State of Maine Std. Gauge Lionel Corporation Tinplate No. 514 Std. Gauge Box Car

Introduced in 1927, a year after the larger 200-series cars, the 500-series standard gauge freight cars were basically scaled-down, less expensive versions of their big brothers - although the 500 series had an arguably handsomer caboose. Lionel took care to emphasize that the 500 series - intended for use with Locomotives Nos. 8E, 9E, 10E, 381E, 384E, 385E, 1835E, 390E, and 392E - was built to the same lofty standards as the rest of the line: "Let us repeat that all Lionel Freight Cars are of steel construction throughout. The fittings, such as hand rails, hand brakes, steps, ladders and inserted panels are all made of brass, highly polished. Wheels, journals and axles are of heavily nickeled steel. Beyond doubt, these cars reach the peak of perfection in model railroading rolling stock."