Lionel 027 freight cars for S gauge

[Anonymous]

I would like to know if Lionel 027 size freight cars are suitable for S gauge?  I recall reading that the Lionel postwar double door boxcar was often converted by American Flyer operators by changing out the trucks. The orange PRR/Baby Ruth boxcar was common in many sets including the 027 set I received for Christmas 1951. 

Also, the modern Lionel hy-cube and waffle side boxcars appear to be 027 and not standard-0.  Are they suitable for S gauge converts too?  K-Line inroduced S gauge freight cars in 2003 using Marx 027 bodies and sprung S gauge trucks.  They were larger than the AF boxcar but I understand that the AF 40 ft. boxcar was based on the PRR X-29 boxcar.  It was a small boxcar compared to the 1938 developed AAR boxcar.

Boxcars came in all sizes and if any toy train operators run AF boxcars together with K-Lines, how does the Lionel hy-cube and waffel side measure up?  Are there other 027 cars that qualify?

Joseph Toth, Jr.

[LittleTommy]

Back in the dark days after the AC Gilbert Company went out of business and before Lionel was making AF and before Ameriacan Models and S Helper were in business;  I converted a number of the double door Lionel Boxcars as well as the large and small fishbelly gondolas  and the small O 27 tank cars simply by slapping on reproduction Flyer trucks.. 

Several Marx cars, expecially the fixed door stock cars and fixed door boxcars (which are smaller than the ones K line marketed) and the depressed center flat car that they did market look acceptable, especially if repainted and decaled. 

In the "modern day" the 2 deck auto carriers by lionel look good if you add a ladder or two and corner steps.  Some people have put the trucks from streamline passenger cars on them.  I put on SHS roller bearing trucks and caboose couplers (which can be hard to find now) or you could use American Models roller bearing trucks and their passenger car couplers.

You can see a gallery of converted K Line cars at http://aftrainmaster.com/private1/simagesbox_kline.htm

Have fun,

Little Tommy

 

 

[stebbycentral]

As stated, the so-called S-Scale cars by K-Line are in reality made from their O-27 line with the simple addition of S-Helper trucks.  A standard Flyer boxcar is 7.5 inches long, versus 8 inches for the average O-27 car.  The O-27 car will also be about one-half inch higher at the roof walk, and one quarter inch wider overall.  The cars would probably be acceptable in a train by themselves, but stand out visually in a train with genuine Flyer equipment.  Especially due to the width.

I have one K-Line car, which I bought at a train show.  I have actually gone to the extent of cutting it in half and removing the extra quarter inch.  It helps, but it was too much effort for the effect.

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys.  I am really getting a good S gauge education with your help and the many S gauge sites.  The photos are really nice and appreciated!  Living in an apartment leaves little space for a layout.  I plan to modify the Atlas HO layout known as the Simplicity & Great Plains that was designed for a 4X6 sheet of plywood.  I'm going to have a board custom cut to fit under a sofa-bed, install rollers and folding legs so it can be rolled out and set up for operation.  In fair weather it will occuply my balcony.

Have any modelers coverted the Lionel hy-cube and waffle side boxcars to S gauge?  The Atlas O scale hy-cube is too large but the Lionel looks like it might work.  The Lionel waffle side boxcar appears to be 027 and not standard O, so might work as well?  Appreicate any feed back.