Lionel Classic Period Flat Cars
All information and trains supplied by Russ MacNair unless otherwise noted
Lionel No. 831 Flat Cars
General Information
The Lionel No. 831 Flat Cars were introduced in 1927 and were issued through 1934. The flat cars were also used in promotional sets from 1935 through 1942. The No. 831 Flat Cars have a four-wheel frame. The No. 831 Flat Cars measure 6 1/2-inches in length. The flat car bodies were always painted a single color. The flat cars all have the number and “Made By / The Lionel Corporation / New York” rubber stamped on the underside. The flat cars all have nickel brake stands and nickel stakes. The flat cars had a single piece simulated lumber wood load. There are variations to the underside of the wood load.
Variations of the No. 831 Flat Cars include different body color, brass or nickel brake wheels in different sizes, and nickel, copper or no journals. The earliest flat cars have eight stakes. All subsequently issued flat cars have four stakes. There are also variations in the number and information rubber stamped on the underside of the cars. Early flat cars have hook and slot couplers. Late flat cars have latch couplers.
Lionel No. 831 Flat Cars
1. No. 831 Flat Car in black (1927). The cars have eight stakes, large brass brake wheels, and no journals. The cars have “Made in U.S.A. / The Lionel Corporation / New York” over “831” rubber stamped in gold on the underside. The cars have tongue and slot couplers.
2. No. 831 Flat Car in dark green (1927-1928). The cars have eight stakes, large brass brake wheels, and no journals. The cars have “Made in U.S.A. / The Lionel Corporation / New York” over “831” rubber stamped in gold on the underside. The cars have tongue and slot couplers.
3. No. 831 Flat Car in black (1927-1928). The cars have eight stakes, large brass brake wheels, and no journals. The cars have “Made in U.S.A. / The Lionel Corporation / New York” over “831” rubber stamped in gold on the underside. The cars have latch couplers.
4. No. 831 Flat Car in dark green (1927-1928). The cars have eight stakes, large brass brake wheels, and no journals. The cars have “Made in U.S.A. / The Lionel Corporation / New York” over “831” rubber stamped in gold on the underside. The cars have latch couplers.
5. No. 831 Flat Car in dark green (1928-1929). The cars have eight stakes, small brass brake wheels, and nickel journals. The cars have “831” rubber stamped in black on a lubrication sticker on the underside. The cars have latch couplers.
6. No. 831 Flat Car in dark green (1929-1930). The cars have four stakes, small brass brake wheels, and nickel journals. The cars have “Made in U.S.A. / The Lionel Corporation / New York” over “831” rubber stamped in gold on the underside. The cars have latch couplers.
7. No. 831 Flat Car in dark green (1931-1934). The cars have four stakes, small brass brake wheels, and copper journals. The cars have “Made in U.S.A. / The Lionel Corporation / New York” over “831” rubber stamped in gold on the underside. The cars have latch couplers.
8. No. 831 Flat Car in dark green (1931-1934). The cars have four stakes, small brass brake wheels, and copper journals. The cars have “831” over “Made in U.S.A. / The Lionel Corporation / New York” rubber stamped in gold on the underside. The cars have latch couplers.
9. No. 831 Flat Car in dark green (1931-1934). The cars have four stakes, small brass brake wheels, and copper journals. The cars have “No. 831” over “Made in U.S.A. / The Lionel Corporation / New York” rubber stamped in gold on the underside. The cars have latch couplers.
10. No. 831 Flat Car in bright green (1935-1942). The cars have four stakes, small nickel brake wheels, and nickel journals. The cars have “No. 831” over “Made in U.S.A. / The Lionel Corporation / New York / In U.S. of America” rubber stamped in black on the underside. The cars have latch couplers.
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