Weekend Photos July 2025

[healey36]

Thanks, Hondo; was just wondering how many 831's we have around here. Might be fun to make a lumber train.

[HONDO74]

I was thinking the same thing might be interesting to see your 258 pulling a string of 831 log cars. They can be used as a flat car for other interesting loads.

[ScaleCraft]

A really nice looking 831 log car. Apparently these were made from 1927 to 1942. I think the little 4 wheel cars are kind of cute. I have 2 of the 831. One is light green with logs the other is very dark green no logs. I have a Lionel 257 to pull mine with no reverse forward only.

Not a bad price, with stakes!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/286683779453

[HONDO74]

The 831 first produced in 1927. First time the price shows up is in the 1930 catalog for 70 cents

In the 1934 catalog the price is one dollar. A 30% increase .....And no tariffs.....

1934 was the last time the 4 wheel cars are listed in a catalog.But they were still made and put in uncataloged sets through 1942

[healey36]

Here are the 831's I can easily lay my hands on (and it's embarrassing):



There are likely others buried in set boxes. Pretty much all of the core variations here...dark green, light green, nickel journals, copper journals, no journals, nickel brake-wheels, brass brake-wheels. Did they ever make a black journal version? If so, we're missing that one.

Could make a decent lumber train

[HONDO74]

According to my standard catalog of Lionel trains 1900 to 1942 by David Doyle.

831 flatcar type VII
Dark green returned in 1941, only at this time journal boxes were changed to black. This car was included in some uncataloged sets through 1942.

The one I have that's dark green has brass journals.

[healey36]

Dagger, Hondo...the Greenberg book says there were black journals too, 1940-42. Now I gotta find myself one of those! I'm gonna flip a note to Robert Butler and see if he has one (or ten) in his collection.

[healey36]

Checked in with Robert Butler and he says he doesn't have one either (but then he said he doesn't have much in the way of Lionel's 4-wheel freights). That's okay...I needed another "grail".

[HONDO74]

Oh yes the search for the holy grail. But then that's half the fun of playing with toy trains.

I remember my early years looking through catalogs and wish books making out my wish list Still do it.
Just when I think I have everything I need I always seem to find something else to search for.....

If you don't find one there is always York in the fall. If the dark green one I have would of had black journals on it I would have sent it to you for your collection. You can always put original black journals on one.

[webenda]

Black Journals?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/157145859779?_ ... 101224.m-1

Or just looks that way in photographs.

[healey36]

Those journals look like nickel to me, Wayne, but it could be the lighting; pretty tarnished. The last version was a dark green frame, not the lighter green seen there (at least that’s what the experts say). Nice to know you guys have your eyes open for me; if they’re out there, we’ll find one.

[HONDO74]

Those look like nickle plated ones to me

Take a look at these late late series 2600 cars that have black journal on them.
Lionel Prewar O Gauge 2651 Lumber and 2652 Gondola Cars
https://www.ebay.com/itm/226829078586

[healey36]

Those look like nice examples, but I can't see sixty-some bucks for the pair.

[healey36]

Meanwhile, down at the depot, "I'm tellin' ya Smitty, it ain't goin' in there":



"Of course not, you meatballs, it's gotta go in through the end doors. Geesh!"

[webenda]

Those look like nice examples, but I can't see sixty-some bucks for the pair.

I have done such a thing, paid too much, because it was the first on (or more) after years of searching.

Then a short time latter I find an even better one at a lower price.

How about these?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/396760925273?_ ... 101224.m-1