These Lionel bodied cars were used on the deluxe Wide Gauge sets in 1930. They came in three distinct colors; black/red with the Chief Set, blue/red with the National Limited and orange/black with the Olympian set. Numerous reproductions of these cars exist, some actually use original Lionel bodies from that period.
The three color variations of the Dining Car. Only the
National Limited actually had a Dining Car cataloged as part of the set.
According to Lou Hertz 1930 Olympian diners came in some sets because they ran out of pullmans - you still only got a 3-car set and it was never cataloged that way. He also said he never saw a REAL Chief diner.
Blue / red National Limited Dining Car
Orange / black Olympian Dining Car.
Inside of Dining car showing tables and chairs.
National Limited blue / red - these cars came with a red 1134 steam locomotive.
Olympian orange / black - these cars came with the 3245 Long Cab, sitting in front of it's original box with original packing material.
Chief car in black / red - these cars came with a 1134 steam locomotive.
Blue / red car from the National Limited set.
Orange / black car from the Olympian Set.
Black / red car from the Chief set.
This car is painted like a chief car but it has chrome plated roof and trim. It came as a four car set pulled by an 1134 that was also chrome plated. There are several stories that go with it, none that we can verify. It appears to be original.
No. 249 National Limited car. Side view below shows the end decals. Note that this car is somewhat unusual in that it doesn't have the square decals on the sides, but does have them on the ends.
More 'common' National Limited observation with square decals on sides.
Bottom view of National Limited car showing IVES truck assembly with snake pull couplers.
Black / red car which came with Chief Set.
Orange / black car that came with Olympian Set - note the original box and original packing material.