I’ve finally begun to model the American freedom train in HO scale using the Lionel cars and a bachmann locomotive, but I plan to make the rest of the cars for the train. I am curious to know what passenger cars I should use? (prefferably low budget). I plan to do a lot of kitbash so as far as parts go I have everything I need including a 3d printer.
When RyPN gets over its DDoS access problem, ask over there (Railway Preservation News • View forum - Interchange) for prototype information and pictures. The guy who set it up and had it built commonly posts there.
If you’re doing this in Lionel you almost assuredly won’t be building to scale, so ‘creative interpretation’ of the window arrangements and exhibits inside the cars would be needed. You’ll want small photo reproductions of the documents, so plan accordingly…
Are you modeling the 1947-49 train or the 1975-76 train?
The former was mostly Pennsy P70 coaches modified for the train.
The more recent train had displays set u-p in lightweight baggage cars, mostly former NYC, as well as lightweight equipment from other railroads, including a few Reading commuter coaches.
Either way this site has some good information about car rosters and dispositions.
Good Luck, Ed
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Woke, he is doing it in HO scale, not O gauge.
If you’re not familiar with it, Lionel has made several forays into HO scale. He is planning on using a Bachmann Locomotive, and “Lionel” passenger cars, which IIRC were also built by Bachmann, for Lionel.
I don’t recall the exact year, but I believe it was around 2003, that Lionel produced some UP Veranda Turbines, and Challengers in HO, and did an Extremely Credible job of it, with detailing that would rival Brass, and included full dual mode DCC, and Sound.
Lionel did two versions of the GTEL’s, Silver trucks, and Grey trucks, in two road numbers each for a total of four distinct models.
Lionel also did the UP Challengers (Late) in Four versions:
Black, Coal Fired, No Smoke Lifters
Black, Oil Fired, With Smoke Lifters
Two Tone Grey with Silver Stripes and Lettering, Oil Fired with Smoke Lifters
Two Tone Grey with Yellow Stripes and Lettering, Oil Fired with Smoke Lifters
They also did a Rio Grande version, Black, Coal Fired, No Smoke Lifters
Lionel also produced a Clinchfield version, which they even did a Correct single stack boiler casting, for what was likely the lowest volume selling version in the collection, but still modeled it Accurately for the state in which they were used in service, as they were purchased from the War Production Board, after the Rio Grande returned them after their leases expired. The Clinchfield then converted them from double stacks to single stack, after they were on the property
In the Challengers, Lionel also did two road numbers in each version, for a total of Twelve distinctive models.
There is no denying that Lionel produced a lot of Non Scale “Models” in “O Gauge “, 027, and HO, but you might be surprised by the number of SCALE models that Lionel has produced. Some were Scale Sized, but not necessarily Road Specific in Detailing, but Lionel has done an extensive number of very accurate models in 3 Rail Scale, which Yes, does still use 3 Rail track, oversized flanges and the “Lobster Claw” couplers to remain inter-Compatible with other 3 Rail equipment and controls, otherwise is often Extremely Accurate in dimensions and Details.
Aside from being powered from the third rail, the flanges and couplers, Lionels high end models, such as the “Joshua Lionel Cowen” (JLC) series, and the later “Vision Line” ( essentially the JLC Series, with a new name), Lionel’s premium models rival most Brass in details and accuracy.
I wish that I could access the photos trapped in my crashed laptop, the detais on my JLC H7 “Simple Simon” ( in Union Pacific) would surprise many, and in O Scale the details are much more evident, one of my Personal Favorites, is the Southern Pacific AC-9, while not of the JLC, or Vision Line series, is still an Extremely well detailed and Accurate model
Many modeling in HO or N Scales would likely be Surprised that much of what has been produced in the last 30 or so years, ain’t your GrandPa’s Lionel
Doug
I haven’t tried to post photos since the sale of Kalmbach, so let’s see if I can make this work
Here are some pics that I stole from online, they are not My Models, but of models similar to my own
The Weathered H7, may be a modeler done weathering, or a later factory weathered version
The Beautiful AC-9
These may be later versions than my own, but the main differences would be in the electronics and possibly factory weathering option, the detailing would be very similar, and I would have to have them side by side to determine if there were any detailing changes, nothing significant enough to be quickly noticeable
The pictures don’t do these models justice, especially when posting, as I am, or viewing, on the small screen of a cell phone
The sounds in O Scale are much more impressive than in HO or N
Doug
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These photos show up pretty nicely.
And on my iPhone, no less.
Rich
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Thank You,
I have enough stored away in HO, O and a little in Gauge 1(AKA “G Scale) to open a small train store. I don’t, and likely won’t have space for a layout, and haven’t even had anything under the Christmas Tree 
in a couple years. Under the Tree, is what got me into O Gauge, I had been an HO modeler for over 35 years, but putting HO, especially Steam, on the floor with a Golden Retriever was problematic. She didn’t bother the trains, Other than her Hair, That was a problem.
In 2005, I went to my LTS, and said, “ Hey Charlie, you know that I am an HO guy, but dog hair is becoming a problem under the Tree. I need some Lionel for the Tree. It needs to be Steam, gotta be UP, half a dozen freight cars, track and transformer “
Well there wasn’t any “Set” in stock with what I wanted, so we pieced together what I needed ( yeah, I KNOW that Union Pacific never had any Hudsons, but this was for the Christmas Tree)
I took it home, set it up under the tree, and was HOOKED by the “BIG Trains”. The very next weekend, I was back at Whistlestop, and an MTH passenger set with an F3 and cars in Armour Yellow and Harbor Mist Grey went home with me, and I haven’t looked back. I don’t think that I have bought anything in HO since, but my O Gauge/Scale collection has grown beyond what my HO scale collection was
I have been considering selling a lot off, especially the HO, I don’t want to saddle the Wife and/or Kids with that much, as many modelers often do. I have 60 coming up this year, and with my situation, it’s time to really start thinking about that
Doug
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Great story, Doug.
Rich
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