Pre-war Lionel passenger car.

Dave McEntarfer's Book on Lionel Sets, does list two 609 cars along with the 611, both Blue with Aluminum roof, produced in 1937.  The 1937 Sets were 49F5974 (Sears), and Set 6500E.  The Sears set shows the loco as either 264E or 265E, and the 6500E set lists 265E.  Three other sets were produced in 1940, 41, & 42, with different locos.  All of these sets have an * which indicates a Special or Promotional set.

THanks for the info-I have to look for the book on Lionel sets.  I looked in to a glass display case (dark) and found some  607 & 608 cars. A couple original green paints and several repaints.  I should check my collection more often. Going to put them on my layout and run them all. Thanks again. Appreciate the loco info.

Are you sure the car has a latch coupler? The latch coupler is usually silver in color and needs to be moved by hand, and usually used before 1935.

I have some pre war from around 1938 that has box & pin couplers, the box is dark in color. The box & pin couplers hide the pins when connected together, were used in the late 1930's.

Lee Fritz

Lee, That series of car (603/4, 607/8, 609/11) never had anything but latch couplers. The earlier body of 603/4 cars had hook and slot.  If you have some late cars that have box couplers, I would like to see some photos!

They have latch couplers, I know what box couplers are. I have some cars with them.  I have two 9 1/2" passengers cars with original paint-2630 &  2640 with box couplers.  Don't have a 265E engine thugh so will pull them  with something else.

the 609 / 611 blue and silver cars also came in several uncataloged sets. These cars were introduced in '37 as already stated, and the last tin electric locomotive was dropped in '36 so these cars never has an electric loco as power, only steam. Along with a 264 / 265 loco, a 259E, 262E, and a 249 would also be good choices.

All my info said 1937 only but no colors and I read 37 was the last yer for latches. I like the box couplers.  I turned a 2630 coach with a box coupler in to a transition car by putting a knuckle coupler on one end. I have several identical cars with knuckle couplers so I can run them together.  I appreciate the info on the engines. I have a 262E coupled to 6 of the cars now and it pulls easy.

Rob English posted:

Lee, That series of car (603/4, 607/8, 609/11) never had anything but latch couplers. The earlier body of 603/4 cars had hook and slot.  If you have some late cars that have box couplers, I would like to see some photos!

Maybe I got the dates or numbers mixed up a little but I am not talking about the 603 to 609.

I have 4 # 2640 Pullman cars and 2 # 2641 Observation cars, and I have added a second third rail roller to help keep down light flickering. Also have some other pre war cars; # 2653 & 3659. The engines I have are a 224E & a 249E, both have the tenders they came with.

Lee Fritz

phillyreading posted:

Rob English posted:

Lee, That series of car (603/4, 607/8, 609/11) never had anything but latch couplers. The earlier body of 603/4 cars had hook and slot.  If you have some late cars that have box couplers, I would like to see some photos!

Maybe I got the dates or numbers mixed up a little but I am not talking about the 603 to 609.

I have 4 # 2640 Pullman cars and 2 # 2641 Observation cars, and I have added a second third rail roller to help keep down light flickering. Also have some other pre war cars; # 2653 & 3659. The engines I have are a 224E & a 249E, both have the tenders they came with.

Lee Fritz

Thanks Lee, your post wasn't clear to me.  There are a number of Lionel Pax cars series that came with box couplers.