Lionel Streamlined Passenger Cars
All information and trains supplied by Russ MacNair unless otherwise noted
Lionel No. 1673, 1674, 1675 Streamlined Passenger Cars
Lionel No. 1701, 1702, 1703 Streamlined Passenger Cars
Lionel No. 617, 618, 619 Streamlined Passenger Cars
Lionel No. 637, 638 Streamlined Passenger Cars
Lionel No. 753, 754 Streamlined Passenger Cars
Lionel No. 782, 783, 784 Streamlined Passenger Cars
Lionel No. 792, 793, 794 Streamlined Passenger Cars
Lionel No. 617, 618, 619 Streamlined Passenger Cars
General Information
The Lionel No. 617 Streamlined Coach, No. 618 Streamlined Observation, and No. 619 Streamlined Combine were introduced in 1935 and were issued through 1941. The Nos. 617, 618 and 619 Streamlined Passenger Cars were included in mid-level Lionel sets. They were typically paired with matching Lionel No. 616E/W Streamlined Locomotives, but they were also offered with several mid-level steam locomotives. The Nos. 617, 618, and 619 Streamlined Passenger Cars were included in a number of named Lionel sets including the “Flying Yankee”, “Blue Streak”, and “Silver Streak”. They were also included in a number of uncataloged or “Special” sets.
The Nos. 617, 618, and 619 Streamlined Passenger Cars vary in length. The No. 617 Streamlined Coach measures 8-inches in length, the No. 618 Streamlined Observation measures 11 1/2-inches in length, and the No. 619 Streamlined Combine measures 11-inches in length. The interconnecting vestibules are not included in the measurements. The cars are numbered with a small nickel plate on the sides. The cars are articulated and are connected by a vestibule mounted on a single truck. The vestibules also contain the light that illuminates the cars. The vestibules use a spring-loaded pin that connects the car bodies. In the photos below, the passenger cars are pictured with one or two vestibules attached to the ends of each car.
Variations of the Nos. 617, 618, and No. 619 Streamlined Passenger Cars are generally limited to the color combination and use of a chrome finish on portions of some of the cars. In addition, the sides of the passenger cars came in either fluted or smooth stampings. Some of the No. 617 Streamlined Coaches have a second door on the sides of the car. The interconnecting vestibules come in various colors that generally match the colors of the cars in the set. The vestibules came with both slider and roller pick-ups for the lights. The color of the vestibule skirts also vary.
Lionel No. 617, 618, and 619 Streamlined Passenger Cars
1. No. 617 Streamlined Coach in bright chrome finish with fluted sides. The vestibules have slider pick-ups and bright chrome skirts.
2. No. 618 Streamlined Observation in bright chrome finish with fluted sides. The vestibules have slider pick-ups and bright chrome skirts.
3. No. 619 Streamlined Combine in bright chrome finish with fluted sides. The vestibules have slider pick-ups and bright chrome skirts.
4. No. 617 Streamlined Coach in chrome finish with fluted sides. The vestibules have roller pick-ups and black skirts.
5. No. 618 Streamlined Observation in chrome finish with gunmetal painted tail piece and fluted sides. The vestibules have roller pick-ups and black skirts.
6. No. 617 Streamlined Coach in aluminum finish with smooth sides. The vestibules have slider pick-ups and aluminum skirts.
7. No. 618 Streamlined Observation in aluminum finish with smooth sides. The vestibules have slider pick-ups and aluminum skirts.
8. No. 617 Streamlined Coach in aluminum finish with fluted sides. The vestibules have slider pick-ups and aluminum skirts.
9. No. 618 Streamlined Observation in aluminum finish with fluted sides. The vestibules have slider pick-ups and aluminum skirts.
10. No. 617 Streamlined Coach in blue with white stripe painted finish and fluted sides. The vestibules have roller pick-ups and black skirts.
11. No. 618 Streamlined Observation in blue with white stripe painted finish and fluted sides. The vestibules have roller pick-ups and black skirts.
12. No. 619 Streamlined Combine in blue with white stripe painted finish with fluted sides. The vestibules have roller pick-ups and black skirts.
13. No. 617 Streamlined Coach in “China Blue” painted finish and fluted sides. The vestibules have roller pick-ups and black skirts.
14. No. 618 Streamlined Observation in “China Blue” painted finish and fluted sides. The vestibules have roller pick-ups and black skirts.
15. No. 619 Streamlined Combine in “China Blue” painted finish with fluted sides. The vestibules have roller pick-ups and black skirts.
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