If you’re a train enthusiast, you know that your passion can be expensive. Trains, track, signals, and scenery can all add up to a hefty price tag. One of the most affordable and accessible ways to get into model trains is by purchasing boxcars—they’re a staple in any train collection, regardless of whether you’re into steam engines, diesel engines, or you have a hodgepodge of both.
To help you pick the best hobby boxcars, we’ve turned to reviews from real customers on Amazon who have purchased and used these products for themselves. These best-selling items not only have near-perfect ratings, but they also have countless glowing reviews describing why they’re so great.
Read on for our list of best hobby train boxcars.
Our Editor’s Best Hobby Train Boxcars Reviews
- PRODUCT: Lionel Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban O Gauge Model Train Boxcar highlights four different movie clips from the Harry Potter movie and is branded with the “Harry Potter” insignia.
- DETAILS: Lionel O Gauge Systems are approximately 1:48 in scale, runs on a 3-Rail FasTrack System and are what most people envision when the think about Lionel. Any O Gauge car or locomotive can ride on Lionel O Gauge track, as long as the curve track used on your layout can accommodate your particular cars.
- FEATURES: Compatible with Lionel O Gauge / Die-cast metal trucks / Operating couplers / Opening doors
- NOTIFICATIONS: Lubricate the wheels and axles regularly to avoid squeaks and wear / Wipe with a soft cloth occasionally to clean / Recommended for ages 14 years and up
- SPECIFICATIONS: Rail Line: Warner Brothers – Harry Potter / Gauge: O Gauge / Brand: Lionel / SCALE: 1:48 / Minimum Curve: O27 / Dimensions: Length: 10.5"
- PRODUCT: Lionel Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets O Gauge Model Train Boxcar highlights four different movie clips from the Harry Potter movie and is branded with the “Harry Potter” insignia.
- DETAILS: Lionel O Gauge Systems are approximately 1:48 in scale, runs on a 3-Rail FasTrack System and are what most people envision when the think about Lionel. Any O Gauge car or locomotive can ride on Lionel O Gauge track, as long as the curve track used on your layout can accommodate your particular cars.
- FEATURES: Compatible with Lionel O Gauge / Die-cast metal trucks / Operating couplers / Opening doors
- NOTIFICATIONS: Lubricate the wheels and axles regularly to avoid squeaks and wear / Wipe with a soft cloth occasionally to clean / Recommended for ages 14 years and up
- SPECIFICATIONS: Rail Line: Warner Brothers – Harry Potter / Gauge: O Gauge / Brand: Lionel / SCALE: 1:48 / Minimum Curve: O27 / Dimensions: Length: 10.5"
- PRODUCT: Lionel Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood O Gauge Model Train Sound Boxcar parades Mister Rogers images with puppets, Mister Rogers infamous quotes, and features iconic Mister Rogers sound quotes on a timed loop.
- DETAILS: Lionel O Gauge Systems are approximately 1:48 in scale, runs on a 3-Rail FasTrack System and are what most people envision when the think about Lionel. Any O Gauge car or locomotive can ride on Lionel O Gauge track, as long as the curve track used on your layout can accommodate your particular cars.
- FEATURES: Compatible with Lionel O Gauge / Die-cast metal sprung trucks / Operating couplers / Plays iconic Mister Rogers sounds on a timed Loop / On/Off switch
- NOTIFICATIONS: Lubricate the wheels and axles regularly to avoid squeaks and wear / Wipe with a soft cloth occasionally to clean / Recommended for ages 14 years and up
- SPECIFICATIONS: Rail Line: The Fred Rogers Company – Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood / Gauge: O Gauge / Brand: Lionel / SCALE: 1:48 / Minimum Curve: O27 / Dimensions: Length: 10.5"
- Rivarossi, Italian manufacturer and now part of the Hornby Hobbies family of brands, has produced some of the most iconic locomotives in steam, diesel and electric over the last 50 years.
- Boxcars carry a wide range for crated or palletized freight all around the country, protected from the elements for all types of products and goods as they make the long haul to their destination. Switching from the originally short-lived boxcars made of wood, which degraded and became a fire hazard over time, these 50 foot boxcars are fashioned after the second/third generation of boxcars made from steel frames produced by ACF, American Car and Foundry Company.
- These boxcars ran regularly from 1955-1975 and could be seen being pulled by 1st and 2nd generation diesel locomotives or late steam. These highly detailed and authentically liveried box cars are made using high quality construction materials and come equipped with knuckle couplers and metal road wheels, featuring sliding doors.
- Hornby Hobbies offers everything for your model railway needs; from train sets, locomotives and a wide variety of rolling stock such as coaches, wagons, freight, track and so much more! Ranging from classic to modern, there is a something for everyone!
- Building your model railway layout has never been easier! Hornby offers brands such as Skaledale and Skale Scenics that bring your layout to life! From buildings, monuments, trees; adding realism to any layout or diorama.
- PRODUCT: Lionel Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone O Gauge Model Train Boxcar highlights four different movie clips from the Harry Potter movie and is branded with the “Harry Potter” insignia.
- DETAILS: Lionel O Gauge Systems are approximately 1:48 in scale, runs on a 3-Rail FasTrack System and are what most people envision when the think about Lionel. Any O Gauge car or locomotive can ride on Lionel O Gauge track, as long as the curve track used on your layout can accommodate your particular cars.
- FEATURES: Compatible with Lionel O Gauge / Die-cast metal trucks / Operating couplers / Opening doors
- NOTIFICATIONS: Lubricate the wheels and axles regularly to avoid squeaks and wear / Wipe with a soft cloth occasionally to clean / Recommended for ages 14 years and up
- SPECIFICATIONS: Rail Line: Warner Brothers – Harry Potter / Gauge: O Gauge / Brand: Lionel / SCALE: 1:48 / Minimum Curve: O27 / Dimensions: Length: 10.5"
- PRODUCT: Celebrate 65 years of Barbie with the Mattel Barbie 65th Anniversary 1970s O Gauge Model Train Boxcar by Lionel.
- DETAILS: Lionel O Gauge Systems are approximately 1:48 in scale, runs on a 3-Rail FasTrack System and are what most people envision when the think about Lionel. Any O Gauge car or locomotive can ride on Lionel O Gauge track, as long as the curve track used on your layout can accommodate your particular cars.
- FEATURES: Compatible with Lionel O Gauge / Die-cast metal trucks / Operating couplers / Opening side doors
- NOTIFICATIONS: Lubricate the wheels and axles regularly to avoid squeaks and wear / Wipe with a soft cloth occasionally to clean / Recommended for ages 14 years and up
- SPECIFICATIONS: Rail Line: Mattel - Barbie / Gauge: O Gauge / Brand: Lionel / SCALE: 1:48 / Minimum Curve: O27 / Dimensions: Length: 10.5"
- PRODUCT: Celebrate 65 years of Barbie with the Mattel Barbie 65th Anniversary 1959 O Gauge Model Train Boxcar by Lionel.
- DETAILS: Lionel O Gauge Systems are approximately 1:48 in scale, runs on a 3-Rail FasTrack System and are what most people envision when the think about Lionel. Any O Gauge car or locomotive can ride on Lionel O Gauge track, as long as the curve track used on your layout can accommodate your particular cars.
- FEATURES: Compatible with Lionel O Gauge / Die-cast metal trucks / Operating couplers / Opening side doors
- NOTIFICATIONS: Lubricate the wheels and axles regularly to avoid squeaks and wear / Wipe with a soft cloth occasionally to clean / Recommended for ages 14 years and up
- SPECIFICATIONS: Rail Line: Mattel - Barbie / Gauge: O Gauge / Brand: Lionel / SCALE: 1:48 / Minimum Curve: O27 / Dimensions: Length: 10.5"
- Blackened machined-metal wheels with RP25 contours
- Magnetically operated, body mounted E-Z Mate couplers
- Non-magnetic, blackened brass axles with needlepoint bearings
- Celcon trucks
- Added weight for optimum tracking
- PRODUCT: Celebrate 65 years of Barbie with the Mattel Barbie 65th Anniversary 1960s O Gauge Model Train Boxcar by Lionel.
- DETAILS: Lionel O Gauge Systems are approximately 1:48 in scale, runs on a 3-Rail FasTrack System and are what most people envision when the think about Lionel. Any O Gauge car or locomotive can ride on Lionel O Gauge track, as long as the curve track used on your layout can accommodate your particular cars.
- FEATURES: Compatible with Lionel O Gauge / Die-cast metal trucks / Operating couplers / Opening side doors
- NOTIFICATIONS: Lubricate the wheels and axles regularly to avoid squeaks and wear / Wipe with a soft cloth occasionally to clean / Recommended for ages 14 years and up
- SPECIFICATIONS: Rail Line: Mattel - Barbie / Gauge: O Gauge / Brand: Lionel / SCALE: 1:48 / Minimum Curve: O27 / Dimensions: Length: 10.5"
- PRODUCT: Lionel is excited to team up with Michael Malak, an amazing photographer who specializes in 1940's Hollywood glam and WWII Pinup photography, with Wings of Angels - Raquel MUSA O Gauge Model Train Boxcar.
- DETAILS: Lionel O Gauge Systems are approximately 1:48 in scale and are what most people envision when the think about Lionel. Lionel O Gauge 3-Rail FasTrack systems, which include O, O27, and FasTrack, all measure 1.25" between the outer rails. Any O Gauge product can ride on Lionel O Gauge track, as long as the curve track used in your layout can accommodate these particular cars.
- FEATURES: Compatible with Lionel O Gauge / Printed and assembled in the USA / Metal frame / Die-cast metal sprung trucks / Operating couplers / Opening doors
- NOTIFICATIONS: Lubricate the wheels and axles regularly to avoid squeaks and wear / Wipe with a soft cloth occasionally to clean / Recommended for ages 14 years and up
- SPECIFICATIONS: Rail Line: Wings of Angels / Gauge: O Gauge / Brand: Lionel / SCALE: 1:48 / Minimum Curve: O27 / Dimensions: Length: 10.5"
Best Hobby Train Boxcars Buying Guide
Before choosing the best hobby train boxcars you should consider following options:
1. Gauge: The first thing to look for when buying a new train boxcar is the gauge. The gauge is the measurement from one rail to the other. It is expressed in millimeters and may be expressed as ‘TT’ for standard gauge or ‘N’ for narrow gauge.
If you are modeling a train in North America, you will want to make sure the gauge is standard. That is the most commonplace. If you are modeling somewhere else in the world, you will want to make sure the gauge is narrow.
2. Markings: Unless you are modeling someone’s train that is all one color, you will want to make sure the boxcar you are buying has the right graphics and markings for the railroad you are modeling.
Some manufacturers make boxcars with blank sides so you can paint them yourself. Others have the graphics already printed on the sides so you don’t have to worry about it.
3. Roof Detail: Some manufacturers model their boxcars with no roof detail so you can paint the roof yourself. Some have roof hatches, roof vents, and ladder rungs printed on the roof for you to paint.
If you want to model your railroad in N scale, you will have to paint the roof anyway. If you want to model in O scale, you will have to paint the roof anyway.
4. End Detail: The ends of boxcars are very important for modeling. If you are modeling something in North America, you will want to make sure the ends have a bar and chain detail.
If you are modeling somewhere else in the world, you will want to make sure the boxcar has the right end detail. Some manufacturers model the boxcars with blank ends so you can paint the end yourself.
5. Quality: The quality of the boxcar is very important to look for when shopping. You don’t want to buy one that will fall apart after a few uses. You don’t want to buy something that is so fragile that even touching it will break it.
You want to make sure it is durable and will last you for years. Look at how it is made. Look at the materials used in making it. Look at the quality of the paint job. Look at the quality of the printed graphics.
If you are purchasing an inexpensive boxcar, you want it to be made from inexpensive materials so it won’t break the bank when buying it. If you are purchasing a more expensive boxcar, you may be able to get away with a more detailed and realistic paint job.
What else you should know about hobby train boxcars
1. What are the dimensions of a hobby train boxcar?
A hobby train boxcar is typically about 10 inches long, 4 inches wide, and 3 inches high.
2. What is the weight capacity of a hobby train boxcar?
Most toy and model trains are not designed to carry a specific weight, but rather to accommodate the weight of the track, locomotive, and any other rolling stock.
3. How many boxcars can be coupled together?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the specific type of locomotive and the length of the boxcars. In general, however, most locomotives can pull between 10 and 20 boxcars at a time.
4. What is the average speed of a hobby train?
A hobby train typically moves at around 3 to 8 miles per hour.
5. How long does it take to assemble a hobby train boxcar?
This answer could vary depending on the level of difficulty and the number of people working on the project. Generally, it would probably take a couple of hours to complete.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best hobby train boxcars. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best hobby train boxcars will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.