I believe Lionel's standard gauge classic-era standard gauge passenger cars (State, Blue Comet, Girard and 408 series) are the very best ever made for the following reasons:
1. Interior detailing, which included seats and restrooms - also 431 dining car with tables and individual chairs.
2. Heavy duty construction - re-enforced steel bodies.
3. No other standard gauge manufacturer came close to Lionel's sturdy construction and "extra" detailing.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Hello Art,
I cannot disagree with anything you said regarding Lionel construction quality and details of its Standard gauge passenger cars. From a purely aesthetic perspective, I have always thought that AF and Ives passenger cars were more attractive than Lionel's- better proportions and more handsome lines. But this is purely subjective.
Regards,
Mack
3. No other standard gauge manufacturer came close to Lionel's sturdy construction and "extra" detailing.
except for American Flyer, who surpassed it with:
-reinforced bodies, WELDED and RIVETED construction, much thicker steel components for body, roof, truck and axle construction.
-individual clear plastic "windows" that don't come loose and hang there all strange-like and are hard to repair.
-opaque restroom windows at the car ends (a nice detail)
-spring loaded opening end doors that STAY closed and don't flop around.
-roofs that don't have ugly screws sticking out the tops of them...much less painted screws that crack and loose their paint.
-an advanced lighting system including multiple lamps per car, a rear platform lamp, and a lighted drum head, better spring roller pickups, and in some cases an on and off control lever.
-Lets not forget the high speed flexible trucks that prevent car wobble and allow the car to track properly over imperfections without derailing.
-Also a much more durable nitrocellulose enamel paint finish that is close to automotive spec.
I assume we are talking original apples to apples prewar trains here, and not reproduction trains that may use alternative construction methods...
One the things we CAN agree on is the lack of door springs on most Lionel Classic Era passenger cars, with the exception of the larger 300 series passenger cars. Actually one of my pet peeves!
I DO like the American Flyer SG freight cars - definitely more realistic than Lionel's - but I still prefer my Lionel SG Blue Comet and State cars over American Flyer's passenger cars.
Personal preference. 
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
