Lionel Classic Period Box Cars
All information and trains supplied by Russ MacNair unless otherwise noted
General Information
The Lionel No. 805 Box Cars were introduced in 1927 and were issued through 1934. The No. 805 Box Cars have a four-wheel frame with latch couplers. The No. 805 Box Cars measure 6 1/2-inches in length. The box cars typically had contrasting colors for the body and roof. The frame was always black. The cars had sliding doors that opened and have a handle in the center. The door guides on the No. 805 Box Cars matched the roof color. The box cars all have brass metal plates to identify the number and “Lionel Lines”. All of the No. 805 Box Cars have brass trim.
The primary variation of the No. 805 Box Cars is different body and roof color. Early box cars had large brake wheels; large or small, round door handles; and no journals. Later box cars had small brake wheels, standard door handles, and nickel or copper journals. Most of the box cars had san serif (block) lettering on the brass plates, but some plates have lettering with tiny serifs. Many of the cars had a lubrication sticker on the underside.
Lionel No. 805 Box Cars
1. No. 805 Box Car in cream with orange roof (1927). The cars have large brake wheels, large door handles and no journals.
5. No. 805 Box Car in pea green with terra cotta roof (1927). The cars have no journals. This car has brass plates with serif lettering.
7. No. 805 Box Car in cream with maroon roof (1928-1929). The cars have nickel journals.
8. No. 805 Box Car in pea green with maroon roof (1928-1929). The cars have nickel journals.
9. No. 805 Box Car in pea green with pea green roof (1928-1929). The cars have nickel journals. This car has brass plates with serif lettering.
10. No. 805 Box Car in pea green with orange roof (1928-1929). The cars have nickel journals.
11. No. 805 Box Car in pea green with orange roof (1928-1929). The cars have nickel journals. This car has brass plates with serif lettering.
12. No. 805 Box Car in pea green with maroon roof (1931-1934). The cars have copper journals.
13. No. 805 Box Car in pea green with orange roof (1931-1934). The cars have copper journals. This car has brass plates with serif lettering.
1. No. 805 Box Car in cream with orange roof (1927). The cars have large brake wheels, large door handles and no journals.
2. No. 805 Box Car in orange with maroon roof (1927). The cars have large brake wheels, small, round door handles and no journals.
3. No. 805 Box Car in orange with maroon roof (1927). The cars have small, round door handles and no journals.
4. No. 805 Box Car in pea green with orange roof (1927). The cars have small, round door handles and no journals.
5. No. 805 Box Car in pea green with terra cotta roof (1927). The cars have no journals. This car has brass plates with serif lettering.
6. No. 805 Box Car in cream with orange roof (1928-1929). The cars have nickel journals. This car has nickel door handles.
7. No. 805 Box Car in cream with maroon roof (1928-1929). The cars have nickel journals.
PHOTOS NEEDED
8. No. 805 Box Car in pea green with maroon roof (1928-1929). The cars have nickel journals.
9. No. 805 Box Car in pea green with pea green roof (1928-1929). The cars have nickel journals. This car has brass plates with serif lettering.
10. No. 805 Box Car in pea green with orange roof (1928-1929). The cars have nickel journals.
11. No. 805 Box Car in pea green with orange roof (1928-1929). The cars have nickel journals. This car has brass plates with serif lettering.
12. No. 805 Box Car in pea green with maroon roof (1931-1934). The cars have copper journals.
13. No. 805 Box Car in pea green with orange roof (1931-1934). The cars have copper journals. This car has brass plates with serif lettering.
Comparison of sans serif (block) lettering (top) and lettering with tiny serifs (bottom) on brass plates.
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