This page contains our current inventory of Postwar Lionel cabooses and work cabooses.
* * * Click on "Yes" in the Photo column to see a picture.
* * * Click on "Grade" in the 3rd column heading for an explanation of grading.
| Postwar Lionel Cabooses and Work Cabooses | |||||
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| Catalog # | Item | Grade | Photo | Price | Description & More Information |
| 2357 | SP Caboose | VG+/OB | Yes | $ 60 SOLD |
A caboose that does not come up for sale very often: the illuminated, Tuscan-painted Southern Pacific caboose from 1947-48. Later production with brake wheels mounted on the outside of the railings; has matching painted, plastic smokestack and staple-end trucks with dual coil couplers.
Photo of the other side. The cab has a few light scratches and small paint chips plus the smokestack has a little paint loss on one side. The back metal railing has some paint loss. The flaws do not detract from the overall appearance of this caboose as it is still very clean with very strong lettering and of course, it does light! Photo of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 4 original box (missing the tuck & a small piece of one end flap and that end is taped shut; stains; missing small pieces; loads of tape; tears; creases; scuffs; no insert). Not pretty by any means but this box will protect the caboose in shipment and in storage. Another view of the box. We have only had a few 2357 cabooses over the years as they are not easy to find nice. This one is very presentable. |
| 2420 | D L & W Work Caboose |
E++/OB | Yes | $175 SOLD |
The deluxe wrecking caboose with searchlight, die-cast frame, handrails, ladder, smokestack and staple-end trucks with dual coil couplers. Dark-gray frame with heat-stamped, serif lettering. Version from 1947 with reinforced squares on the underside of the frame.
Photo of the other side. Original cab is dark gray with black, heat-stamped, serif lettering; original tool boxes are dark gray. An "aerial" view. Minimal flaws -- it is very clean with nice, crisp lettering -- and of course, it does light! Photo of the box. Grade 7+ original box (missing the tuck on one end flap and that end is taped shut; minor tears; scrapes; some dirt); Another view of the box. Has the elaborate insert and even with the flaws, this box is solid: fairly clean, square & sturdy! Photo of the box insert. A good-looking caboose in a very, very strong box -- and a very useful layout piece as well! |
| 2472 | Pennsylvania N5 Caboose |
Ex. | Yes | $ 35 | Old-fashioned, red-painted, tinplate caboose from 1947; has white lettering plus staple-end trucks with single coil coupler. Version with "EASTERN DIV." on the sides.
Photo of the other side. A few paint chips plus a small "dent" on one side near the bottom; the ends of the frame have some paint loss (common on this caboose). The body is clean with strong lettering. An "aerial" view of the roof. This "little old red caboose" should be a welcome addition to anyone with a freight train on a layout! |
| 6017 (-60) | U. S. M. C. Caboose |
E+++/OB | Yes | $ 95 | A dark-blue, painted "UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS" caboose from 1958 only: catalogued by Lionel as "6017-60" but "601750" appears on the sides! Has white, heat-stamped lettering with the USMC logo plus AAR trucks with one operating coupler.
Photo of the other side. A spectacular caboose: very, very clean with vibrant paint, crisp lettering, and a rust-free frame! Photo of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 7 original (and correct "-60") box (one un-original end flap which is taped shut; tears; tape inside; "aged" look). Even with the flaws, this box is decent as it is clean, square & sturdy! Another view of the box. A sharp caboose in a presentable box. |
| 6130 | Santa Fe Work Caboose |
E+/OB | Yes | $110 | An ATSF work caboose from the early 1960s: has a red-painted cab and red-painted tool tray plus a black-painted frame with white, rubber-stamped serif lettering and early AAR trucks with one operating coupler.
Photo of the other side. Small paint chips plus a little box rub and that's about it for flaws! The cab & tool tray are very clean with sharp graphics, strong lettering and nice vibrant paint! One frame step has a little paint loss at the crease and that's it for flaws. The frame is very, very clean with crisp lettering! An "aerial" view. Photo of the box. Grade 8+ original "Picture" box (tears; creases; scuffs). The box is solid: clean, complete, square & sturdy and there is no tape anywhere! Another view of the box. The 6130 ATSF is one of the few work cabooses made by Lionel in the postwar era with a roadname other than D L & W. This one is sharp and it comes in a very strong box that is rather scarce! |
| 6167 (-85) | Union Pacific Caboose | ====== E++ Un-run OB ====== |
Yes | $ 40 | A sharp yellow UP caboose with black, heat-stamped lettering: uncatalogued from 1963-66 and catalogued in 1969, this SP-type caboose has the earlier-style, chemically-blackened frame with end rails plus early AAR trucks with one operating coupler.
Photo of the other side. Minimal flaws! It is very, very clean with crisp lettering and a nice, rust-free frame plus it was NEVER USED! An "aerial" view. Photo of the box. Grade 5 original "over-stamped picture" box (missing the tuck on one end flap and that end is taped shut; un-original tuck on the other end flap; tears; scrapes; creases; writing; loads of tape). Not a great box but it has both end flaps and all four inner flaps; it will protect the caboose in shipping and in storage. Another view of the box. The 6167 UP caboose usually came unboxed in sets and it occasionally surfaces in Hillside Checkerboard boxes. The over-stamping on this box looks factory and the box style is consistent with two of the years that this caboose was offered; however, existing books provide no reference to this box. In any case, it is a good-looking, brand new caboose! |
| Two different versions of the 6357 SP Caboose: | |||||
| 6357 | S P Caboose | E++/OB | Yes | $ 35 | Illuminated, maroon, Southern Pacific caboose from 1952-53. Version with one brakewheel, black die-cast smokestack and bar-end trucks with single magnetic coupler.
Photo of the other side. A very nice piece with almost no wheel wear! It is very clean with nice lettering and minimal flaws -- and of course, it does light! Photo of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 5 original box (tears; creases; writing; mildly distorted; loads of tape). Lots of flaws but the box is clean and complete -- it will protect the caboose in shipping and in storage. Another view of the box. A great-looking caboose! |
| 6357 | S P Caboose | VG | Yes | $ 20 | Illuminated, tile red, Southern Pacific caboose from early 1948: has two ladders, one brakewheel, no smokestack and staple-end trucks with single coil coupler.
Photo of the other side. Has some paint loss on the roof near one ladder, a couple of faded (but very readable) letters and the usual paint loss on the end railings. Overall, it is a good-looking caboose: clean with a rust-free frame -- and of course, it does light! Photo of the roof. The tile-red 6357 is far less common than the later versions with a smokestack. |
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| 6417 (-1) | Pennsylvania N5c Caboose |
E+/OB | Yes | $295 | The RARE Pennsylvania porthole caboose WITHOUT "New York Zone" on the sides! Sold in 1954-55, this illuminated, Tuscan-painted caboose has white heat-stamped lettering plus bar-end trucks with dual tab couplers.
Photo of the other side. A little box rub and that is it for flaws! It is very, very clean with crisp lettering and vibrant paint plus it has the original (and intact) end railings -- and of course, it does light! An "aerial" view. Photo of the box. Grade 8+ original box (tears; tape residue; minor stains). The box is solid: clean, complete, square & sturdy -- and there is no tape anywhere! It is a brick and it is also the correct "-1" box for the no "New York Zone" caboose. Another view of the box. Only the second time we have had this item for sale. It is one of the hardest postwar cabooses to find and this one is sharp -- and in a very high-quality and scarce box! |
| 6417 (-25) | Lionel Lines N5c Caboose |
E+++/OB | Yes | $ 95 | A very, very nice, illuminated, Tuscan-painted, porthole caboose from 1954 only: has white lettering and bar-end trucks with dual magnetic couplers. Catalogued by Lionel as "6417-25" although the caboose is actually numbered "64173" on the sides.
Photo of the other side. A very, very clean piece with sharp lettering plus it has original ends with no cracks. An "aerial" view. Photo of the box. Grade 8+ original box (small creases; "period" writing; old store stamp; "aged" look). This box is SOLID: fairly clean, complete, square and sturdy plus there is no tape anywhere! It is also the correct ("-25") box for this caboose. Another view of the box. Sharp caboose that is much harder to find than the 6417 Pennsylvania caboose or the 6427 Lionel Lines caboose -- and in a very, very strong box! |
| 6417-50 | LEHIGH VALLEY N5c Caboose |
E++/OB | Yes | $2,350 SOLD |
Here's a caboose that is missing from just about everyone's collection: the RARE Tuscan-painted, porthole caboose from just one set in 1954 only! Illuminated with white lettering plus bar-end trucks with dual magnetic couplers.
Photo of the other side. Minimal flaws -- very, very clean with crisp lettering and nice even paint. Has the original end railings plus there are no cracks anywhere -- and it does light! Photo of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 8+ original box (tears; creases on one end flap). A solid box: complete, clean, square and sturdy -- plus there is no tape anywhere! It is the correct "-50" box for the Lehigh Valley caboose. Another view of the box. A gorgeous and VERY, VERY SCARCE caboose! Only the second Tuscan LV caboose we have ever handled -- it is a rare variation that is thought to be a factory error! In any case, it is a tough item to find and a prize that does not come around very often! Our Archives Page has more information on 6417-50 Lehigh Valley Cabooses. |
| 6420 | D L & W Searchlight Work Caboose |
E+/OB | Yes | $160 | The deluxe wrecking caboose with searchlight, die-cast frame, handrails, ladder, smokestack and staple-end trucks with dual magnetic couplers. Has a dark-gray die-cast frame with heat-stamped, serif lettering.
Photo of the other side. The cab is dark gray with black, heat-stamped, serif lettering and the tool boxes are dark gray. An "aerial" view. A few light surface scratches on one of the tool boxes and the searchlight housing is somewhat tarnished. That's it for flaws. This all-original caboose is nice: clean with strong lettering -- and of course, it does light! Photo of the box. Grade 8 original box (tears; tape inside; scuffs; minor stains). Another view of the box. Has a reproduction insert (box liner) that is really well-done and this box is SOLID: clean, square and sturdy and thanks to the presence of the insert, the box is rather brick-like. It is also not an easy box to find! Photo of the box insert. The 6420 caboose is difficult to locate in collector-quality condition with all original parts. This "Searchlight Wrecking Car" from 1948-50 is a useful piece and would be a nice addition to any work train on a layout to provide illumination to clear night-time wrecks. |
| ===== 6427 (-500) ===== |
Pennsylvania N5c Caboose |
E+/OB | Yes | $375 | The pastel-blue painted porthole caboose from the GIRLS' SET! It is illuminated with white, heat-stamped lettering and has bar-end trucks with single tab coupler -- and it is ORIGINAL!!!
Photo of the other side. Some box rub on the high spots and around the edges and that's about it for flaws! It is sharp -- very clean with crisp lettering and vibrant paint! A good-looking piece and of course, it does light! Photo of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 7+ original box (tears; creases; writing; stains). Even with the flaws, this box is solid: fairly clean, complete, square & sturdy and there is no tape anywhere! It is also the correct "-500" box for the Girls' caboose. Another view of the box. This very scarce item was available only in 1957 & 1958. It is the most unusual caboose produced by Lionel in the postwar era and has become one of the most sought-after items by collectors. This is only the second boxed Girls' Caboose we have ever had for sale and it is a nice one! |
| Two different versions of the 6457 SP-type Caboose: | |||||
| 6457 | Lionel Caboose | E+/OB | Yes | $ 45 | Illuminated, brown-painted SP-type caboose from 1952 only: has white lettering plus bar-end trucks with magnetic couplers.
Photo of the other side. The 6457 was the top-of-the-line Lionel caboose during its time and has these deluxe features: interior light, window shell, die-cast smokestack, battery boxes, ladders, end railings, two brakewheels and dual couplers. Photo of the roof. The bottom of the metal frame has some scratches and the pick-up roller assembly was replaced at some point. Minimal flaws on the cab -- it is very, very clean with nice lettering and vibrant paint -- and of course, it does light! Photo of the box. Grade 7+ original box (tears; scrapes; "aged" look). The box is very presentable: complete, fairly clean, square and sturdy -- plus there is no tape anywhere! Another view of the box. A sharp-looking, premium caboose! The 6457 caboose came in many sets and has long been a favorite with both collectors and operators. |
| 6457 | Lionel Caboose | E+/OB | Yes | $ 30 SOLD |
Illuminated, brown-painted SP-type caboose from 1949-51: has white lettering plus staple-end trucks with magnetic couplers.
Photo of the other side. The 6457 was the top-of-the-line Lionel caboose during its time and has these deluxe features: interior light, window shell, die-cast smokestack, battery boxes, ladders, end railings, two brakewheels and dual couplers. Photo of the roof. Some rust on the ladders and end rails and that's about it for flaws. The caboose is very, very clean overall with nice lettering and vibrant paint -- and of course, it does light! Photo of the box. Grade 5 original box (missing one interior coupler flap; has unsightly brown tape & tape residue on two sides and a little on one end flap; tears; scrapes; mildly distorted; tape inside; small stains; "period" writing). Lots of flaws, but the box is fairly square and it has both end flaps; it will protect the caboose in shipping and in storage. Another view of the box; brace yourself, this view is ugly. A good-looking, premium caboose! The 6457 caboose came in many sets and has long been a favorite with both collectors and operators. |
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| Two different versions of the 6517 Lionel Lines Bay Window Caboose: | |||||
| 6517 | Bay Window Caboose |
E++/OB | Yes | $135 | Illuminated, red caboose from 1955. This one is the harder-to-find (earliest) version with the "BLT 12-55 / LIONEL" lettering underscored.
Photo of the other side. Common hairline screw crack (no loss of plastic) and that's about it for flaws! It is ALL-ORIGINAL, very, very clean with crisp lettering & graphics, vibrant paint and a nice rust-free frame. Photo of the roof. Tested and of course, the caboose does light! File photo showing the 1955 underscored version & the 1956-59 lettering. Photo of the box. Grade 7+ original box (tears; tape on the inside; creases; a little wavy; "aged" look). Despite the flaws, this box is solid: clean, complete & sturdy! It is also the correct ("Middle Classic") box for this 1955 caboose. Another view of the box. The Bay Window caboose was the largest caboose offered by Lionel in the postwar era. It only came as a deluxe model with interior lighting, fancy passenger car-type trucks, operating couplers, ladders and a die-cast smokestack. The underscored version was made only in 1955 and the box is not an easy one to find. This example is sharp and the box is very presentable! |
| 6517 | Bay Window Caboose |
====== E++ Un-run OB ====== |
Yes | $125 | Illuminated, red caboose from 1956-59 that was NEVER USED! This one is the later version with no "Built date" underscoring.
Photo of the other side. Common frame tab crack (small and no loss of plastic) and that's about it for flaws! It is ALL-ORIGINAL, very, very clean with crisp lettering & graphics, vibrant paint and a nice rust-free frame. We "bench tested" the caboose and it does light! Has the original inspection slip! Photo of the inspection slip and an "aerial" view of the caboose. Photo of the box. Grade 9 original box (tape; minor tears; creases; surface cuts). The box is SOLID: clean, complete, square and sturdy! It is also the correct ("Late Classic") box for this version of the 6517 caboose. Another view of the box. The Bay Window caboose was the largest caboose offered by Lionel in the postwar era. It only came as a deluxe model with interior lighting, fancy passenger car-type metal trucks, operating couplers, ladders and a die-cast smokestack. This one is sharp -- and it's in one of the nicest 6517 boxes we have ever had! |
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Everyone knows what a Caboose is, but did you know that it has many colorful nicknames? Some of these affectionate terms include buggy, brain-box, crummy, hack, and monkey cage plus some that are not printable here. Did you know that the Conductor (who is the boss of the train) actually runs the train from the Caboose?
Lionel made various styles of Cabooses in the Postwar era including the SP-type, bay-window, porthole (N5C), work cabooses with either tool boxes or an open bin, and even one that smoked. Some were lighted inside, some had a searchlight, some were made of metal, some had a real roadname (many said Lionel Lines) and some were plain while others were very attractive.
Your freight train needs a Caboose. Your work train needs a Caboose as well.
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