Lionel Scale Detailed Prewar Passenger Cars
All information and trains supplied by Russ MacNair unless otherwise noted
Lionel No. 1630, 1631 Passenger Cars
Lionel No. 2630, 2631 Passenger Cars
Lionel No. 2640, 2641 Passenger Cars
Lionel No. 2642, 2643 Passenger Cars
Lionel No. 1630, 1631 Passenger Cars
General Information
The Lionel No. 1630 Pullman and No. 1631 Observation Passenger Cars were introduced in 1938 and were issued through 1942. The No. 1630 and No. 1631 were mid-size tinplate passenger cars and shared the same body with the No. 2630, No. 2640, and No. 2642 Series Passenger Cars all issued by Lionel following the Classic Period. These passenger cars were included as components of a number of low end cataloged passenger sets. These cars were later carried over by Lionel to the postwar period, with modifications to the body and the change to postwar trucks.
The No. 1630 and 1631 Passenger Cars measure 9 1/2-inches in length. The sides of the cars have a single metal insert, painted a contrasting color, to create the doors, window inserts, and identification of the car number and type. The cars have a clear or frosted celluloid strip in the windows. The cars were not illuminated.
Variations of the No. 1630 and No. 1631 Passenger Cars include changes to the color of the roof, insert, rear railing, “fish Bellies” and journals. The cars came with either latch or manual box couplers. The cars with latch couplers have a shorter wheelbase than the cars with box couplers due to the difference in coupler dimensions.
Lionel No. 1630 and 1631 Passenger Cars
1. No. 1630, 1631 Passenger Cars in blue (1938-1939). The cars have a silver roof, silver “fish belly”, silver inserts, black journals, and latch couplers. The No. 1631 Observation has a silver rear railing.
2. No. 1630, 1631 Passenger Cars in blue (1941). The cars have a silver roof, silver “fish belly”, silver inserts, black journals, and late style manual box couplers. The No. 1631 Observation has a silver rear railing.
3. No. 1630, 1631 Passenger Cars in blue (1942). The cars have a gray roof, gray “fish belly”, gray inserts, black journals, and late style manual box couplers. The No. 1631 Observation has a gray rear railing.
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