Skip to main content

Hi,

I am looking to buy a 2 pack of the Lionel trailers but I need more info before I spend more than $70 for something that I won't be happy with. All of the info I found only list the length of the trailers, which is 10". I just bought an MTH trailer that ended up being much smaller than my MTH and Lionel 20' trailers in scale. I have attached a couple of pictures showing my Lionel and MTH 20 footers which scale out closely to each other. The MTH 40 footer is pictured along side the others for size comparison. Does anyone have both the Lionel 40 foot trailers and the Lionel or MTH 20 foot trailers that they can post pictures of for a size comparison? Thanks.

20210422_20473520210422_204758

Attachments

Images (2)
  • 20210422_204735
  • 20210422_204758
Last edited by Mike D
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Mike,

This may not be exactly correct.  The Weaver 35' piggyback trailers on their 50' flat cars were very close to scale width, length and height.  When Lionel bought the molds/rights, Lionel being Lionel did not continue the line but offered 40' trailers on 59' flat cars. Same width and height as the Weaver trailers.  John in Lansing, ILL

Last edited by rattler21

Addressing the issue of width, rather than length, I would say the McDonalds trailer is closer to an S scale 53 footer than anything in O scale. Trailers were built to accept two 4 foot pallets placed side by side. No way could that happen with the McDonalds trailer. Most over the highway trailers running today are 53 footers and that looks about right for that trailer - if done in S scale.

Thanks for your responses and pictures. This info helped a lot. I was thinking the McDonald's trailer looked close to S scale when it came in. There wasn't any way to tell the size by looking at the pictures in the listing. At least is wasn't expensive. Looks like I will get the Lionels for my repaint project. Thanks again.

Good looking paper trailers are available from Team Track Models for $6 download.  You can buy the blank trailer and decorate as you wish.  Downloadable Paper Model Kits for Scale Railroad Buildings (teamtrackmodels.com)

A free old style tractor and 40' round nose trailer are available on DAF.com.  They're about S scale, so simply print them at 150%.  I scrubbed the lettering with grey "marker" in the pdf file before printing in this case.

I bought a set of the Lionel trailers and an MTH Premier flat with trailer since my first post. here is an update for those that may be curious about how these trailers compare to each other. The CNW is a Lionel 40', The 48' UP is MTH Premier and the McDonald's appears to be a RailKing model.

20210502_21103120210502_21112220210502_21113120210502_21122320210502_21130020210502_211323

Attachments

Images (6)
  • 20210502_211031
  • 20210502_211122
  • 20210502_211131
  • 20210502_211223
  • 20210502_211300
  • 20210502_211323

Thanks for that great link to Team Track Models. Check it out, I was really impressed with the quality of the paper model kits. Takes a bit of work to build but they look great. Exploring ideas for better looking; more scale wheels and tires though. You can build landing gear from Styrene parts. I also experimented with photo papers and wrapping a foam block with the image. I was thinking with a bit of work could scale these trailers up to 1/43 scale to go along with the vast # of detailed 1/43 truck models on the market by IXO and others;

https://www.diecastdirect.com/...uling-Transportation

@kj356 posted:

Thanks for that great link to Team Track Models. Check it out, I was really impressed with the quality of the paper model kits. Takes a bit of work to build but they look great. Exploring ideas for better looking; more scale wheels and tires though. You can build landing gear from Styrene parts. I also experimented with photo papers and wrapping a foam block with the image. I was thinking with a bit of work could scale these trailers up to 1/43 scale to go along with the vast # of detailed 1/43 truck models on the market by IXO and others;

https://www.diecastdirect.com/...uling-Transportation

I bought some truck parts from Don Mills Models. They are good quality and the prices are right. They have a good selection of truck and trailers tires and wheels. http://donmillsmodels.com/prod...-truck-parts-decals/

Add Reply

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×