Starting in the September 1994 issue of CTT’s, Michael Connor wrote a series on “cheap " collectible classics. The first issue focused on 027 single dome tank cars. This was followed in proceeding issues by scout 8” long box cars, short hoppers & gondolas, and ending with cabooses. I’ve just got one tank car to go to complete this series (no it’s not the 16114 Hooker). This has been great fun and mostly “cheap”. Can’t wait to move onto the the box cars.
Thanks Mike for having written this series. It’s added immensely to my “having fun with trains”.
Papa-D
24 March 2013 I’m adding this summary to assist anyone interested in collecting this series of “cheap” classic 8" single dome tank cars. The original “cheap” classic article consists of the following 9 single dome tank cars:
I love the “scout” series cars, especially the “plug door” boxcars. Somehow smaller engines like a 2018 or 2036 look so much more massive with a string of shorter cars behind them. They’re a great size for small layouts. And I remember the series of articles, I was sad to see it end!
I’ll start with the 9050 Sunoco tank car. It was the first one released in the modren era in 1970. Other than the plastic frame, it is very similar to the post-war 6015 Sunoco Tank Car. In the Sept '94 CTT article its price is listed as $20 in mint condition. It is fairly common and can still be purchased for about the same price. Remember part of collecting cheap classics is not over paying!
The next two are the Mobilgas tank cars released in 1978; numbers 9036 and 9039. From my experience these are the most common of the modern era 027 single dome tank cars. They can still be found for $15 to $20, only a little more than the price back in '94. Both have black end caps. They are often found without the brake wheel which is the same as used on box cars so they’re inexpensive to replaced.
Thank you Papa_D, for remembering the articles and posting the pictures. This does bring back memories. I would have loved to have done a sequel to the series, but shortly after they were published, Lionel stopped making several of the types I wrote about. The two bay hoppers were one of the items that were and are being produced, but they have made so many and several of them were in sets so I stopped collecting them. The new Scout set features the one dome tank car and the plug door box car in an expansion set so there is hope some more of those types will be made.
It is great that readers of Classic Toy Trains are still getting value from Mike Connor’s terrific series of “Cheap Classics.” I enjoyed working with Mike on those articles–he is one of the nicest and most helpful fellows you’ll meet in the toy train hobby–with a wonderful wife Maryellen–and have maintained a friendship ever since that has enriched my years in toy trains.
I hope everyone reading this thread will keep searching for those modern-era Lionel cars and have fun with them.
I also think it is great that the magazine is not solely dedicated to hobbyists that can afford the latest four figure engine offerings. That article, which I still remember, helps to underline the fact that the hobby is for anyone who enjoys O/O27 trains.
Shown is the 16114 Hooker tank car released in 1991. I think this is one of the best looking ones in the group. It was by far the most difficult for me to find. It was only offered for one year as part of a low end set (Santa Fe 11729). Back in '94 the article noted that the price for this car didn’t reflect its rarity. This remains true today. My 2008 Greenbery price guide shows a price of $13 in excellent condition. I paid $30 and it is in very good but not excellent condition. I’ve continued to look for another one but without success thus far; part of the fun of collecting Cheap Classics.
Here are the three Alaska single dome tank cars, numbers 6308, 16111, and 16129 released in '82, 93, and 94, respectively. I think the Mobilgas tank cars have more appealing graphics, but just the word “Alaska” somehow commands a higher price. The price for these tend to be all over the place with the blue 6308 generally averaging the highest, with a guide price of $27 in excellent condition. The guide price for the other two is ~$22 each in excellent condition.There are currently 3 of each for sale on ebay with a high price of $57 for the 16129 and a low of $32 for the 16111 and a spread of prices in-between. If you’re patient you can buy each for about $22 total.
The last two from the '94 article are the Racing Fuel (16108) and Firestone (9051) released in '89/'92 and '75, respectively. The one I’m missing is the Firestone. I had oppoutunities to buy serveral at around $20 but spent my train budget at the time on what I thought were better buys. Recently there was a Firestone 027 tank car listed on ebay under “Buy It Now” that totalled $115 with shipping. Needless to say it didn’t sell.
After the '94 article was written, until recently only two additional 8" single dome tank cars were released; Clearly Canadian (16147) in '94 and ZEP Chemical (16149) in '95. Guide price for either is in the mid $40 range. The Clearly Canadian is very attractive with graphics on the end caps. The only such one in the series.
What made collecting these tank cars attractive to me was the relative small number made it both cost and display space feasible.
In 2010 Lionel released an expansion pack that included a LINEX Gasoline Tank Car (6035X) and a 8" Airex Box Car (6014X). Each can be bought on ebay for about $42 including shipping. Not sure I want to buy either. I think I’ll define “classic” as something 10 year old or older. This will give me something to look forward to collecting in 2020.
Once I acquire the Firestone tank car, I’ll complete this thread with a photo of it and the entire series on my display shelving. After that unless someone starts it first I’ll move on to the Box Cars.
Writing this threat has been fun for me. Thanks to “Green Streak RR” for the nudge on posting photos. It forced me to learn how to do this (not hard). This should further add to my enjoyment of this forum in the future.
ha
