Question re Lionel #902 tinplate gondola car.

@Mannyrock, the 902 Gondola is one of 3 900 series number cars that really are just 800 series rolling stock.

The 900 Ammunition car was issued from 1917-1921 and was essentially an early 800 series boxcar.

The 901 Gondola car, issued from 1917-1927 is basically an early 800 series car with a 901 numbering.

The 902 Gondola is a second generation 800 series car issued from ~1927-34

Wow.  Thanks B Moran.  Exactly what I wanted to know.

I think the 900 Ammunition cars go for big money, but are these 901 and 902s regarded as "weak-sisters" or second-rate  wanna-bees to the early 800 series, and thus not as desirable to collectors?

And, why are there only three 900's of this type in the series?

Thx,

Mannyrock

The 901 and 902 cars don't seem to be "special" to collectors - they are just 800 series cars. As to why the jump to 900, I'm not sure there is a definitive documented reason.

The 900 is special because it it was only offered along with the 203 Armored Locomotive which is also extremely desirable.

...the other thing to remember is the low survival rate for the 900 car - they were ammunition cars so they had a tendency to explode...