I have the post -war set with the F-3 Santa Fe 2343 A-B-A units and three extruded aluminum streamlined cars of which Silver Cloud 2355 is one, along with the dome car and observation car. I have two questions. 1) Am I missing a car? Didn't this consist include a baggage car? Question 2) There is absolutely no way these cars (15 inches long) will navigate an 0-31 curve. Maybe one curve piece, but not more without derailing. They barely navigate 0-42. So why does Lionel say minimum curve, 0-31? I am planning on building a layout in my basement, space is limited, and unfortunately if I want to run these cars I cannot use 0-31 curves or the 0-31 (O22) switch I guess. Bummer.
You're missing another Pullman, the Silver Platter.
Actually not. It was a mistake (joke?) included in the 1952 catalog instead of the Silver Bluff. As for baggage, you may be thinking of the 1954 2530 REA car, which fits right in with the Silver whatevers.
I think there's something wrong with your cars. They were definitely designed for O31 (or O, as it was called then). I run the 9100, a modern car of the same dimensions, on O27 with no problems. (I cut the skirts off to clear the switch machines and to match the Amtrak prototypes.)
Bob Nelson
Thank you for your response. Yes, the cars are O gauge and can run on either O or 027. But the "31" in O-31 refers to the diameter of the circle that that radius curve constructs. Eight pieces of 0-31 form a circle 31 inches in diameter. These cars may sit on the track on that circle, but there is no way they will move around it when coupled together. There is considerable sideways overhang of each car over the track and the couplers barely will couple. I remember in the '50s when my brother and I would run these trains and those cars would never take such a small diameter curve. They want to pull off sideways.
Try oiling the wheels, check to make sure the light wires have enough play to make the turns. Check the coupler arms for swing. I have run many of these cars on 027 track, they just won't go through old lionel 027 switches unless the switches are modifed.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
See My Reply Below
Don U. TCA 73-5735
Actually, the diameter is 30.5 inches. But who's counting?
My point is that I run a similar baggage car at the head of an 11 car train on O27 curves, whose diameter is 3.5 inches smaller. It does have considerable overhang; but it both sits and runs, without derailing. The cars were never intended for O27; but they were certainly meant for O31, sold with O31 sets, and run successfully on O31 track by lots of folks. That is why I suggest looking for something wrong with your particular cars, like lack of lubrication, dirty wheels, and so on. You may find that adding weight to the front car or two helps; but, with only three cars, that really shouldn't be necessary.
Hi,
I currently run the 2530, 2531, 2532 and 2533 on 027 track and have no problems. Like the other posts say, I would look for something wrong with the car.
DMUinCTIt's the Catalog thing again, is what is in the catalog what was shipped in the box, maybe, but all the sets had the oval of "O-31" track. 1952 "Super Speedliner" set #2190W, the first year for the long passenger cars. 2343 Twin Diesels (AA) The "B" unit was a $13.75 option 2531 "Silver Down" Observation 2532 "Silver Range" Dome Car 2533 "Silver Bluff" Pullman 2534 "Silver Platter" Pullman 8 sections of OC curved track 9 sections "OS" straight track forming an 31 7/8 by 80 3/4 oval Lockon, lubricant, and instruction book In 1953 the locomotive became #2353, 2533 "Silver Bluff" became "Silver Cloud", the set number was the same. In 1954 the set number became #2234W, engine numbers were 2353P (powered) and 2353T. The 4 train cars were the #2530 Baggage Car plus "Silver Range", "Silver Cloud", and "Silver Dawn". revised for ease of reading
1952 "Super Speedliner" set #2190W, the first year for the long passenger cars.
2343 Twin Diesels (AA) The "B" unit was a $13.75 option
2531 "Silver Down" Observation 2532 "Silver Range" Dome Car
2533 "Silver Bluff" Pullman
2534 "Silver Platter" Pullman
8 sections of OC curved track 9 sections "OS" straight track forming an 31 7/8 by 80 3/4 oval Lockon, lubricant, and instruction book
In 1953 the locomotive became #2353, 2533 "Silver Bluff" became "Silver Cloud", the set number was the same.
In 1954 the set number became #2234W, engine numbers were 2353P (powered) and 2353T. The 4 train cars were the #2530 Baggage Car plus "Silver Range", "Silver Cloud", and "Silver Dawn".
revised for ease of reading
My set did not come with the baggage car. I have run the consist on O27 - 27 with no problem but, for me, I prefer to run it on the O27 - 42 track.
WHILE we are talking about the aluminum cars, I have a question. Awhile back, a post mentioned that there were two sizes of doors on this set. Does anyone know if this is true and, if so, does it matter (value wise)? Oh yes, if so what do they measure? As always, many thanks.
2530 Baggage car:
My 4 year out of date "Greenberg Guide"
2530 Small Door Baggage Car -- Good $90, Excellent $170
2530 Large Door Baggage Car -- Good $280, Excellent $475
DON: Thanks for the information. I am still a little . Does the size refer only to the Baggage Car? I guess what I am trying to find out is ......Were all the aluminum cars made with two sizes of doors or was it just the Baggage Car? Again, many thanks.
traindaddy1,
Yes, the door size only refers to the baggage car.
JIM: Thanks so much.
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