Lionel Aluminum Passenger Cars

This will be more of bump for your question rather than an answer.

I've done one of these and, unlike the Postwar versions, you aren't really removing the shell as much as you are removing everything from the shell.  For example, on the PW version, the frame was slid into the shell.  On your newer version, the interior is slid into the aluminum shell, and the frame is attached to the interior.

Can't answer your question.  FWIW, here is the parts layout from LIONEL's website.

Thanks for the info. I have a soft spot for PW stuff. This will help me if I get PW stuff. 

There are two things about these aluminum observation cars:

1.  The metal frames slide into slots in the body shell; you have to pull the frame out from one end to separate it from the shell, it does not just drop down if you remove the screws in it. You need to take the end cap/vestibule assembly (part 23 in the photo below) off of the front end of the car and detach the wiring that feeds power to the overhead lighting. To free the frame to slide  you might also have to remove the underbody detail assembly but I think you might have done that already. A shot of WD40 where the frame fits in the slot helps. See also point 2 below.

2.  It's useful to look at the Lionel replacement parts page for this car, which is here: https://www.lionelsupport.com/...22-9c59-ec6c6a336300

Here's the parts photo: 

What this shows is that at the "boat tail" (rear) end of the car there is a very long screw that goes through the frame up into the car's tail section roof piece. It is part 21 in the photo. That has to come out to allow the frame to slide out. 

Good luck!

Thanks for the help. I'll try this and report back. 

Got it! Thanks for the help. Are the Vista Done cars about the same process? 

Trainlover9943 posted:

Got it! Thanks for the help. Are the Vista Done cars about the same process? 

Less complicated in that there's no long screw between the frame and a roof section, but what I don't remember is how the wiring for the dome lights attaches to the track power wiring that will be at one end or the other of the car. If you still have the manual for this set check what it says about replacing the light bulbs as I think that had a diagram showing how to detach the wires. Otherwise it should be the same basic frame and slot arrangement.

Thanks. I'll check the manual. Thanks for the help! 

Hi Matt,

Take a look at this link below, with these passenger cars you might have to remove the brake cylinders

LINK - https://ogrforum.com/t...uminum-passenger-car

Alex

Thanks for the help, Alex. The Vista car was a bear to slide out. 

Anybody know what size figures Lionel used in the cars. They look awful small. 

Those are standard figures used Lionel aluminum streamlined cars based on K-Line tooling. They are in fact the figures that Lionel appears to be "recycling" in the new seated passenger sets issued in connection with the 21" ABS cars that do not come with passenger figures already in place. SKU is 6-83653.

Yes, they are sub-O scale, more like S scale. Reason is that the interiors of these cars are themselves sub-scale and true 1/48 scale passengers don't fit. The MTH Railking passenger figure sets, which have more variety, are similarly undersized.

Thanks. So if I want more figures either buy S scale ones or the new figures (83653)