This page contains our current inventory of Postwar Passenger Cars including RDC Budd Commuter Cars (both motorized and "dummy" units) and Trolleys.
* * * 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 Passenger Cars | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalog # | Item | Grade | Photo | Price | Details |
| 404 | ============== Baltimore & Ohio RDC-4 Budd Powered Mail-Baggage Car ============== |
====== E++ Un-run OB ====== |
Yes | $425 | B & O motorized Rail Diesel Car (RDC) from 1957-58 that was NEVER USED! This powered "RAILWAY POST OFFICE" Budd car has a silver body with blue heat-stamped lettering.
Photo of the other side. Has Magnetraction, an operating horn and operating couplers plus passenger silhouettes in the windows and three interior lights that provide nice, even illumination. A close-up of one side showing the clean silver & crisp lettering. Has a small scratch by one of the decorative horns and a light scuff on the other end of the roof and that's about it for flaws! Photo of one end. The unit is very, very clean with bright silver and with nice, crisp lettering! The chassis is equally as clean with a nice, rust-free frame and there is no battery damage! Photo of the other end. We "bench tested" its functions and everything works -- including the horn! Two views of the roof. Has the correct original instruction sheet #404-8, dated 5/57 (creases, discolored). Photo of the instruction sheet. Includes the sheet of original Lionel wrapping paper that was provided by the company to help protect the piece inside its box. Photo of the Lionel wrapping paper. Photo of the open end of the box. Grade 8 original box (tears; creases; minor stains; scrapes; writing). Photo of the sealed end of the box. This corrugated box was made by the St. Joe Paper Co. -- and shows the year (indicated by "7") on one side. Close-up of the manufacturer's data & date. Has the elaborate box insert and this box is SOLID: clean, complete, square and sturdy -- plus there is no un-original tape anywhere! Photo of the box insert. The 404 Mail-baggage Car is much harder to find than the 400 RDC Passenger Car and we have had very, very few 404 Budd Cars in collector-quality condition over the years. Finding an unused locomotive of any kind is very, very unusual and this is the first unrun 404 we have ever had! |
| 1866 | Western & Atlantic Baggage Car |
====== E+ Un-run OB ====== |
Yes | $ 95 SOLD |
A Civil War style, simulated wood-sided W. & A.R.R. U.S. Mail Car from 1959-62 that was NEVER USED! The car has a yellow body with brown roof & brown, heat-stamped lettering, American eagle & flag decals, opaque window panes, simulated truss rods made of wire plus arch-bar trucks with fixed couplers.
Photo of the other side. Missing one brakewheel plus the roof has a few minor paint chips and that's it for flaws! The car is very, very clean with nice vibrant paint, crisp lettering and beautiful decals! Photo of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 7 original box (tears; creases; stains; scuffs; tape inside; glue residue; panel partially separated). Another view of the box. A few flaws but the box is clean, complete, square and sturdy! It is also not an easy box to find. Photo of the front panel. A good-looking car that is not often available as a separate-sale item. This is the first unrun 1866 Baggage Car we have ever had and the only one that we have had with a box! |
| 2436 | Mooseheart Observation Car |
E+/OB | Yes | $110 | The silver-painted, red-lettered Mooseheart "Lounge" car -- a lighted Observation Car from 1957-58: This "tail" car has silhouetted window strips plus fancy passenger trucks and a single operating coupler.
Photo of the other side. A few light scratches on the roof plus the normal imperfections associated with silver paint (discoloration and evidence of handling). Photo of the observation deck. The car is very, very clean with crisp lettering and nice even silver -- plus it does light. The tail section is completely intact -- never rear-ended or involved in a crash. The window strips, roof and finials are all original. Two views of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 8 original box (tears; small piece of the top layer on one end flap missing -- probably from removing a price sticker; creases; tiny bit of writing on each end flap). The box is solid: clean, complete, square and sturdy -- plus there is no tape anywhere! Another view of the box. Nice car; nice box! The Mooseheart is much harder to find than the 2436 Summit Observation Car. Two catalogued sets from 1957 included either the Summit or the Mooseheart. However, the Mooseheart is the correct observation car for two catalogued sets from 1958 -- outfit #1600 (which was headed up by the 216 Burlington Alco) and outfit #1608W (which was headed up by the 209 New Haven Alco AA units) plus one promotional set -- outfit #X-572NA from 1960. In addition, the Mooseheart was offered as a separate sale item in 1959. Our Archives Page has information on the passenger car series that included this car. |
| 2530 | REA Baggage Car |
E++ | Yes | $160 | A Railway Express Agency extruded-aluminum, small-door Baggage Car from 1954-55:
Photo of the other side. Impressive and realistic-looking, fluted streamlined car measuring 16 1/2 inches coupler to coupler. Close-up of the lettering plates on one side. Minimal flaws. The car is all-original and very, very clean with shiny silver and nice lettering. Two views of the roof. The 2530 came in five catalogued sets but was also sold separately as an "add-on" car to make an aluminum passenger set complete; this prototypical piece is a good-looking car! |
| 2559 | =============== Baltimore and Ohio Budd "Dummy" Passenger Car =============== |
E++/OB | Yes | $325 | A sharp B & O RDC Budd Commuter non-powered passenger unit from 1957-58:
Photo of the other side. Has ornamental horns, silhouetted window strips and operating couplers. A close-up of the center of one side showing the clean silver & crisp lettering. Has three interior lights which provide nice, even illumination. Photo of one end. Scuffs on the roof of both vestibules and that's about it for flaws! Photo of the other end. The car is very, very clean with very nice silver and crisp lettering -- and of course, the lights work! Two "aerial" views. Photo of the box. Grade 5 original box (missing one interior coupler flap; tears; creases; punctures; scrapes; stains; glue residue; tape; amateur repairs; discolored). Another view of the box. Various imperfections but the box has both end flaps and it is square and sturdy. Photo of the large, long side that has the small scrapes. Great-looking, prototypical car with minimal run time! |
| Nice Canadian Pacific Passenger Cars from 1957 only: | |||||
| Each of these extruded-aluminum cars have a ribbed roof and ribbed sides plus decorative brown striping with gold lettering. Each car has interior lighting, silhouette inserts and fancy, passenger-service trucks with magnetic couplers. | |||||
| 2551 | Banff Park Observation Car |
E+ | Yes | | | \ / |
The CP "Lounge" car:
Photo of the other side. Some discoloration of the silver in spots plus some minor scratches and small burrs and that's about it for flaws! Close-up of the lettering on one side. Has crisp lettering and nice shiny silver overall plus a nice rust-free chassis. Photo of the observation deck. The tail section (observation deck) is all original and completely intact! Two "aerial" views. A very nice car with ORIGINAL striping! |
| 2552 | Skyline 500 Vista Dome |
E++ | Yes | | | \ / |
The CP "Viewing" car:
Photo of the other side. Has small stains in places plus some box rub and that's about it for flaws! Close-up of the lettering on one side. Has crisp lettering, sharp striping and nice shiny silver overall plus a nice rust-free chassis. Two "aerial" views. A very nice car with ORIGINAL striping! |
| 2553 | Blair Manor Pullman |
E+ | Yes | | | \ / |
A CP extruded-aluminum "Coach" (the first of two add-ons available from Lionel):
Photo of the other side. Minor amount of dirt in spots and that's about it for flaws! Close-up of the lettering on one side. Clean silver with sharp striping & crisp lettering plus a nice rust-free chassis. Two "aerial" views. A very nice car with ORIGINAL striping -- one that is very, very hard to find! |
| ===> | ===> | ===> | Yes | $695 | Price for the three all-original Canadian Pacific Passenger cars described above. |
| 2554 | Craig Manor Pullman |
Ex. | Yes | $175 | A CP extruded-aluminum "Coach" (the second of two add-ons available from Lionel):
Photo of the other side. Has reproduction striping (lettering is a little lighter and not quite centered vertically in the channel on one side) plus a minor amount of dirt in spots and that's about it for flaws! Close-up of the lettering on one side. Clean silver overall with crisp lettering plus a nice rust-free chassis. Two "aerial" views. A very presentable looking car -- one that is very, very hard to find! |
| The aluminum passenger car outfits were among the nicest passenger sets produced by Lionel in the postwar era. Each car measures 16 1/2 inches long; they are very sturdy and they look realistic. The cars will look great on a shelf but will also provide enjoyment on your layout as all lights and couplers work! | |||||
| Price for all four Canadian Pacific Cars: $750 plus shipping -- a discount of $120! | |||||
| Rare illuminated SANTA FE Passenger Cars from 1959-61: two nice extruded aluminum cars with decorative red-striping and silhouette inserts: | |||||
| 2562 | REGAL PASS Vista Dome |
E+ | Yes | | | \ / |
The "Viewing" car: a lighted Vista Dome with original silhouetted window strips:
Photo of the other side. Has a few scratches and small burrs plus the normal original glue residue showing around the striping in a few spots. Close-up of the lettering and striping on one side. Very, very nice overall with a clean chassis and it is all original! Two "aerial" views. A reproduction box is provided to help protect the car in shipping and in storage. Photo of the reproduction box. Note that the car is nicer looking than what the photos show. |
| 2563 | INDIAN FALLS Pullman |
E+ | Yes | | | \ / |
The "Coach" -- a lighted Pullman with original silhouetted window strips:
Photo of the other side. Has a few scratches and small burrs plus the normal original glue residue showing around the striping in a few spots. Close-up of the lettering and striping on one side. Very, very nice overall with a clean chassis and it is all original! Two "aerial" views. A reproduction box is provided to help protect the car in shipping and in storage. Photo of the reproduction box. Note that the car is nicer looking than what the photos show. |
| ===> | ===> | ===> | ===> | $475 | Price for both Santa Fe Passenger Cars described above. |
| (Note: The aluminum passenger car outfits were among the nicest passenger sets produced by Lionel in the postwar era. This is the first time we have ever had loose cars available for separate sale. Adding additional cars to an existing set makes that set even more impressive. Each car measures 16 1/2 inches long; they are very sturdy and they look realistic. All lights and couplers work and they are ready for a display shelf or a layout!) | |||||
| Passenger Sets: | |||||
| Illuminated Santa Fe Passenger Cars from 1961: three silver-painted cars with blue lettering and wide blue stripes. | |||||
| 2412 | Santa Fe Vista Dome |
Ex./OB | Yes | | | \ / |
The "Viewing" car: a lighted Vista Dome with original silhouetted window strips, original roof and original finials:
Photo of the other side. Has some long scratches on both sides. The car is very clean overall with crisp lettering & gorgeous striping plus nice bright silver! An "aerial" view. Photo of the box. Grade 6+ original "Perforated Panel" box (tears; creases; scrapes; tape inside; glue residue; "period" price stamping). Another view of the box. Even with the flaws, this box is decent as it is: clean, complete, square and sturdy! Photo of the front of the box. A good-looking car! |
| 2414 | Santa Fe Pullman |
E-/OB | Yes | | | \ / |
The very-elusive "Coach" -- a lighted Pullman with original silhouetted window strips, original roof and original finials:
Photo of the other side. Has some long scratches on the right side plus a few scuffs on the roof. The car is very clean overall with crisp lettering & gorgeous striping plus nice bright silver! An "aerial" view. Photo of the box. Grade 6 original "Perforated Panel" box (missing one interior coupler flap; tears; creases; lots of tape inside; glue residue; panel partially separated; missing the "PUSH" tab). Another view of the box. Even with the flaws, this box is decent as it is: clean, square and sturdy! Photo of the front of the box. A good-looking car! The 2414 is the hardest car of this series to find and the prize in this set! |
| 2416 | Santa Fe Observation Car |
Ex./OB | Yes | | | \ / |
The "Lounge" car -- a lighted Observation Car with original silhouetted window strips, original roof and original finials:
Photo of the other side. Has a couple of small scratches on the left side plus some long scratches on the right side. The car is very clean overall with crisp lettering & gorgeous striping plus nice bright silver! Photo of the observation area. The tail section is completely intact -- never rear-ended or involved in a crash. An "aerial" view. Photo of the box. Grade 7 original "Picture" box (tears; creases; tape inside). Another view of the box. A solid box: clean, complete, square and sturdy! Photo of the front of the box. A good-looking car! |
| ===> | ===> | ===> | Yes | $295 | Price for the three-car Passenger Set described above. |
| This is a very presentable 62-year-old set. The mixed box styles indicate that these cars were sold in 1961 as the 2412-14-16 cars were carry-over items. The cars will look great on a shelf or on a layout -- the set is ready to enjoy as the window inserts are nice and all lights and couplers work! | |||||
| Price without the boxes: $250 plus shipping. | |||||
| A GORGEOUS tinplate, teal blue, non-illuminated Passenger Car Set from 1947 (white lettering, silver roofs and silver trim): | |||||
| 2430 | Pullman | E+++/OB | Yes | | | \ / |
The first Coach:
Photo of the other side. Has a couple of small scratches on the roof and that's it for flaws! Two views of the roof. The car is very, very clean with nice vibrant paint and spectacular lettering! Photo of the box. Grade 7+ original box (tears; creases; scuffs; glue residue; no cardboard coupler spacers). Another view of the box. The box has both end flaps and all four inner flaps plus it is square & sturdy plus there is no tape anywhere! A third view of the box. |
| 2430 | Pullman | E+++/OB | Yes | | | \ / |
The second Coach:
Photo of the other side. Has a scuff on each edge of the middle window on one side and that's it for flaws! Two views of the roof. The car is very, very clean with nice vibrant paint and spectacular lettering! Photo of the box. Grade 7+ original box (tears; creases; minor dirt & scuffs; glue residue; no cardboard coupler spacers). Another view of the box. The box has both end flaps and all four inner flaps plus it is square & sturdy plus there is no tape anywhere! A third view of the box. |
| 2431 | Observation Car | E+++/OB | Yes | | | \ / |
The Lounge car (the end car with a viewing platform):
Photo of the other side. Has some box rub on the roof and that's it for flaws! Photo of the observation deck. The observation deck is stunning -- rust free with original (and intact) marker lights. Two views of the roof. The car is very, very clean with nice vibrant paint and spectacular lettering! Photo of the box. Grade 7 original box (tears; creases; scrapes; some dirt & discoloration; glue residue; no cardboard coupler spacers). Another view of the box. The box has both end flaps and all four inner flaps plus it is square & sturdy plus there is no tape anywhere! A third view of the box. |
| ===> | ===> | ===> | Set Photo | $595 | Price for the three-car Passenger Set described above. |
| This is a HIGH QUALITY, one-year only set in the correct 1947 "Toy Logo" boxes! The cars
have white, heat-stamped lettering (not silver, rubber-stamped lettering as used on the cars with the same numbers
in a 1946 set). In addition, the staple-end trucks on this set are the later, closed-base type -- not the open
"FLYING SHOE" variety that was used on the 1946 set. All three cars have working coil couplers.
Extremely hard to find in collector-quality condition but this set is incredibly nice and the boxes are very presentable! The blue cars are far less common than the brown sets or the green sets and I doubt that we will ever find nicer teal-blue cars! | |||||
| Here are the cars from one of Lionel's most well-known and sought-after sets -- known by collectors as "The Anniversary Set." The two Pullmans and the Observation Car are decorated in a striking yellow and red paint scheme. | |||||
| Illuminated, yellow Passenger Cars from 1950 only (red lettering and red stripes plus gray roofs): | |||||
| 2481 | Plainfield Pullman |
E++/OB | Yes | | | \ / |
The first Coach: a lighted Pullman with original silhouetted window strips, original roof and original finials:
Photo of the other side. Small chip on one of the roof uprights and scratches around the nearby finial; the rest of the flaws are not even worth mentioning! This car is gorgeous -- very, very clean with crisp lettering, nice striping and very vibrant paint! Photo of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 6 original box (missing one interior coupler flap; tears; moisture stains; tape). This box is fairly clean, square and sturdy. Another view of the box. Sharp car! |
| 2482 | Westfield Pullman |
E++/OB | Yes | | | \ / |
The second Coach: a lighted Pullman with original silhouetted window strips, original roof and original finials:
Photo of the other side. A few light moisture spots on the roof; the rest of the flaws are not even worth mentioning! This car is gorgeous -- very, very clean with crisp lettering, nice striping and very vibrant paint! Photo of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 7 original box (tears; creases; tape inside; moisture spots; small "dent"). Even with the flaws, this box is one of the nicest 2482 boxes we have ever had; it is complete, square and sturdy! Another view of the box. Sharp car! |
| 2483 | Livingston Observation Car |
E++/OB | Yes | | | \ / |
The "Lounge" car -- a lighted Observation Car with original silhouetted window strips, original roof and original finials:
Photo of the other side. The roof has a small paint chip and a few very light moisture spots; minimal flaws on the sides! This car is gorgeous -- very, very clean with crisp lettering, nice striping and very vibrant paint! Photo of the observation area. The tail section is completely intact -- never rear-ended or involved in a crash. An "aerial" view. Photo of the box. Grade 6 original box (tears; tape; creases; moisture stains; small "dent"). Despite the flaws, this box is still very presentable as it is complete and "square." Another view of the box. Sharp car! |
| ===> | ===> | ===> | Set Photo | $1,200 | Price for the three-piece Passenger Set described above. |
| ~~ This 73-year-old set was certainly taken care of by its former owner! It is a very, very colorful, hard-to-find and clean set! The cars are extremely difficult to find in nice condition -- and the boxes are very, very RARE! | |||||
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A wagonmaker by the name of Webster Wagner is credited with developing successful early Passenger Cars in the 1850's. However, a native New Yorker -- George Pullman - designed and built far superior sleeping cars and dining cars and made travel by rail in America comfortable. From 1890 until 1941, when the impact of World War II was felt, Americans enjoyed luxury in rail travel equal to the finest hotels in the world.
Lionel manufactured six distinct styles of Passenger Cars in the Postwar era, including one that was a carryover design from the Prewar era -- the somewhat primitive 2000 series sheet-metal cars, which came in three different colors. The others were the elegant "Madison" cars, eight different color schemes of the "027" 2400-series molded plastic cars, the 1800 General-type cars, the sturdy 2500 extruded aluminum series and the more modern Budd Rail Diesel Cars (RDC). The Budd Cars came powered (and with a horn) and non-powered. Most of the postwar passenger cars were illuminated and one (the 1875W General-type simulated-wood coach) even had a whistle.
Savor the golden era of rail travel and add Passenger Car service to your layout.
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