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3540 Operating Radar Car (1959 - 1960)

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About This Space & Military Series Car

The 3540 Operating Radar Car was introduced by Lionel in 1959 and was sold for two years (through 1960). It is also called the Operating Radar Scanning Scope Car. The 3540 is essentially a flatcar with a gray superstructure that provides the setting for all of the operating features of this car. A blue man sits at a console with an illuminated radar screen in front of him. The simulated screen has a green background with white dots and a black grid. One end of the superstructure has a revolving antenna with a radar screen affixed to it. The other end of the superstructure has a yellow post with radar antenna dishes. Each side of the superstructure has a control panel. The mold number on the frame of the car is 6511-2. There is only one known version of this car. The 3540 always came with AAR trucks.

Photos of the 3540 Operating Radar Car
Photo of the right side of a 3540 Operating Radar Car
ABOVE: right side -- man at console. BELOW: left side -- view of antennas.
Photo of the left side of a 3540 Operating Radar Car

Additional Details

The 3540 is part of Lionel's "Space & Military" series. Like many of the items from that series, the car has many fragile parts, including the radar antenna, radar screen, "horn," console screen, antenna post, and antenna dishes. Because these parts are delicate, it is difficult to find a car that is all original with nothing broken. In addition, the original rubber-band-like part used to operate the revolving antenna always disintegrated due to the use of different materials that proved to be incompatible. Reproduction parts are available. Note that this car is very similar to the 3545 Operating TV Monitor Car in operation, appearance and the shared use of various parts.

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This page is an information document only; nothing on this web page is being offered for sale. This page and all of the other pages from Our Archives were developed to assist you in understanding differences in variations of engines, rolling stock, cabooses, passenger cars, and accessories sold by Lionel in the postwar era. We have used pictures from our old files and personal collection to construct this area of our website to show the characteristics of collectible variations. If you are interested in buying something, please go to one of our inventory listings to see what we currently have for sale.

This web page was last updated on September 6, 2005. If you have suggestions for improving this page or if you see any errors, please contact us.

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