New Christmas MTH 261e - looking for advise on add on cars

Red Comet cars would be a good match...

#603/604 type.

cheers...gary

[slightly off topic... it never occurred to me before today that the trouble people have with advice and advise is probably due to vice and vise both having the same pronunciation.  the memory rhyme i've seen suggested most often is "the wise, advise".]

If you want to a freight train, Sidetrack Hobbies has some LCT 2600 or 2800 series cars that might go nicely. The 2800 may seem a little big but that is a matter of taste. 

Relative view of the Red Comet and 603/604 cars, note the same tender is used.

Below is a 249  which is the same basic engine as the 261 with 600/601/602 (2600/2601/2602) cars.  These also look really good with this size of loco.

"600/601/602 (2600/2601/2602) cars"

OK I think I get it now ... didn't realize that the 600 series became the 2600 series.

That will help me a lot.

I was also looking at Ives cars #1690 on ebay ... anyone know what size they are ?

Well, just to make it confusing, there was also an early smaller set of 600 passenger cars, something like 1915- 1923 or 27, something like that.  They are smaller and of an earlier design. I don't have a picture handy, but you can probably look them up for reference.  Either way, you would want the later ones like I posted above to match your loco. Red on Red was also one of the more common colors of the later 600/2600 series passenger cars so maybe great for a Christmas train.

The 1690 cars are a bit smaller, probably a bit to small to look right in my opinion.  Lionel also some those same cars.  I think they were born out of the Lionel-Ives transition period and thus were labeled Ives and later Lionel for their life. They would look good with something like a 259E or 1688/1668 027 Torpedo locos.

Thanks for setting me straight Dennis.

Wow this tinplate stuff is confusing ... I thought I found something and then noticed the cars has 2 wheels per truck not 4. I assume at this point if I was to look for freight cars I need to stick with the 600 or 2600 series again, like a caboose 2657.

BTW Dennis, if you get bored with those passenger cars of yours let me know

 I like prewar passenger sets..

BTW, how does that new engine run?  I've been thinking about getting one of the Commodore Vanderbilt sets for some time...

Actually it runs a little stiff going forward when it starts out. I did oil & grease it before running as well.

The more it runs, the better it goes. No issue running in reverse.

OK ... I found two cars #603 & 604 with lighting on ebay.
This will be start ...

yamawho posted:

OK ... I found two cars #603 & 604 with lighting on ebay.
This will be start ...

for a mixed consist, add a 655 boxcar or a 651 flat (note: it's also green!) loaded up with Christmas trees.

cheers...gary

YAMAWHO,

   The 600/2600 series rolling stock matches your 261E, check out the train shows in your area, usually you can pick up some real nice rolling stock for decent prices at the Train shows.  I like the original Lionel stuff best.  However I have lots different Tin and love it all!

PCRR/Dave

One of my 600/2600 work consist sit on the 2nd level siding without the old 249 Engine and Tender, the 1st level shows the 263E Work Train with both series Crane Cars at opposite ends of the Bridge.

Dave, tinplate is not common up here.
Finding it is difficult and if you do, prices are double what they should be.
Trips to antique malls when I am visiting in the US or ebay are my only options unless it pops up on OGR.
The MTH 261e engine I purchased in photo above is new in box from a member on OGR.

Yam,

  Roger that!

Good luck with trying to find the Tin you want!

PCRR/Dave

Dennis Holler posted:

 I like prewar passenger sets..

 

 

yes but you have a condition........

Well they came in today. Took a while to get all the carbon off the wheels but all seems good.
I noticed these cars don't have black tanks, are they late 30's ?
I decided to get these since the box couplers look new and the wheels looked operational, after all I got these to run

very nice!