Can anyone tell me more about these? From the rather murky pictures I’ve seen of 'em, a train would look good behind my 1668 2-6-2…
VTY,
Mitch
Specificly, the 4 set Rail Chief cars were catagorized as prewar 072 and painted maroon with red sides. Their open ends at the rear of the front coach (#792) both ends of the 2 mid coaches ( # 793) and front of the observation (#794) attach to a truck vestibule giving the whole assembly a decidedly streamlined look. Lionel offered these cars in a set headed by the famous 700E Hudson from 1937 to 1941. Rail Chief was actually the name of the complete set rather than the cars themselves. Other sets that used the same cars, numbered differently and painted to match their particular set engines were the Hiawatha and City of Portland. Production was between 1934 to 1941.
Bruce Webster
O72, eh? Nertz. Not on my 042 layout, it don’t. Ah, well. Anyone got a junker Zephyr set I can kitbash? ;D
Mitch
These cars might handle 042 curves. Someone who has them would know for sure. Judging from their design I don’t see why they wouldn’t. I think they received the 072 designation only because that was the tightest curve the Hudson in the set could handle.
Bruce Webster
The Railchief cars will not work on O42 curves (the vestubles hang up) and are limited to O72 curves. They are identical to the Hiawatha cars and were made to go behind the scale hudson. The cars are quite heavy and a 1668 will likely have trouble pulling them.
Hello Mitch!
Lionel made some Streamline Passenger cars for 0-27 Gauge. They are the 1673-74 series cars & are similar to the Flying Yankee Cars in size & looks. They are red in color & were made for 1668s,1688s, & 1689E Engine/Tender combo’s. As mentioned above, the Rail Chief cars would be too heavy for a 1668 to pull. They are somewhat hard to find, depending where you live in the country. I see them on ebay every now & then & you could try some of the Auction Houses such as Stout & New England Toy Train Exchange. BTW- If you do buy the 1670 series cars, you will have to change the Latch Coupler on the Tender to a Hook Coupler as this is what was used to pull the cars. Take Care.
Yes, the tinplate passenger cars you mention are better suited. BTW, LTI re-issued Railchief cars in 1990 to go with the 5340 hudson. Still they only work on O72 curves or larger and are just as heavy as the origionals. They go for pretty cheap since everyone wants the re-issued Irvington cars to go with thier Hudsons.
Thankee! Sounds like that’s what I’ll start looking for, then! 
Mitch
Oh, could you point me towards some pics? Thanks!
Mitch
Hello Mitch!
The TCA published a book on Prewar Lionel & it is now out of print. However, check with your local library & ask if they have: Lionel-Standard of the World 1900-1942. Inside of this book are photo’s of the 1673-74 cars. If your Library does not have this book,ask if they can do an interlibrary loan & see if they can find one for you to borrow. Also do a google search & see what kind of photos you can find for the 1673-74 cars. David Doyle’s book on prewar Lionel should show some photo’s of the cars also. Hope this helps. Take Care.