Well guys, its not yet Monday, but again I have to travel to Ft.Worth in the morning so I won't be able to post "on time" so it will have to be early. I am going back to one of my favorite "fallen flags" the Rock Island. Today these are two of what collectors tend to call "plug door" boxcars (which in fact they are not) and are really just non-sliding door, smaller boxcars by Lionel.These little guys work really well on my tight curves and small clearances, but also they are fun to collect because they often do not demand high prices. Anyway here are two very different Rock Island 0-27 boxcars by Lionel
First the # 7903 from 1983 in the blue "R" livery.
Next the 16200 from 1987-1988, advertising the "Route of the Rockets"
Both these guys are pretty modest and small in size but they look good on my smaller layout and they are light enough to be pulled easily by any of the new smaller locomotives.
OBTW just for you folks who like details, note the differing number schemes on these two boxcars even though the mold is obviously the same for the body, although the truck side frames are different...why? Well this date marks the transition from General Mills Products Company or MPC who made Lionel trains from 1970 - 1985 and a new company called Lionel Trains Inc or LTI who made Lionel Trains from 1986-1995. The new company changed the product numbering scheme for reasons not really advertised. The MPC scheme really reflected the scheme used by the original Lionel company the new scheme did not.
Happy Monday (even if I am early !!)
Don
