Reply to "Building and Evolution of a Railroading Focused 50’s Era, 027 Lionel Train Layout"

Post 44a 9/9/2017 Revised 5-27-2024

Common Trains Run on the Layout - Passenger Trains -

One of the first buildings installed on the layout was a Plasticville Passenger Union Station. I usually have at least one passenger train on the layout.

Early on when I started with a few Marx and Lionel engines a set of Marx’s Santa Fe 3152 and 3197 tin passengers cars (10” long) found me for a reasonable $10 for three cars. Lionel 2400 series cars were going for $25-35 per car back in the 1970s.

I added lights and a power pickup (made from Brass shim stock) to the observation car and added a Lionel coupler to a coach car to allow both Marx and Lionel coal tenders to pull the set.

I put together a set of Lionel 027, 2400 passenger cars (11” long) from finding bodies and buying roofs, domes and window with silhouettes.

I make the base frames from sheet metal and added wheels and couplings making the electric pick - ups. I cut the couplings off the short trucks and bolted the coupling to the body as I did not have the extended passenger couplings. I have made two Lionel series 2400 sets.

A 4 car set of Lionel 027 Santa Fe 16000 (same size as 2400) cars (#16060) were also picked up.

Later I found a three car set of Lionel O27 Baby Madison 9500 series “The Milwaukee Road” passenger cars (12” long)(in front). A second observation car was found too. General 9541 Railway Express Agency Cars on rear train in picture.

I had a people set of US Presidents and made a ”IKE” lighted drum head sign and installed President Eisenhower and VP Nixon figures campaigning on the observation cars platform at the end.

I also run the Lionel General 1862 or 8005 with two Lionel 9541 Santa Fe Railway Agency Express Passenger cars (11" long). One came with lighted interior and the other was from a cheaper Lionel 8005 General set without lights. I added lights and homemade light pickups. I have yet to get some General Passenger cars.

Here are two smaller train depots or stations on my layout. The first is a Plasticville station behind Main Street buildings, in an industrial area with red stripped Lionel Santa Fe 16000s.