this months O gauge magazine has a reference to sheet and tube ore cars sponsored by the Catholic War Veterans. my experience buying Lionel rolling stock sight unseen hasn't been very successful since there seems to be no way to differentiate between scale and gauge without hands on. is there anyone here who can look at the pics and tell me the size? page 14..i guess it wouldn't be against the forum rules in this case to put this link in
thanks
joe
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This is the regular ore car (plastic version) that Lionel has been making since the mid 1980s.
This is the regular ore car (plastic version) that Lionel has been making since the mid 1980s.
thanks
Lionel's plastic ore cars are scale-sized in length and height, but are about 3/16" shy of scale width.
I hope this helps.
Todd
The Lionel ore cars I have bought are always under scale.Your best bet is RMT ore cars or MTH Premiere line.Nick
For a size comparison, left to right is...MTH...Lionel diecast...Lionel plastic
Lionel's plastic ore cars are scale-sized in length and height, but are about 3/16" shy of scale width.
...
They -- along with MTH's -- are also way overpriced at $49.95 MSRP these days. 
I agree that the RMT ore cars currently available for $25/car are a much better price/performance offering. Lots of great detail as well. 
David
The RMT cars are more detailed.
Don
I like the RMT Ore Cars too. 
I have over 100 of them right now.
Walter/RMT-D
I repainted most of my ore cars and lettered them the same. Like many mining railroads, they bought their cars in batches. Each batch a little different. I like the look of different makes mixed in a train. Don
Great scene. I like that box cab electric too.
Lionel's plastic ore cars are scale-sized in length and height, but are about 3/16" shy of scale width.
...
They -- along with MTH's -- are also way overpriced at $49.95 MSRP these days. I agree that the RMT ore cars currently available for $25/car are a much better price/performance offering. Lots of great detail as well.
David
What isn't overpriced anymore? I was looking at these for the road name. Based on the pics from Keith if they're die cast I'll probably buy a couple for the road name. I bought some Lionel ore cars from eBay and was disappointed by the size. I don't have enough Lionel experience to decide from the picture if they're plastic or die cast. I was trying to avoid a phone call to the seller.
joe
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