I have a set of E6's UP City of Los Angeles from MTH #20-2451-1. After talking with MTH
concerning the cars for these engines, I was informed that they never made the consist for
this engine set. I know that Lionel has them listed in their latest catalog in
tinplate aluminum cars at a cost of a grand. Anyone know what UP Premier cars
that would look good? Thanks.
a
the
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I don't know that the UP "City of Los Angeles" train set was anything special, depending on the era you are modeling. The reared observation car, however is VERY different, and to my knowledge ONLY K-Line has offered THAT specific UP passenger car.
I will try to find that. Thanks for the quick reply.
The photos below show my City of Los Angeles. I put the set together myself.
The two A unit locos are the recent Legacy E9s.
The B unit is an MTH E8 b dummy. Just a perfect match (road numbers even match!)
The eight cars are a very recent issue 18 or 19 inch cars by MTH. Not sure which catalog but I haven't had them more than six months since they were released. Full interiors with figures, simple fantastic. I bought all the cars from Patricks Trains. A set of four, with two additional, and one more, and then the observation car about a week later. You could contact him, he might still have some . . .
I am in the same boat so if you find anything ple4ase post it.
Where is Frank's Trains located? There several on the internet.
I don't know that the UP "City of Los Angeles" train set was anything special, depending on the era you are modeling. The reared observation car, however is VERY different, and to my knowledge ONLY K-Line has offered THAT specific UP passenger car.
Did K-Line do a 21 inch version?
I don't know that the UP "City of Los Angeles" train set was anything special, depending on the era you are modeling. The reared observation car, however is VERY different, and to my knowledge ONLY K-Line has offered THAT specific UP passenger car.
Did K-Line do a 21 inch version?
Yes they did, and I have seen that special blunt-end 21" "City of Los Angeles" observation car sell for as high as $600 on eBay. Not the passenger train set,,,,,,JUST the observation car!
I don't know that the UP "City of Los Angeles" train set was anything special, depending on the era you are modeling. The reared observation car, however is VERY different, and to my knowledge ONLY K-Line has offered THAT specific UP passenger car.
Did K-Line do a 21 inch version?
Yes they did, and I have seen that special blunt-end 21" "City of Los Angeles" observation car sell for as high as $600 on eBay. Not the passenger train set,,,,,,JUST the observation car!
Yes, they go for a premium when for sale. Several of the K-Line UP 21" cars (including the observation) are very hard to find.
Here's a few pictures of the observation:
And here's one of the other rare cars, Placid Haven:
The "chair car" and "Lounge Car" are also hard to find. One sold a while back for $300 a car on the bay. The 'add on' cars are hard to locate and go for big money when sold.
The UP K-line cars aren't cheap, just a warning...a 10 car set sold for $1750 at auction last month!
They did a nice job. That's great
They did a nice job. That's great
They're beautiful cars.
If you just want some passenger cars to pull, the MTH cars are the best bang for the dollar, IMO. On the secondary market I've bought MTH ones for $30-40 each, about half of what they cost new...
That's hard to beat...
K-Line also made 18" Al cars. However, the observation was NOT a flat end.
You should also be able to find the Lionel cars for well less than a grand (as you stated). Though not City of LA, I bought an older set of 4, NIB, for $330. Saw a set go at auction 2 months ago for about $550-NIB, 4 car set and 2 add on cars. The Station Sound diners are hard to find and demand a premium.
Check the secondary market-all of the cars mentioned in this post are available with some searching.
If you find something and not sure it's a deal or not, e-mail me. I've been buying a lot of UP passenger cars (MTH, Lionel, K-Line, GGD) and may be able to help.
Thanks 86TA355SR.
What I'm looking to do is the St. Louis to Denver version of the City of St. Louis. It was a joint UP/Wabash train. The observation would be important to me. Also, I would want 21" cars to convert to 2 rail.
Ultimately, I'm hoping that 3rd Rail take start producing some UP trains based on ACF production, which I think was the company that produced the observation I need.
A post card of the train as it rans through Forest Park in St. Louis.
Ok, I'm with you now. Thanks for the picture by the way.
If you start searching for the UP K-Line 21" cars, let me know if you need pictures or the list of all the cars produced. I have both. I spent a lot of time researching them and can provide you individual car/product numbers.
I'm guessing Lionel will produce a set of UP 21"ABS plastic cars soon. Not sure why I feel it, but I do. Now, let's start a new rumor 
I'm not a UP passenger train expert or claim to be, so here's some books with authors you can find on Amazon or the bay that will be of help. Enjoy!
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