Post 16 8-6-2016
Homemade Lionel Style Cars
Funds were tight with available train funds being used to add locomotives. I had several Marx and Lionel Scout type 8 inch box cars and time to make some homemade copies of some of my Lionel favorites.
A US Mail car was painted up. Press On letters were used lettering and clear coated for all cars. This one has doors that open.
Next was a Gold Bullion car. Windows were cut in both sides with Dremel Moto tool with saw blade and a razor saw and plastic windows were added. Gold bars were made from kitchen match sticks painted gold. Two 12v or 7v in series mini Christmas lights were added, a feature the Lionel version does not have. 
The light pick ups were made from brass shim stock and added to a non operating Lionel coupler truck. A piece of tin can was added to improve durability of brass shim stock.
A Lionel small stock car was used to make a Chicken Dispatch car. Every other slat was cut out of the side boards and parchment paper was used to Sharpie paint the chickens on. Lights were added to the roof and a pickup made. No chicken poop sweeping man though ! 
An aquarium Car was made by cutting out the windows in Lionel Scout type 8 inch box car like Gold Bullion car above. A Lionel Aquarium car sea background was purchased at a train show but one can be made from parchment paper. Plastic fish were cut out of clear plastic from old toy boxes and colored with Sharpies. The fish were suspended from the roof with 4 lb fish reel clear leader line and glued to the fish and roof with glass clear cement but E6000 can be used. This allows the fish to wiggle and move with the train motion. Lights were added to the roof and a pickup made.
Modifying and making cars is one of my favorite parts of the model train hobby.
Later, I found all of the above Lionel cars, except the Gold Bullion car, at reasonable prices.
Charlie
