Lionel 3454 Merchandise Car Cubes

[northernpike]

Found beat up merchandise car that needs work at a train show. 

Anyone out there have the cubes?  Need to know dimensions of them, they look

really easy to make in my shop.  Also, does it operate on a standard o31 uncoupling track?

Any info/insight on this car would really be appreciated.

Thanks

Tom

[TrainLarry]

The car and its variations are described here. Repro cubes are available here, just look up #3454 and you will find them. The car will work on any uncoupling/unloading track, but not on the uncouple only tracks. You need the extra 2 control rails to operate the car.

Larry

[northernpike]

really appreciate it.

Thanks

Tom

[dsmith]

The cubes are 1/2". I made my own using a bandsaw and a hardwood such as maple. I added "this side up" and "fragile" stickers and the boxes work very well. Here is a video of my Merchandise car dumping my homemade boxes...... http://youtu.be/o7g9-4A0uYU

[northernpike]

David

thanks!!

These will be easy to make in my shop-and for free!

Thanks again

Tom

[dlagrua]

The merchandise boxes were reproduced by Madison Hardware years ago. Madison ran loads of these boxes. They look identical to the Lionel originals and there should still be a ton of them around. Check the parts dealers and eBay.