Hello fellow train buffs.
I’m fairly new to O Gauge railroading. I have a question for the model railroaders out there. Here I go. In your experience’s which Year did Lionel produce the highest quality post war rolling stock ? I would like to stick with what the community thinks in general which were the best years in this regard. Best details, best trucks and couplers. What years should I focus on purchasing?
Thank you
Gib
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Best, IMO, are the ones prior to the recent switch to button couplers, which occurred several years ago. The mostly hated button couplers were discontinued a coupler of years ago in favor of the latest coupler iteration, which I have not seen in person, but which I understand is not sprung as were the first ones.
Hal
I didn't notice the "post war" when I first read your e-mail. Best years for post war were 1950-1957: no plastic and no buttons.
Hal
Hi Gib, This is sort of an open-ended question, I personally like the 6464 box cars that were made in the 1950s and 1960s, they look great are are very colorful. Their construction varied over the years, some with metal trucks, others have plastic. They are very collectable, some are very expensive. However, Lionel reissued them, starting in 1993, with "series I" that contained three cars. I believe over 30 cars were produced. I think they are very well made, and can be found relatively cheaply on various auction sites. I am also a fan of the Lionel MPC era 9700 box cars, they look fantastic and are very smooth runners. Good luck on your journey..
Guys: "Post War" was the question.
The cheapening process started in 1954. It didn't get to all items at the same time though.
Jon 
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