Steam Loco Size

Pennsy had more I1 Decapods than any other locomotive.   Next in line for freight was the M1a/b mountain. IMO.

Third Rail decapod top, and Weaver M1a bottom shelf.  Both with long haul tenders.

That reefer looks like it is sitting way too high on the trucks in the photo.    The wheels should be underneath so that the tops of the flanges are not really visible I think.

On the other hand, you are right, Lionel did not make many scale size steamers taht I am aware of in that era.     I think the scale Hudson would look right, but it is a passenger engine.    The only other Lionel loco that I have heard is scale size is a PRR 0-6-0 switcher.

The Lionel Bershire came out in the late 40s, but I think it is undersized too.   

The Lionel F-unit diesels and GP7s are pretty much scale size.

A Weaver Pennsy C1 0-8-0, and K Line Pennsy B6 0-6-0.

A couple of other movers/shifters, as the Pennsy called them.

A Weaver A5. 0-4-0 and a Rich Yoder GE 44 tonner. 

Yard shifter diesels, Atlas SW9's

All models pictured are Lionel TMCC command control.

As PRRjim pointed out above you car is sitting about 3/8" too high because of the trucks and bolsters. Among others the Lionel NW2 is close to scale size, actually oversize in a few dimensions to accommodate the motor.

Edit, I noticed you specified steam engine. In that case I think only the Lionel PRR 0-6-0 701 would be appropriate for a period engine.

Postwar Lionel

Modern Lionel

Pete

A Lionel scale Hudson?? Otherwise it might be a All Nation or other smaller manufacture or importer O scale loco.  

Many thanks for all the swell comments and straight thinking. I'm just getting back into the wonderful train hobby after 45 years... have fallen in love with the wooden kit cars. I'm now sure, thanks to the shared info the trucks are incorrect. Will replace and by lowering the reefer whilst matched with one of the suggested Locos / Shifters would  settle my problem. So much has changed in this field it's almost unbelievable.  Learning something every hour.

Drive Link,

The problem with the car height above the trucks is due to the postwar metal trucks used.

These trucks (and just about all other brand 3-rail trucks except Weaver) are designed to be mounted directly on the underside of the car floor.

Those wood kits (and most other 2-rail cars) have bolsters attached to the car floor for truck mounting.

You can either install Weaver trucks to the bolsters with a washer or two for flange clearance.....or remove the bolsters and screw the 3-rail trucks directly to the floor, again with a washer or two if more clearance is needed.

You may also have to trim some underbody detail to allow for sufficient truck swing.

Jim

Drive Link posted:

Many thanks for all the swell comments and straight thinking. I'm just getting back into the wonderful train hobby after 45 years... have fallen in love with the wooden kit cars. I'm now sure, thanks to the shared info the trucks are incorrect. Will replace and by lowering the reefer whilst matched with one of the suggested Locos / Shifters would  settle my problem. So much has changed in this field it's almost unbelievable.  Learning something every hour.

FYI, This is the Pre War scale 0-6-0.

This is the 1990 Lionel reissue which can be had for a fraction of the price of the one above.

Pete

"no period Lionel Loco is large enough."

If I understand what you mean by "period", the above is not true.

"Old" Lionel locos that are 1:48 scale are the above PRR 0-6-0, the NYC 700E-based (detailing may vary) Hudsons (produced as late as 1990), the offshoot of the 700E Hudsons, the Commodore Vanderbilt, the Hiawatha 4-4-2 (actually the slightly larger 17/64 scale, I've read) the EMD F3 A and B unit diesels, the NW-2, the GP7/9, the FM Trainmaster.

Can't think of any more, but all the above are the right size for All-Nation and the like.

Don't be afraid of the "new gear". It runs so much better than most of the "old gear".

You're 72? Big deal; I'll be 69 next month. I have mostly "new gear". 

Mullet River caboose frame on a Weaver truck.  Note that I added a spacer as Jim P. suggested.

I think you are asking what would have been available back then.  you would have been looking for a Scale craft NY central Hudson or Pennsy K4 for your pass train or a Saginaw H10  they used to pull freight.  Hines made a mike 2-8-2  Or better yet you can check with Jim DeBruin in another O scale mag. he is documenting the history of all the old manufactures and doing a great job for all of us older fellows, and the young folks who may be interested. By todays standards they are a bit crude. BUT BOY WERE THEY FUN!!!  Franky-Ogee

Guys, I've got to step back a bit before I can go on with learning all the wonderful tips, hints, and knowledge so freely given, and so happily received...... those will take a while to fully appreciate..... I cannot remember when I've been treated with such kindness and genuine help. Joining the OGR Forum has been so much more than I could have imagined.. I'm a total newbie at this. It is a wonderful experience. I hope that I can help share someday. I've got a lot of catching up to do! Profound thanks and Happy Weekend!  Griff.

 Super and OK.. I've had a go at all the info and it has helped so much. Found a set of low profile trucks in my parts box and they have lowered the reefer to acceptable limits I suspect. I should have realized the ones on it were incorrect, but that's how she came. Live and learn from everyone's swell help. Dug all the pics of trains, and close-ups of wheel mounting, very nice work ...Liked the Switcher engines, locos and all. You guys have forgotten more about model trains that I'll ever know! ... and Franky-Ogee, Man-alive.. thank you so much for answering my question. I have had a field day grooving on "Scale-Craft"- Hines and Saginaw starting with images off the net. There are cool pics of George Hines working in his shop on a lathe which looks much like the one my Dad built. Pops was a fantastic engineer/ machinist. Pressing on and learning.. will someday match up my consist with a  vintage engine I love. It's crazy, but was remembering the 1950's squeeze tube of AMBROID  with the picture frame, wire hanging screw which sealed the top. Those were also busy Balsa stick and paper plane days back then. Many thanks for sharing.....

A comment about the notes above, PRR had more decapods than any other freight loco, 598 according to Stauffers book    However, second was not an M1 or M1a/b, it was the L1 Mikado.   PRR had 574 of them, again according to staufffer.      There were 201 M1s and 100 M1a/b for a total of 301.

In 3 rail Weaver did an M1a and an L1.    Williams did an L1.    Sunset also did a 3-rail version of the I1.    There are probably more that I am not aware of.

Slightly smaller but a very nice model, Weaver did a PRR H10 2-8-0 in 3 rail.    

Williams did a USRA MIkado in 3 rail in many road names that is a pretty decent model.   

All those locos are basically scale size with compromises made to accomodate 3 rail curves.     Note 2 rail engines also have compromises, but generally not as obvious.