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 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalog # | Item | Grade | Photo | Price | Description & More Information |
| 2457 | Pennsylvania N5 Caboose | Ex./OB | Yes | $135 | Old-fashioned, tinplate, LIGHTED P.R.R. caboose from 1946 with staple-end trucks and dual coil couplers. Car is actually numbered "477618" on the sides but catalogued by Lionel as "2457."
Photo of the other side. Version with red body and red smokestack plus black window frames and with "EASTERN DIV." on the sides. Has white lettering plus the more desirable (and more realistic-looking) double steps at each of the corners. The 2457 is a deluxe caboose with illumination, window inserts, die-cast smokestack, battery box, air pump, end rails with ladders and a brakestand at each end. It is a much harder caboose to find than the non-lighted 2472. Photo of the roof. Common paint loss on the railing platforms plus a few paint chips on the roof but that's about it for flaws! The caboose is very clean overall with very strong lettering and nice vibrant paint plus the rubber-stamped "2457" on the underside of the frame is clearly visible. Another view of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 7 original box (tears; creases; glue residue; tape inside; "aged" look). Another view of the box. Has the insert (liner) and this box is solid: fairly clean, complete, square and sturdy! Thanks to the presence of the insert, this box has a brick-like feel to it! It is also not an easy box to find! Photo of the elaborate box insert. The 2457 was sold from 1945 to 1947; however, the "Art Deco" box (without the Toy Manufacturers Association logo) plus the combination of the double steps and the closed-base type trucks with dual coil couplers all help to date this piece as a 1946 item! A nicely-detailed caboose that is loaded with just about every top-of-the-line feature offered by Lionel in that era -- plus it comes with a very strong box! Great for the display shelf or for an operating layout as the light and couplers work! These early postwar items (which are essentially prewar carry-over designs) are getting harder and harder to find in collector-quality condition. |
| 6017 (-1) | Lionel Lines Caboose |
E+/OB | Yes | $ 35 | A brown-painted SP-type caboose with white, heat-stamped lettering from the late 50s and early 60s:
Photo of the other side. Has a brown body mold and a painted tab frame plus early AAR trucks with one operating coupler. An "aerial" view of the roof. Stress discoloration (not cracked or bent) on one roof panel plus a small amount of paint loss on one of the frame tabs. That's it for flaws; the body is very, very clean with superb lettering and the frame is very, very clean and rust free! Another view of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 7 original box (tears; creases; tape inside; panel partially separated; "aged" look; missing the "PUSH" tab). Another view of the box. A few flaws but the box has both end flaps and all four inner flaps plus it is clean, square and sturdy! It is also the correct "-1" perforated panel box for this version of the 6017 caboose. A view of the front of the box. This caboose was the "plain-Jane" model that came in many, many sets. Although generally rather common, the combination of the condition of this caboose and the presence of the box makes this a somewhat uncommon piece. |
| 6017 (-60) | U. S. M. C. Caboose |
====== E++ Un-run OB ====== |
Yes | $185 | A dark-blue, painted "UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS" caboose from 1958 only that was NEVER USED! Catalogued by Lionel as "6017-60" but "601750" appears on the sides! Has white, heat-stamped lettering with the USMC logo plus early AAR trucks with one operating coupler.
Photo of the other side. Common paint loss on the metal frame tabs and that's it for flaws! The body is gorgeous: very, very clean with nice vibrant paint, spectacular lettering! Photo of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 8 original (and correct "-60") box (tears; creases; stains; "aged" look). A solid box: clean, complete, square & sturdy! Another view of the box. A stunning caboose in a very strong box! |
| 6357 | Lionel Caboose |
E++/OB | Yes | $ 55 | Illuminated, maroon SP-type caboose from 1957-59: version with "6357" on the left on each side and a black, die-cast smokestack plus metal, bar-end trucks with single tab coupler.
Photo of the other side. Minimal flaws! It is a very, very nice caboose: clean with crisp lettering and nice vibrant paint -- and of course, it does light! An "aerial" view. Photo of the box. Grade 6+ original box (missing the interior coupler flap; tears; creases; scrapes; glue residue; tape inside; "period" price stamping; "aged" look). The box has a few flaws but it is clean, square and sturdy! It is also the correct "Late Classic" box for this version of the 6357 caboose. Another view of the box. After the 6457 was discontinued, the 6357 became Lionel's top-of-the-line SP-type caboose. The 6357 caboose was sold from 1948 to 1961 but the type III lettering, "Late Classic" box, truck style and tab coupler all help to date this piece as a 1957-1959 item! |
| 6417 (-1) | Pennsylvania N5c Caboose |
E++/OB | Yes | $325 | The very scarce Pennsylvania porthole caboose without "New York Zone" on the sides! Sold only in 1957, this illuminated, Tuscan-painted caboose has white heat-stamped lettering plus bar-end trucks with dual tab couplers.
Photo of the other side. Minimal flaws! It is very, very clean and completely intact with nice lettering and vibrant paint plus it has the original end railings -- and of course, it does light! An "aerial" view. Photo of the box. Grade 8 original box (creases; minor tears). This box is clean, complete, square & sturdy -- and there is no tape anywhere! It is SOLID and it is also the correct "-1" box for the no "New York Zone" caboose. Another view of the box. An unusual and high-quality caboose in the right box! It is also one of the hardest postwar cabooses to find. |
| 6417-50 | LEHIGH VALLEY N5c Caboose |
E++ | Yes | $160 | Illuminated, gray-painted, porthole caboose from just one set in 1954 only! Has red heat-stamped lettering plus bar-end trucks with dual magnetic couplers.
Photo of the other side. Minimal flaws! The caboose is completely intact and very, very clean with crisp lettering and nice vibrant paint! It has the original end railings -- and of course the caboose does light! Two views of the roof. A great-looking caboose! Our Archives Page has more information on 6417-50 Lehigh Valley Cabooses. |
| 6419 | D. L. & W. Work Caboose |
See Notes | Yes | $ 25 | A work caboose from 1953-54 with gray-painted tool boxes and a gray-painted cab with black lettering and tall smokestack. Has a painted-gray die-cast frame with black heat-stamped, serif lettering plus bar-end trucks with dual magnetic couplers.
Photo of the other side. This deluxe work caboose also has steps, handrails, brakewheels and ladder. Two "aerial" views. A few muted/distorted letters on the frame (VG) and that's about it for flaws; the cab and tool boxes are ORIGINAL and all intact plus they are very clean with nice lettering (E+). An inexpensive caboose that is ready for your work train on a layout. |
| 6420 | D. L. & W. Searchlight Work Caboose |
E++ | Yes | $125 | 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 black heat-stamped, serif lettering.
Photo of the other side. Original cab is dark gray with black, heat-stamped, serif lettering; original tool boxes are dark gray. Two "aerial" views. A little box rub on the edge of the catwalk and that is about it for flaws! The caboose is completely intact and very, very clean with crisp lettering and nice paint -- plus of course, it does light! The 6420 caboose is very difficult to locate with all original parts and in collector-quality condition. This sharp "Searchlight Wrecking Car" from 1949-50 is a useful piece that would be a nice addition to any work train on a layout to provide illumination to clear night-time wrecks. |
| 6447 | Pennsylvania N5c Caboose |
E++ | Yes | $650 | One of the most sought-after postwar cabooses: the non-illuminated, Tuscan, porthole caboose from 1963 only! Has early AAR trucks with one operating coupler.
Photo of the other side. Minor surface rust on the frame and that's it for flaws! It is very, very clean with crisp lettering and vibrant paint! The end railings are original and all intact -- plus there are no screw cracks! Photo of the roof. The 6447 was a component of only one catalogued set -- and it was a "Super O" outfit besides! The 6447 was never included in any promotional sets or uncatalogued outfits! It was the "Plain Jane" porthole caboose of the postwar era and now it is a prize! This one is a very nice, high-quality piece! |
| Two different versions of the 6457 SP-type Caboose: | |||||
| 6457 | Lionel Caboose |
E+++/OB | Yes | $ 75 | Illuminated, brown-painted SP-type caboose from 1950-51: has white heat-stamped 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, die-cast smokestack, battery boxes, ladders, two brakewheels and dual couplers. Photo of the roof. Just gorgeous! The caboose is very, very clean with crisp lettering and nice vibrant paint -- and of course, it does light! Another view of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 8+ original box (small tears; minor stains). A SOLID box: complete, clean, square and sturdy! It is also the correct box for this version of the 6457. Another view of the box. The 6457 caboose was sold from 1949-1952 but the black smokestack, staple-end trucks and "Middle Classic" box all help to identify this caboose as a 1950-51 item. A sharp caboose in one of the nicest 6457 boxes we have ever had! This premium caboose has long been a favorite with both collectors and operators. |
| 6457 | Lionel Caboose |
E+/OB | Yes | $ 55 | Illuminated, brown-painted SP-type caboose from 1952: has white heat-stamped 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, die-cast smokestack, battery boxes, ladders, two brakewheels and dual couplers. Photo of the roof. Minimal flaws! The caboose is all intact and very clean with crisp lettering plus nice vibrant paint -- and of course, it does light! Another view of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 7 original box (missing one interior coupler flap; tears; creases; tape inside; missing a small section of the top layer of the box; writing in pencil). Another view of the box. Even with the flaws, this box is presentable as it is clean, square and sturdy. It is also the correct ("OPS" Classic) box for this caboose! Close-up of the preprinted identification of the OPS box. The 6457 caboose was sold from 1949-1952 but the black die-cast smokestack, bar-end trucks and "OPS" Classic" box all help to identify this caboose as a 1952 item. A sharp-looking, premium caboose! The 6457 caboose has long been a favorite with both collectors and operators. If you are looking to complete an "O" gauge set from 1952, this is the right caboose! |
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| 6557 | Smoke Caboose | E++/OB | Yes | $325 | The illuminated, Tuscan-painted "LIONEL" SP-type caboose from 1958-59: has white, heat-stamped lettering (with number on left) and the original smoke deflector plus bar-end trucks with single operating tab coupler.
Photo of the other side. Has the usual box rub on the high spots of the cupola and that's about it for flaws! The caboose is sharp: completely intact and very, very clean with nice, crisp lettering -- plus it lights and smokes properly. Two "aerial" views. Comes with the original instruction sheet #6557-18, dated 8/58. Photo of the instruction sheet. Photo of the box. Grade 6+ original box (missing the interior coupler flap; tears; creases; stains; glue residue; tape). Some flaws but the box has both end flaps and it is clean, square and sturdy. Another view of the box. A gorgeous caboose in a very presentable box -- the 6557 is always a great layout piece! |
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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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