Lionel tinplate passenger cars 600 series differences

Lots of variatons.  Tanks up until about 1934-5 and then switched to the pan.  There was overlap. Some later cars from uncataloged sets came with no pans or journals, ex light blue and silver 609 & 611. Same cars as 603/4 & 607/8. There were many color variatons and I feel like I've seen some time lines discussed that I can agree with based on my limited experience. FWIW, the all red car you show above is thesecomd version of the red comet cars circa 1936 with pans. The green car was also popular in several sets.  It can also be found with and wihout pans/ tanks.

If you search for lionel 603 passenger car, one site you should see will be from train99 and it does a nice job of covering some of the details.

also, they all had latch couplers. Any with box couplers were modifide. The recent MTH cars make this change easy as the coupler is screwed on unlike the Lionel original cars

Thanks Dennis ... here is the link you are referring to.

http://www.train99.com/ency/lionel1/pass/l607sra.html

YAMAWHO, Doyle missed a lot of information on variations, as described in the train99 link.  If you want to read about the variations, with the pan vs. no pan, coupler type, etc., you need Greenberg's Guide to Prewar 1901-1942, 0 & 00, Vol. II.  His book explains a majority of that.  He is starting on an Update, to this exact book, with extensive updates, from reliable collectors.  Of course, it will be a few years before the Update becomes available. 

Gentlemen,

   Here is the thing, that really separates the rolling stock to me, besides the size.  Sure there are different small engineering detail that differ, however to me the big difference is the couplers, on both the passenger and the work rolling stock.  I weeded the latch type coupler rolling stock pretty much out of my Tin Plate collection.  I like the auto couplers on both the 600/2600 series and the 800/2800 series far greater than I like any of the Latch Couplers Rolling Stock.  This is just me however many collectors and runners alike, prefer the Latch Couplers!  My original 263E Work Train came with auto couplers and IMO they are part of what makes Tin Plate so great.  

I have lots of different rolling stock, different guys keep purchasing my passenger cars, and foolishly I let them go.  The work train cars and the Box Cars, for some reason I can't give up.  A little while back I purchased the new Lionel Islay's Sky Scraper Ice Cream Cone Box Car, from one of the forum members.   It's like band new, not a mark on her, and I got her at a very reasonable price.  The 600 & 800 series Box Car will never be traded or sold.  You bet it has Auto-Couplers!

PCRR/Dave

The colors on this new Lionel Islay's Box Car are fantastic!  Just behind it you see my most favorite piece of rolling stock.  The original Lionel 800 Series Crane Car.  As a boy I played with it with my Grandfather an Engineering Inventor in his own right, creating Tin Plate memories that have helped shape my entire life, and inspired my NASA Engineering Career.  IMO nothing comes close to Tin Plate Trains.

Me and my Grandpa Christmas morning 1949-1950.

600/2600 rolling stock (NFL Steelers Train) on 2nd level pulled by the Lionel Black 259E, with the Gun Metal Gray Upgraded ERR 249 Lionel Engine and 600 Consist on far right siding, waiting track entry.

 263E P2 Work Train outside 1st level.

Thanks Dave for sharing.

Since my MTH 261e came with box couplers, I was looking and found two cars they had those.
However, two cars is not enough and I'm looking to add a few more. I assume the latch couplers will work with box couplers but if I wanted to swap out latch couplers ... where would new ones be sold ?

In the late 30's did cars also come with box couplers ?

the latch couplers work fine with the box couplers.

YAM,

   Yes there were Auto-Couplers in the 30's and you might want to attend a few Train Shows in your area, they usually have them available.  You might even find some real nice original Tin Plate rolling stock to add to your train collection.

As noted the Latch Couplers work fine with the Auto Couplers, remember to match car size.  Further Lionel made transition pins for Tin Plate rolling stock also.

PCRR/Dave