Been a while since I’ve been here on the CTT forums.
I’ll cut right to the chase, so I avoid writing a whole novel here like I usually do [(-D]
I recently bought an Ives wide gauge “set”, consisting of a 3241, and 4 cars- a pair of 184 “buffet” and 186 “observation” cars. One set of cars was overall more intact than the other, and my intent when I bought them was to use one pair to supply parts to finish off the more complete ones, and then I could use what remained for a custom project.
When they arrived, I discovered that there were some details I failed to notice in the listing- I assumed the two sets of cars were identical- aside from the fact that I noted that one set of cars had pickup rollers, and the other did not. But on personal inspection, I discovered the cars were actually significantly different! Despite carrying the same reporting marks, the actual dies used to make the carbodies were very different.
The illuminated cars featured smaller windows, with the hand-painted “stained glass” section having a flat top. Doors and end diaphrams are embossed into the carbodies, and the rear platform of the observation car features a singular large handle, presumably a break handle.
On the non-illuminated cars, the doors and diaphrams are seperately applied parts. Additionally, the seperately applied doors have seperately applied doorknobs (the other cars have embosssed simulated knobs)! The observation platform features a break wheel and two chairs facing the end of the car. The physical assembly is similar to the illuminated ones, but the windows are larger, with the stained glass portion being a large arch instead of having a flat top. There are also some ornamental windows punched out above the rear window.
Another notable difference is the illuminated cars were designed with simple “hinges” on one side of the car, and catches on the other, so one could open t