After my traditional 392E developed an e-unit problem, I decided to replace it with a traditional orange #9E (1999). The Western Depot had exactly ONE in stock. My new #9 will be assigned to the Lionel Classics early series passenger cars, which are finished in cream with orange roofs. Since these cars have the large 10 series wheels, they should mate well with the #9E.
Ironically, when I checked the 392E one final time before shipping to the new owner, the e-unit worked! By then, I had already paid for the #9, and needed the cash from the sale of the #392 to pay for it!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tinplate Art,
I received my MTH traditional orange #9 today in a PRISTINE MTH shipping carton from the Western Depot. This engine (10-1104-0) was in the 1999 catalog, and it was the LAST new one available in the country, according to the Product Locator. It will take the place of my gray traditional 392E (10-1254-0) pulling a set of the Lionel Classics early production coaches (#18,19,& 190) with cream bodies and orange roofs. The orange of the #9 is a shade darker than the roofs of the passenger cars, but it is close enough! It runs well on the 042 inner loop, since it is an 0-B-0. My version also has the raised (clerestory?) roof, making it sit higher, and more closely matching the early coaches (in the Lionel parlance of the early years: "parlor cars").
By the way, the folks at Western Depot are NICE to deal with and their merchandise is exactly as described! This engine has that wonderful HIGH GLOSS finish, and it looks a if it rolled off the production line yesterday!
OH HAPPY DAY!!
SORRY - no photos - I am digital camera impaired!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tinplate Art,
Art, Is your 9E a traditional engine or does it have Proto 2? Last year I purchased a 9E in two tone green Stephen Girard colors with the traditional Bld-A-Loco motor and it runs and sounds smooth as a kitten. I'm pulling the Stephen Girard cars with it and it really makes a great looking consist. Good luck with yours. Whoops! sorry about the question. I just realized you referred to your engine as traditional. In any event, enjoy it.
Posts: 367 | Location: Laurel Springs, New Jersey,USA | Registered:: March 31, 2001
congrats....thats my fav i have 3 and always looking for more i have the stephen,a dark green,and the xmas red/green wish they would make the stephen cars red/green for a xmas set !!!!!!! terry
Posts: 123 | Location: pittsburgh pa | Registered:: January 13, 2006
I lubricated my #9 earlier today and it is a smooth runner. I had to carefully bend the coupler shank slightly upwards to mate with the Lionel Classics consist. The early passenger cars have the 200 series wheels with large truck frames, which makes them sit a little higher than the 200 freight cars.
Next to the classic Stephen Girard two-tone green livery, the orange #9 has always been a favorite, and having some passenger cars in orange/cream livery makes a NICE trainset!
By then, I had already paid for the #9, and needed the cash from the sale of the #392 to pay for it! 
It will take the place of my gray traditional 392E (10-1254-0) pulling a set of the Lionel Classics early production coaches (#18,19,& 190) with cream bodies and orange roofs. The orange of the #9 is a shade darker than the roofs of the passenger cars, but it is close enough! 
