Lionel 812 Gondola

What I think you have is some version of the type IV-E high rise truck with an electromagnetic coupler.  I have never seen one on an 800 series freight car.  I have many of the large 800 series freight cars and all have either the latch coupler or the manual box coupler.  My 2600 series passenger cars all do have the coupler identical to the one in your picture.

What confuses me, my reference doesn't show or talk about the electromagnetic coupler with the square end electromagnet, it only shows the cone end electromagnet, but all of my couplers on the series 2600 passenger cars have the square end electromagnet.  I rely onjGreenberg's Guide To Lionel Trains, 1901-1942 Volume II as my reference and its section on  couplers is sort of sketchy and some of the black and white pictures of couplers leave a lot to be desired.

There is no doubt in my mind that someone changed out the coupler on your 812.

Jim Lawson

Those trucks were put on the car AFTER it left the factory. Cars with remote coupling were numbered as 2XXX.

Ron M

Thanks Guys! You have confirmed my suspicions, the problem besides not being correct is that the coupler will not function and hook up properly, other  than that it's a pretty nice set of cars. 

Brad