evaluating prewar Lionel equipment, examine the paint, trim, lettering, journals, handrails, interiors and underside details carefully. Restoration and replacement parts are common on equipment of this age, and individual components may have been assembled into a group long after leaving the Lionel factory.

Original Photos

The photographs below show the Lionel 400E, tender and green State cars originally documented for TrainReference, including exterior, interior and locomotive underside views.

References and Further Reading

• Stout Auctions – Lionel Prewar Standard Gauge State Set Documentation
• O Gauge Railroading Forum – 1932 Lionel Catalog 400E Outfit Documentation

Related Lionel References

• Lionel 384E Black Standard Gauge Locomotive
• Lionel 700E Hudson 5344 – Prewar NYC Locomotive
• Browse all Lionel model train references

Current Lionel State Car and 400E Listings

Current eBay listings related to Lionel State cars and the 400E are shown below. Listings may include individual cars, locomotives, assembled groups, restored equipment and reproduction parts, so compare numbers, finishes and photographs carefully.

As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase.

Lionel Classics Standard Blue Comet 400-E Steam Locomotive & Tender 6-13103 NEW $1,299

Lionel 400-25 Green Car End for Coach State Car $25

Prewar Lionel Standard Gauge No.400E Blue Comet Steam Locomotive + 3 cars
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Lionel 13103 Blue Comet Standard Gauge 400E Steam Locomotive and Tender