Lionel Classic Period Hopper Cars
All information and trains supplied by Russ MacNair unless otherwise noted
Lionel No. 803 Hopper Cars
General Information
The Lionel No. 803 Hopper Cars were introduced in 1923 and were issued through 1934. The No. 803 Hopper Cars have a four-wheel frame. The No. 803 Hopper Cars measure 6 1/2-inches in length. The hopper car bodies were always painted a single color and had a black frame. The hopper cars all have a brass side wheel. The early hopper cars have rubber stamped lettering. Late hopper cars have metal plates to identify the number and “Lionel Lines”.
Variations of the No. 803 Hopper Cars include different body color; brass or no trim; nickel, copper or no journals; and rubber stamping or brass identification plates. The early hopper cars with dark green bodies have “Lionel” and capacity data rubber stamped in gold on the sides of the car. These stampings were weak and are often partially or completely missing from handling and wear. The first hopper cars have tongue and slot couplers. All later hopper cars have latch couplers.
Lionel No. 803 Hopper Cars
PHOTOS NEEDED
1. No. 803 Hopper Car in dark green (1923-1924). The cars have “Lionel” and capacity data rubber stamped in gold on the sides of the car. The cars have the number and “Made in U.S.A. / The Lionel Corporation / New York” rubber stamped in silver lettering on the underside of the car. The stampings for the number and other information are on opposite ends of the frame. The cars have no trim and no journals. The cars have tongue and slot couplers.
2. No. 803 Hopper Car in dark green (1923-1924). The cars have “Lionel” and capacity data rubber stamped in gold on the sides of the car. The cars have the number and “Made in U.S.A. / The Lionel Corporation / New York” rubber stamped in gold lettering on the underside of the car. The stampings for the number and other information are on the same end of the frame. The cars have no trim and no journals. The cars have latch couplers.
3. No. 803 Hopper Car in dark green (1925). The cars have “Lionel” and capacity data rubber stamped in gold on the sides of the car. The cars have the number and “Made in U.S.A. / The Lionel Corporation / New York” rubber stamped in gold lettering on the underside of the car. The stampings for the number and other information are on the same end of the frame. The cars have no trim and nickel journals. The cars have latch couplers.
4. No. 803 Hopper Car in peacock blue (1930-1931). The cars have brass plates with sans serif lettering, brass trim and nickel journals. The cars have latch couplers.
5. No. 803 Hopper Car in peacock blue (1931-1934). The cars have brass plates, brass trim and copper journals. The cars have latch couplers.
6. No. 803 Hopper Car in Stephen Girard green (1932-1933). The cars have brass plates, brass trim and nickel journals. The cars have latch couplers.
PHOTOS NEEDED
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