Often these days, I wonder if this is really the 027 and Traditional O Gauge sub-forum, both of which can fall under the original definition of Hi-Rail.
Yes, the product description says the cars negotiate 027 curves, and they probably do. But with the width of the new gondolas being MUCH wider than any other traditionally styled gondola, I seriously wonder if they will clear the switchbox housing on 027 switch tracks? If they possibly do, it'll be just by a hair.
Not everyone here is interested in true scale dimensions, even if a good deal of scale related products, problems and issues get posted on this particular sub-forum.
So it appears by the 2-7/16 width, these new gondolas are a definite NO-GO for me. Hopefully enough other people purchase them to make their investment worthwhile. Though by the photos posted by Cabinet Bob, a couple of the gondolas appear to have translucent bodies, meaning they are molded plastic color (or painted white plastic bodies that were unprimed with a darker color).
I can't imagine the highly critical true-scale crowd being too happy about a characteristic more commonly associated with lesser expensive "toy" trains. Though the "lesser-expensive" term would be subject to scrutiny when it comes to any brand new recently manufactured trains today... even the traditional ones... and especially from Lionel.
