Different Lionel 603 prewar passenger cars

[pjdog350]

I've been looking for some prewar Lionel 603 passenger cars with lights to add to my 248 orange & yellow consists. Bought these cheap. was going to repaint them. My friend Jim said don't!!!!

[pjdog350]

I thought for sure someone on these prewar war train forum would know what these are. Very rare cars.

[Terry]

I'd have to hold it in my hand, but my first impression is they are repainted. The white inserts came with the Red Comet cars, but the red here looks more like the dark red from the early 603 red/blakc cars or maybe the vermillion roofs on the 600/601/602 red/vermillion cars. The fact that there's no wear or scratches on the underside of teh car where the loose truck goes is another tip off of a repaint.

There are two sets of weird red cars I know of in 607/608 with lights. One is darker red with brass trim, the other is light red with nickel trim. But I haven't heard of them being made in the unlighted 603/604 cars.

Post more pictures.

[pjdog350]

Thanks for the input Terry. Jim seems to think they maybe a department store set. I sent them to Jim for him to decide what they may be?

When I find out I’ll post it here.

[Terry]

Jim will be able to tell just by shaking the box and giving it a good sniff.

[pjdog350]

I’ll second that statement Terry.

[starfire700]

They didn't pass the shake and sniff test, but did look like the Halle's Department store cars, maroon with cream inserts. The cars are restored, a nice job including lettering, so whoever did them must have been aware of the set and restored them to look like the Halle's 607 cars. A Maroon 252 completes the set. I had the original boxed set and it is the example in GB's prewar book, but no longer own it.