I recieved the new USA sample today. I cobbled up some coupler mounting blocks for the KD’s. The USA is on the left. I suppose the USA could be lowered by removing the spacer on the bolster. But the trucks would have to have a small piece glued on so they would ride on the bolster better. The USA is a little bigger overall than the LGB, but not much. They will look good running together.
The USA units are from the old Lionel molds. They don’t look too bad, but the wheel placement is wrong, as you can see compared to the LGB or the MDC.
I have a page with some pictures: http://www.elmassian.com/trains-mainmenu-27/rolling-stock-mods-aamp-tips-mainmenu-33/lionel-rolling-stock/lionel-ore-cars
Regards, Greg
Yes, indeed, Greg.
Good pics from your website.
I will try to lower the USA car. There’s not much I can do about truck placement.
As far as I’m concerned the only plus with the USA is it comes with metal wheels.
The detail is almost as good as LGB. But I use the 10’ rule. 
Greg,
The ore cars look to be from different prototypes.
The truck placement of the LGB is the most common.
But I have seen steam era ore cars with truck placement as with the Lionel/USA car.
What I haven’t seen is an ore car with that truck placement sporting the ugly “step bumper”. Removing it would make the car look better.
Ralph