I've decided I want to put together a passenger train of pre-war Lionel. The engine I'm going to get is going to be the #254 electric, but I'm still trying to decide on the passenger cars (coach/coach/observation arrangment). The final choice will either be the 710/712 set (4-axle, not the 6-axle ones) or the slightly smaller 605/606 set. I know the 254E was sold with 605/606 cars for a short time, but I like the 710/712 cars a little better. Would the 254 look fine with those, or would it be better with the 605/606 set (meaning, is the 710/712 set too big for the 254)?
_________________________________________________________________
The 710 cars are quite a bit larger than the 605s. They will look a little awkward behind a 254. I would def. rec. the 605 series. Your going to have a little bit of an issue matching the colors to the loco. The set was only catalogued in orange. It is a scarce set and commands top dollar. Most 254s are olive green with pea green and mojave examples showing up often as well. If you want to go with the 605 cars why not consider the 251. The set is readily available in gray. It also came with 710s in red.
605/606s it is! Thanks for the help!
I'm actually planning to get and restore one of the older production 254s with the strap headlights and more nickel trim, paint it dark green (one of the available 254 colors early on), and get a set of red cars to go with it. I know Lionel didn't sell them this way, but it's how I really want to put it together (spent the last couple months getting it figured out). And as long as I don't paint the engine red or the cars dark green, I don't think I'll be breaking too many rules. I consider the dark green 254s to be the best looking ones they ever made, and it should look pretty good with the red behind it.
Well, If thats what you want to do i have a set of 3 710 712 cars with 6 wheel trucks that need restored i was going to ebay. If youre interested my email is whitejettacoupe@yahoo.com. If they look too big you can always sell them when youre done. I just dont have time to get to them.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month