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Original Boxes
| This Web Page Last Updated: July 26, 2010 |
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This page contains our current inventory of Postwar Lionel original boxes. It includes component boxes, master cartons and set boxes.
* * * Grading Summary: A "grade 10" is Spectacular! A "grade 1" is downright ugly.
* * * Click on "Grade" in the 3rd column heading for a full explanation of grading.
| Postwar Lionel Original Boxes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postwar Lionel Original Set ("Outfit") Boxes: | |||||
| # | Description | Style | Grade | Price | Details |
| 2553WS | Set Box | O Corr | 6 | $ 75 | A Kraft Corrugated Containers, Inc. box from 1960 for the "Super 0" freight set headed up by a 736 Berkshire Steam Engine: In the 1960 consumer catalog, Lionel advertised this action-packed set as "The Majestic Berkshire with a Caravan of Cars!"
Photo. The box measures 16 1/2 inches long by 14 1/2 inches wide by 8 inches high. Another view. Various flaws: one corner has a 5-inch section missing and some cardboard was pieced in and taped; tears; creases; scuffs, small pieces missing, minor punctures, some dirt. Photo of the damaged corner. Even with the flaws, the box is fairly sturdy and fairly square! Photo of the bottom. This box is very useful and the set that it goes to is a rather interesting one with some very desirable cars! Original contents included: 736 Berkshire Steam Engine (with 2046W whistling streamlined tender), 3435 Aquarium Car, 3830 Flatcar with Submarine, 3429 Flatcar with operating Helicopter, 3672 operating Bosco Car and 6357 illuminated SP-type Caboose. Super 0 set boxes are difficult to locate and this one seldom comes up for sale. |
| Postwar Lionel Original Component Boxes: | |||||
| # | Description | Style | Grade | Price | Details |
| 44 | U.S. Army Mobile Missile Launcher |
C Perf | 9 | $ 75 | Here's a box that does not show up for sale very often: a perforated panel type box for the United States Army Mobile Missile Launcher sold from 1959-62.
Photo. Panel is partially separated; box is a little brittle. That's it for flaws! A solid box that is complete & square -- and very, very clean with no un-original tape anywhere! Another view. This Mead Containers box is not that easy to find -- and this one is gorgeous! A photo of the front. We have never had a 44 box available for separate sale before. |
| 50 | Gang Car | Middle Classic | 8 | $ 35 | An early-style box for the first motorized Gang Cars that were sold in 1954 & 1955:
Photo. Flaws: creases; tears; mildly distorted; glue residue inside; no insert. It is a very presentable box as it is clean plus it has both end flaps & all six inner flaps -- and there is no tape anywhere! Another view. Much harder to find than the later corrugated boxes for the Gang Cars sold from 1956 to 1964! |
| 50 | Gang Car | O Corr | 7 | $ 20 | Photo.
An orange corrugated box for the 50 Section Gang Car sold in the '60s. Another view. Stains; scrapes; small punctures. Even with the flaws, this box is very presentable. It has the integrated liner (insert) and it is a solid box -- complete, sturdy and there is no tape anywhere! Photo of the bottom of the box. The orange corrugated box was the last one used for the 50 gang car and it is much harder to find than the brown corrugated version. |
| 400 | Budd Car | Corr | 7+ | $ 95 | Photo.
A very presentable Robert Gair Co. box for the motorized RDC Budd Car sold from 1956-58: Photo of the open end. Flaws: creases; some dirt; punctures; tears; no insert. Another view. This corrugated box has the part number (400-31) on one side. Close-up of the manufacturer's data. This box is very presentable as it has all of the flaps plus it is fairly square and very sturdy. |
| 450 | Operating Signal Bridge |
Middle Classic | 6+ | $ 20 | A decent box with insert for the Overhead Signal Bridge sold from 1952-1955:
Photo. Tears; tape inside; stains; creases; a little brittle; "aged" look. Another view. A very useful box even with the flaws as it is complete and thanks to the presence of the insert, it is fairly strong. Photo of the insert. We have never had a 450 Signal Bridge box available for separate sale before. |
| 497 | Coaling Station | Corr | 7 | $ 85 | Photo.
A box and INSERT for the Coaling Station sold from 1953-58: Photo of the other two sides. The box was made by Robert Gair Co., Inc. and 497-85 is the Lionel part number. Photo of the top. Flaws: tears; small pieces of colored tape; creases; punctures; stains; "aged" look; "period" writing. Photo of the bottom. Has the elaborate insert (box liner)! Photo of the box insert. Despite the flaws, this box is solid as it is square and sturdy; it will protect your Coaling Station nicely. |
| 665 | Steamer | Corr | 9 | $ 60 | Photo.
A gorgeous and very unusual Kieckhefer Container Co. box for the 665 steam engine sold in 1966: "No. 665" is stamped on the end flaps but in the '60s, Lionel was trying to cut costs and use existing box inventory; in this case, the 665 steamer was sold using a box reflecting "2065-17" as the part number! Another view. A little dirt; creases; "aged" look. Photo of the side with the manufacturer's data. The box is clean and SOLID! |
| 665 | Steamer | Corr | 7 | $ 30 | Photo.
Another version of an original box that Lionel used for the 665 steam engine sold in 1966: this one was made by the Consolidated Container Corporation. Another view. Flaws: water stains; tears; puncture marks. Photo of the side with the manufacturer's data. The box is very presentable as it complete & square plus there is no un-original tape anywhere. |
| 736 | Berkshire | Corr | 6 | $ 30 | Photo of the sealed end.
Here's a box that does not come on the market very often: a St. Joe Paper Co., box (736-20 is the part number) for the 736 Berkshire sold in 1953: Photo of the open end. Distorted; writing; tape residue; creases; stains; punctures; no insert. Another view of the box. A few flaws but it can serve as a placeholder until a nicer one comes along. In the meantime, it will protect your engine in storage. Photo showing the manufacturer's data and year. If you have a Berkshire from 1953, this is the correct box! |
| 736W | Whistling (Streamlined) Tender |
Picture | 7+ | $ 40 | A box for the "PENNSYLVANIA" whistling scoop tender sold from 1960-1968:
Photo. Missing the interior coupler flap; tears; scuffs; creases; mildly distorted. Another view. A few flaws, but separate-sale tender boxes are very hard to come by. This one is very presentable and it is the nicest 736W we have ever had for sale separately. |
| 746W | Norfolk & Western Whistling Tender |
Late Classic | 9 | $175 | A very, very strong box for the N & W streamlined (scoop) tender sold from 1957 to 1960:
Photo. Flaws: creases; minor scuffs. The box is SOLID: complete, clean, square & sturdy plus there is no tape anywhere. It is a brick! Another view. A rather difficult box to find and this one is the nicest 746W we have ever had! |
| 2046 | Steamer | Corr | 8 | $ 75 | Photo.
A St. Joe Kraft corrugated box (2046-10 is the part number) for the 2046 steam engine sold in 1950. Photo of the sealed end. Creases; somewhat dirty; no insert. Photo of the manufacturer's data identifying the box as a 1950 item. A nice box as it is has all of the flaps and it is square & sturdy. |
| 2321 | Lackawanna FM Trainmaster | Corr | 7+ | $ 85 | Photo.
A St. Joe Paper Co. box (2321-82 is the part number) for the Lackawanna FM Diesel sold in 1954: Photo of the other end. Flaws: stains; tears; small piece of clear tape; no insert. Photo of the manufacturer's data & identification plus the year. This box is very presentable as it has all of the flaps plus it is square and fairly clean. |
| 2343C | Santa Fe F3 B unit |
Middle Classic | 6 | $ 60 | A so-so box for the earliest Santa Fe F3 Dummy "B" unit (the version with wire-cloth roof ventilators that was sold in 1950 & 1951):
Photo. Tears; creases; scrapes; lots of tape; soft; no insert. Another view. Not an easy box to find and it has lots of flaws, but it is actually fairly clean plus it has both end flaps & all four inner flaps. In addition, an insert (even a repro insert) will strengthen this box considerably. |
| 2343P | Santa Fe F3 Power A unit |
Corr | 7+ | $ 95 | A decent box for the 2343 Santa Fe Power A unit:
Photo. This corrugated box was made by the Gair Bogota Corp. (part #2343P-10). Photo showing the manufacturer's identification and technical data. Flaws: light stains, small digs on one side (probably from track pins), tears, crayon marks, a little soft. Another view. Has the insert and this box is very presentable as it is complete, fairly clean & square plus there is no un-original tape anywhere! Photo of the box insert. The 1950-51 Santa Fe diesels are relatively common but a box for either unit is tough to find. |
| 2350 | New Haven EP5 |
Corr | 8 | $125 | Photo.
An Express Container Corp. corrugated box (2350-12 is the part number) for the New Haven EP5 Electric sold from 1956-58: Another view. Flaws: stains and minor tears. Photo of the manufacturer's data & identification. This box is solid: complete, square & sturdy -- plus there is no un-original tape anywhere! |
| 2353P | Santa Fe F3 Power A unit |
Corr | 8 | $110 | A corrugated box for the 2353 Santa Fe Power A unit:
Photo. The box, which was made by the St. Joe Paper Company, has a part number of 2353-25 and is stamped with a "3" indicating that it was made in 1953. Another view. Flaws: stains; creases; distorted. Photo showing the manufacturer's identification and technical data. Has the insert, which is complete, clean and very nice!. Photo of the elaborate insert. This box is very presentable as it is complete and there is no un-original tape anywhere! The Santa Fe diesels (which were sold from 1953 to 1955) are relatively common -- a box available for separate sale is not. |
| 2419 | Wrecking Car | Art Deco Classic |
8 | $ 90 | Earliest style postwar box for the D. L. & W. work caboose.
Photo. Tears; punctures; scuffs; creases. Another view. Has the insert! Photo of the elaborate insert. The box is nice -- complete, fairly clean, square and there is no tape anywhere! Thanks to the presence of the insert, the box is solid and rather brick like! It is one of the nicest 2419 boxes we have ever had. |
| 2426W | Tender with Whistle |
Middle Classic | 5 | $ 75 | Here's an item we have never had available for separate sale before: a box for the early coal-style, semi-scale "LIONEL LINES" whistling tender that came with the 726 Berkshire from 1946-1949 and with the 773 Hudson in 1950:
Photo. Missing the tuck on one end and there are two un-original inner flaps on that same end; lots of tape; creases; tears; scuffs; writing; erasure marks; a little soft). Has the original insert (some writing). Another view. Despite the many flaws, this box is useful as it does have both end flaps and thanks to the presence of the insert, the box is fairly square & sturdy. It will protect your tender in storage plus it can serve as a placeholder until a better one comes along. Photo of the box insert. The box is rough but it is a very, very hard box to find separately. |
| The following three boxes are for the silver, red-lettered "027" Passenger Cars from 1956-58 and are being sold as a package: | |||||
| 2432 | Illuminated Vista-Dome Car |
Late Classic | 8 | | | \ / |
A very presentable box for the Clifton Vista Dome Car:
Photo. Tape; tape residue; creases. Another view. This box is solid -- complete, clean and "square." |
| 2434 | Illuminated Pullman Car |
Late Classic | 8 | | | \ / |
A very presentable box for the Newark Pullman Car:
Photo. Tape; tape residue; seam is open. Another view. This box is solid -- complete, clean and "square." |
| 2436 | Illuminated Observation Car |
Late Classic | 8 | | | \ / |
A very presentable box for EITHER the Summit Observation Car or the Mooseheart Observation Car:
Photo. Tape; tape residue; a little wavy. Another view. This box is solid -- complete, clean and "square." |
|
$150 for all three passenger car boxes described above.
These boxes are from the same original set; they are matched in every way: style, condition, cleanliness, completeness, color and flaws! | |||||
| 2434 | Illuminated Pullman Car |
Middle Classic | 8 | $ 75 | A very nice (earlier-style) box for the Newark Pullman Car sold in 1954 & 1955:
Photo. Creases; minor tears; small bumps; some dirt. Another view. This box is solid -- complete, square, rather brick-like and there is no tape anywhere! |
| 2532 | Vista Dome | Late Classic | 8+ | $ 60 | A very, very nice box for the illuminated Silver Range extruded-aluminum Vista Dome Passenger Car sold from 1956-58:
Photo. Tears on one end flap (probably from someone removing a store price sticker); minor tears. Another view. Note: this is the later- (shorter-) style box which measures 17 inches long and did not come with an insert but instead has inside coupler flaps to hold the car in place. This box is SOLID -- complete, clean, square, rather brick-like and there is no tape anywhere! |
| 3359 | Operating Dump Car |
Late Classic | 7 | $ 25 | Photo.
One end is missing an inner flap & the tuck and that end is taped shut; mild crease; "aged" look; no insert. Another view. A few flaws but this box is still presentable as it is square, fairly clean and has both end flaps. The 3359 box is hard to find nice and this one is better than most. |
| 3419 | Helicopter Car | Perf. Panel | 7 | $ 30 SOLD |
A box for the operating Helicopter Car sold in 1959 & 1960:
Photo. Missing one interior coupler flap on one end and the end flap is taped shut; additional tape elsewhere; writing on the back; tears from tape removal; scuffs; creases; panel partially separated; missing the front "Push" tab. Another view. A variety of flaws but this box is clean & square and thanks to all the tape, it is fairly sturdy. Photo of the front. An old store price sticker on the box provides a little history of this item's contents: the helicopter car was originally sold by "Snellenburg's" -- a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania based middle class department store established in 1869! Sadly, they closed their doors in 1962. |
| 3435 | Traveling Aquarium Car |
Perf. Panel | 5 | $ 30 | A crummy box for the operating, illuminated Aquarium Car sold from 1959-62:
Photo. Missing the front panel; has one un-original inner flap; loads of tape; amateur repairs; scrapes; tears; creases; punctures. Another view. A myriad of flaws but this box has both end flaps and most of the interior flaps -- it can serve as a placeholder until a better one comes along. Photo of the front. |
| 3461X-25 | Automatic Lumber Car |
Middle Classic | 6 | $ 25 | A so-so box for the green Log Dump sold in 1954 & 1955:
Photo. Missing both an inner flap & the tuck on one end flap and that end is taped shut; missing a small piece of the box on the other end; tears; some writing; creases. Another view. The smaller-style box with no liner (insert) and the "3461X" on the end flaps & sides indicate that this box housed a car was originally part of a set -- not a separate sale item. A decent box even with the flaws as it is fairly clean and fairly square. This is the first time we have ever offered a 3461-25 box for sale. |
| 3469X | Automatic Dump Car |
Middle Classic | 7 | $ 20 | A decent box for the Coal Dump Car sold from 1949-1955:
Photo. Missing both interior coupler flaps; tape; creases; scrapes; small stains. Another view. This is the smaller (10 1/2 by 2 1/2 by 2 5/8 inch) box. The smaller-style box with no liner (insert) and the "3469X" on the end flaps & sides indicate that this box housed a car was originally part of a set -- not a separate sale item. A very presentable box even with the flaws as it is fairly clean and fairly square. |
| 3482 | Operating Milk Car |
Middle Classic | 7+ | $ 30 | Large postwar box for the last postwar "027" Milk Car AND platform.
Photo. Flaws: tears; creases; scuffs; minor stains; lots of tape but only on the inside; no insert. Another view. A very presentable box even with the flaws as it is fairly clean plus it has both end flaps and all four inner flaps. It is the nicest 3482 box we have ever offered for separate sale. |
| 3512 | Operating Fireman & Ladder Car |
Perf. Panel | 6 | $ 25 | A so-so box for the Operating Fireman & Ladder Car that was sold from 1959-61:
Photo. Missing one interior coupler flap & an interior flap on one end and the end flap (which is upside down) is taped shut; lots of tape; creases; tears; scuffs; panel partially separated. Another view. Loads of flaws but this box is clean & square and thanks to all the tape, it is fairly sturdy. Photo of the front. Not an easy box to find! |
| 3562-25 | Operating Barrel Car |
Middle Classic | 7 | $ 30 | A very presentable box for the operating (gray) Barrel Car that was sold in 1954:
Photo. Missing the tuck on one end flap and that end is taped shut; creases; tears; writing; no insert. Another view. A decent box even with the flaws as it is fairly clean and fairly square. It is a hard box to find nice and this one is better than most. |
| 3656 | Inner box for just the Operating Cattle Car |
Middle Classic | 9 | $ 35 | A very nice box for the 3656 Cattle Car sold from 1949-55:
Photo. Minor stains; minor tears; minor scrapes; some discoloration from age. Another view. The box is one of the nicest 3656 boxes we have ever had; it is solid -- clean, complete, square & sturdy and there is no tape anywhere! |
| 3830 | Flat Car with Operating Submarine |
Perf. Panel | 7 | $ 30 | A box for the flatcar with U.S. Navy sub.
Photo. Missing the front panel; tears; creases. Another view. Despite the flaws the box is decent -- it is useful as it has all of the flaps, it is fairly clean, there is no tape anywhere plus it is not an easy one to find! |
| 6020W | Whistling Tender | Early Classic | 7 | $ 75 | A box for the early coal-style tender which came with 2020 Turbines in 1948 & 1949:
Photo. Missing the tuck on one end flap and that end is taped shut; lots of tape inside; tears; creases; scuffs; un-original (or possibly homemade) insert. Another view. Even with the flaws, this box is decent as it is fairly clean and fairly square. Photo of the un-original insert. The 6020W box is not an easy one to find! |
| 6415 | Tank Car | Middle Classic | 9 | $ 25 | A very, very nice box for the Sunoco 3-dome Tank Car sold from 1953-55:
Photo. "aged" look; minor tears. Another view. The nicest 6415 box we have ever had available for separate sale: it is a virtual brick -- clean, complete, square & sturdy plus there is no tape anywhere! |
| 6427 | Caboose | Middle Classic | 7+ | $ 25 | A very strong box for the Lionel Lines N5c porthole caboose sold in 1954 and 1955:
Photo. Missing one interior coupler flap; tears; creases; punctures; "aged" look. Even with the flaws, this box is presentable as it is square and there is no tape anywhere. Another view. |
| 6430 | Trailer Flat Car |
Late Classic | 6 | $ 20 | A box for the flatcar with either gray or white vans.
Photo. Missing one interior coupler flap & a small piece of one end flap; stains; tears; one end flap is creased. Another view. Even with the flaws, this box is useful -- it is fairly square and very sturdy plus there is no tape anywhere. |
| 6446-25 | Cement Car | Middle Classic | 8 | $ 40 | A strong box for the Norfolk & Western covered quad hopper sold in 1955:
Photo. Missing one interior coupler flap; tears; creases; small stains. Another view. A very presentable box: fairly clean, square & sturdy plus there is no tape anywhere. It is not an easy box to find separately. |
| 6454 | S. P. Box Car |
Middle Classic | 7 | $ 25 | A box for the later Southern Pacific Boxcar.
Photo. Aged tape on both end flaps; tape inside; creases; stains. Even with the flaws, the box is decent as it is complete and square. Photo of the "nicer" end. This is the smaller (8 3/4 inch in length) box for the 1949 SP boxcar without steps. |
| 6462 | Red Gondola Car |
Middle Classic | 6 | $ 8 | A so-so box for the red New York Central long Gondola.
Photo. Missing the tuck on one end flap and that end is taped shut; tears; creases; scrapes; discolored; heavily taped. Lots of flaws but the box is square and thanks to all of the tape, it is fairly sturdy. Another view. This is the shorter (9 3/4 inch) box (without interior coupler flaps) from 1950-55 for the N.Y.C. gondola without steps! |
| 6464-50 | Minneapolis & St. Louis Boxcar |
Middle Classic | 7 | $ 35 | A decent box for the M & St L boxcar sold from 1953-55:
Photo. Tape; tears; scuffs; small piece missing near one end flap. Another view. Even with the flaws, this box is presentable as it is clean, complete, square & sturdy. |
| 6464-425 | New Haven Boxcar | Late Classic | 7+ | $ 35 | A decent box for the NH Boxcar:
Photo. Tears; tape; stains. Another view. A very presentable box: complete, fairly clean, square & sturdy. It's also a very interesting box as it appears to reflect one of Lionel's cost-cutting measures as the stock number on each end flap looks fainter than other Late Classic boxes possibly from a different stamping process or conserving ink. In any case, it looks very different as compared to other boxes from the same era. |
| 6511 | Pipe Car | Middle Classic | 7 | $ 25 | A presentable box for the earlier version of the flatcar with pipes sold from 1953-55:
Photo. Missing one interior coupler flap; tears; creases; dents; mildly distorted. Another view. Even with the flaws, this box is decent as it is fairly clean and there is no tape anywhere! |
| 6517 | Caboose | Middle Classic | 6 | $20 | A box for the Lionel Lines Bay Window Caboose sold in 1955:
Photo. Creases; tears; lots of tape; stains; holes; a little soft; "aged" look. Another view. Even with the flaws, this box is useful as it has both end flaps and all of the inner flaps. This is the first early 6517 box we have had available for sale separately. |
| 6562-25 | Canister Car | Late Classic | 9 | $ 50 | A spectacular box for the red New York Central long gondola sold from 1956-58:
Photo. Has one tear and one small crease. That's it for flaws! Another view. The box is very, very nice! It is clean, complete, square and there is no tape anywhere. It has to be one of the nicest 6562-25 boxes on the planet! |
| Box Types | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Description | ~~~ | Abbreviation | Description |
| Art Deco | Orange & blue; bold blue lettering | ~~~ | Hagers | Hagerstown |
| Early Classic | Orange & Blue w/ San Francisco | ~~~ | Hills | Hillside |
| Middle Classic | Numbers on all sides; no San Fran | ~~~ | O Corr | Orange Corrugated |
| OPS Classic | Preprinted OPS stamp on side | ~~~ | Perf | Orange & White Perforated Panel |
| Late Classic | Numbers only on end flaps | ~~~ | Pic | Orange & White Picture |
| Corr | Brown Corrugated | ~~~ | W Corr | White Corrugated |
| C Perf | Corrugated; Perforated Panel | ~~~ | Win | Window |
| FO | Factory Overstamped | ~~~ | Y Corr | Yellow Corrugated |
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