The Inimitable Lionel State Cars

The Lionel Blue Comet cars come in second with only one working restroom door and with roofs that have squeeze clamps instead of the better fitting hinged state car roofs. Their big plus is better proportioned bodies for their length compared to the more compressed state cars.

The Lionel 431 dining car with its full interior detailing was also a top tier contender in the detail department, though it lacked a restroom like the state cars.

Would love to see some photos for us non tinplate folks. Thanks Mike

Fair enough, but at the moment I cannnot safely climb the stairs to get to my train room due to a broken wrist which occurred from a bad fall four weeks ago. Perhaps another forum member can provide some interior shots of the state car, BC car and the 431 dining car.

Although the American Flyer and later Ives passenger cars were nicely proportioned and were done in very attractive liveries such as the Presidential and Milwaukee schemes, none had the superior interior detailing of the Lionel premium SG passenger cars, which remain the "gold standard".