Okay first ill answer your questions, then some history. 1835E's never came with copper trim, the engine is restored. 500 is way too much. i would say 350 is more like it. The 384T tender is correct for th 1835E but only for 1934 production....
Lionel catalogued the 385E from 1933-39, and the 1835E from 1934-39. They are the same engine as far as basic tooling goes. The 1835E was a low priced loco and the 385E was more expensive. In 1933 the 385E was made in dark gunmetal with copper trim and a 384t tender. It had a nickeled bild a loco motor and red wheels with solid front pilot wheels. In 1934 the loco was the same except it had nickel trim with black wheels and some came with the new 385T ives style tender.This year lionel switched to the blackened bild a loco and the brushplatre now read STANDARD-LOCOMOTIVE. on most 1934 models the front pilot wheels were also solid. In 1935-37 the locos remained the same except now they had a chugger and a whistle in the 385TW and the pony wheels were all spoked. In 1938-39 the chugger disappeared and the LL keystone plates were now chrome instead on brass. Sometime between 36-37 Lionel replaced the nickel trim with noticeably brighter chrome.
The 1835E is essentially a 385E with painted trim and no chugger. The boiler was assembled complete with all trim and then painted satin black. The only brightwork on the boiler is the LL keystone and the nickeled handrails. The engines follow the same timeline as far as wheels and motors go as the 385E, and the tender linearity is similar as well. The engine in question has copper trim because thats what it is under the paint and somepeople dont realize it was painted from the factory or they just like the look of it better. Always inspect the diecast somponents for cracks and warping.
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If you are looking for a rare train, ask i might surprise you with an asking price!!! A guy asked if i liked fast track, and i replied i used t-rail. He said eww that old stuff you bolt together???? Ignorance must be bliss!
