Model Railroading > Lionel coupler question

I got my grandson a Bay Ruth freight car at auction. It is an older car, and the couplers are bigger than the rest of his equipment. His stuff is all new. Does anyone know why there would be a difference in coupler size? Everything is supposed to be "O" gauge.

Thanks.

Barry Stone
Edmonds, WA

poffcapt Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I got my grandson a Bay Ruth freight car at
> auction. It is an older car, and the couplers are
> bigger than the rest of his equipment. His stuff
> is all new. Does anyone know why there would be a
> difference in coupler size? Everything is supposed
> to be "O" gauge.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Barry Stone
> Edmonds, WA

If you looking for a scale reference in "O" gauge, forget about it. Most of the time, "O gauge" is not to scale. People often get the words scale and gauge confused when "O" is mentioned.

If you hear the words "O gauge", think "Tin Plate" (aka Lionel, etc).

If it says "O scale", then it should be close to be accurate to scale.

Hopefully, this clears up the confusion.


Cass Telles
"Slow-Approach-Slow" - 'Go by way of the B&O'
Railroads of NW Ohio
http://www.trainweb.org/rrnwoh
My photostream on Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/ctelles/

Are the couplers on the car also a knuckle type ? Lionel made some cars of this type with different [ "Scout"] couplers, and perhaps someone substituted something else ? What is the number on the side of the car ?

Best rgds, SZ [ who is recalling the Lionel catalogues from 50+ yrs ago....]