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Space & Military Cars
| This Web Page Last Updated: May 16, 2023 |
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This page contains our current inventory of cars that were part of the postwar Lionel "Space & Military" series. Included here are those specialized rolling stock items (both operating & non-operating AND both real & fictitious) that were created to stimulate the imaginations of children regarding space exploration and the needs of the armed forces of the United States. Note that military motive power is located on our Diesels, Electrics & Small Motorized Units web page, military-type cabooses are located on our Cabooses web page and space & military accessories are located on our Accessories web page.
* * * Click on "Yes" in the Photo column to see a picture.
The 1950's and 1960's were marked by the "race to
space" and the creation of "world superpowers" -- specifically the United States and the
Soviet Union.
Lionel created an extensive line of interesting
pieces to keep pace with current events of that era: the world's desire for exploring outer
space -- the "last frontier" -- and the need for strong national defense systems in light of
the Cold War.
Any layout will be enhanced with
either a space exploration theme or one involving the creation of an action-packed and patriotic
operation involving Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps equipment.
* * * Click on "Grade" in the 3rd column heading for an explanation of grading.
Postwar Lionel Space & Military Cars Catalog # Item Grade Photo Price Description & More Information 221
Santa Fe
Alco ===>
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Have some olive-drab military cars?
Click here to go to our Diesels Page
to read about the olive drab 221 Santa Fe Alco diesel -- a RARE locomotive from 1964 only.
3535 AEC
Security Car E+++/OB
Yes
$235
Interesting piece from 1960 designed to serve as an end car (caboose) on a military train: essentially a black flatcar with a red cab (similar style to the 520 boxcab electric) plus a rotating searchlight and roof-mounted, twin anti-aircraft guns. Has white heat-stamped lettering on the cab and early AAR trucks with operating couplers.
Photo of the other side showing the car in its "security mode" ready for action.
A very, very clean car with nice white lettering. The searchlight, guns and yoke are all original AND all tabs are intact on the cab! A gorgeous car -- it lights and the searchlight revolves properly.
An "aerial" view.
Photo of the box.
Grade 7+ original box (creases; minor scuffs; tape inside). This box is SOLID: complete, clean, square and sturdy!
Another view of the box.
This car is from the "Space and Military Series" and was produced in 1960 and 1961 but the "Perforated Panel" box helps to date this one as a 1960 piece.
Photo of the front of the box.
Comes with the original instruction sheet #3535-11 (creases; wrinkled; some discoloration).
Photo of the instruction sheet.
The 3535 is a rather hard item to find intact but this one is one of the nicest 3535 Security Cars we have ever seen -- and it's in a very strong box! It is a perfect piece for a layout with a military theme!
Our Archives Page: more information on 3535 AEC Security Cars.
3665 Minuteman
Boxcar E++/OB
Yes
$ 185
The operating missile launching Strategic Air Command boxcar from 1961-64: unpainted white body with red and blue, heat-stamped lettering and early AAR trucks with operating couplers.
Photo of the car.
ORIGINAL, dark-blue, 2-part roof (all tabs intact) and the ORIGINAL, red, white and blue missile (rocket).
Photo of the other side with the roof open and the car in launch mode.
A great-looking car with minimal flaws: very, very clean with nice lettering and the mechanism does work!
Photo of the roof.
Has the original instruction sheet (#3665-23, dated 6/61).
Photo of the rocket and the instruction sheet.
Photo of the box.
Grade 7+ original box (creases; tears; tape; price sticker residue). A couple of imperfections but this box is still solid as it is clean, complete, square and sturdy!
Another view of the box.
A sharp car that offers some "play value" -- this car can be operated manually or automatically using a remote control track section.
Still not sure if you are going to like this car? A popular magazine rated the 3665 as one of the TOP 10 Postwar Lionel models from the Space & Military Line -- calling it ". . . a must for any space and military collection!" See page 47 of the March, 2014 issue of the magazine "Classic Toy Trains" for their complete review.
6017
(-200) U. S. Navy
Caboose ===>
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Click here to go to our Caboose Page to read about a nice Navy caboose from 1960 only.
(6401-25) Flatcar
with
Jeep & Cannon Load:
E++
Car:
E++ Yes
$275
SOLD Unmarked General-style gray flatcar with the original forest-green Jeep (Payton part #958-150) & original forest-green Cannon (Payton part #958-175). The flat has arch-bar trucks with fixed couplers.
Photo of the other side.
The flat has some discoloration on the decking and that's it for flaws! It is very, very clean with nice, shiny rust-free rivets. Has two repro elastic tie-down bands.
An "aerial" view of the Jeep, Cannon and the car's decking.
The load is equally as nice: both pieces are very, very clean and completely intact!
Close-up of the Jeep & Cannon.
This car was a component of Outfit #19326 -- a Sears, Roebuck & Company set from 1965.
Photo of page 666 from J. Schmid's "Authoritative Guide to LIONEL's PROMOTIONAL OUTFITS 1960-1969"
The flatcar is fairly common but the load rarely shows up and consequently few collectors have this item in their collection! This is the first time we have ever had the 6401-25 Flat with Jeep and Cannon for sale! If you have a layout or a display with a military theme, this rare piece will fit in nicely!
6463 Rocket Fuel
Tank Car E+
Yes
$110
The only tank car from the "Space and Military Series:" a 2-dome tank car painted snow white with red rubber-stamped lettering & graphics; the frame is painted black.
Photo of the other side.
It is the version from 1963 with early AAR trucks plus one operating coupler and one fixed coupler.
An "aerial" view.
Minor discoloration in the paint and that's about it for flaws! It is a very clean car with very, very strong lettering. The catwalks are intact with nothing broken and it has a nice rust-free frame.
Another "aerial" view.
Nice car! Note that most of the 6463 tank cars came unboxed in sets and few were sold separately.
Our Archives Page: more information on 6463 Rocket Fuel Tank Cars.
6651
U.S.M.C.
Shell
Launching Car ======
E++
Un-run
====== Yes
$265
The shell launching Cannon Car -- an unusual item found only in uncatalogued sets (mostly purely military) in 1964 & 1965: this impressive-looking car was nicknamed "Big Bertha" by collectors. The frame is painted olive drab (on a red mold) and has white, heat-stamped lettering plus middle AAR trucks with operating couplers. The launcher assembly is molded in olive drab; comes with four reproduction shells.
Photo of the other side showing Big Bertha in action with a shell on the way to its target.
Usual tarnishing on the metal strip below the cannon plus some box rub in spots and that's about it for flaws! It is very, very clean with nice vibrant paint, strong lettering, nice shiny truck rivets and no rust on the metal parts -- plus it was NEVER USED!
Photo of the four shells and an "aerial" view of the car.
The menacing-looking 6651 only came in eight "promotional" outfits. It is a sharp-looking car and the firing mechanism works great!
6804
Empty Flatcar for:
the
U.S.M.C.
Antiaircraft
Truck
&
U.S.M.C.
Sound Truck E+
Yes
$ 35
Empty red flatcar (mold #6424-11) with white, heat-stamped lettering from 1958-59 for two Marine Corps vehicles. No load.
Photo of the other side.
A couple of light surface scratches on the decking and that's about it for flaws! The car is nice: very, very clean with beautiful lettering & rust-free truck rivets. Has the original vehicle retainer which is completely intact.
An "aerial" view.
Note: the even-numbered flats (6804, 6806, 6808) from the "Space & Military" Series are significantly harder to find as compared to the odd-numbered ones (6803, 6807, 6809).
6809
Flatcar
with a
Marine Corps
Anti-aircraft
Truck
& a
U.S. NAVY
Medical Truck Load:
E+++
Car:
E+++
OB Yes
$395
Red flatcar (mold #6511-2) with white heat-stamped lettering and early AAR trucks with operating couplers plus its ORIGINAL load: a Marine Corps Anti-aircraft "Pyro" Truck and a U.S. NAVY "Pyro" Medical Truck. Has the original axle retainer.
Photo of the other side.
The flat is very, very clean with nice, crisp lettering and nice shiny, rust-free truck rivets.
An "aerial" view showing the car's decking and the tops of the vehicles.
Both of the vehicles are all original and gorgeous: completely intact and very, very clean with nice lettering!
Photo of the box.
Grade 7+ original box (tears; tape inside; glue residue; a little wavy; mildly distorted).
Another view of the box.
This box is solid: clean, complete and sturdy!
A third view of the box.
Sharp piece: one of the nicest 6809 cars we have ever had in one of the nicest 6809 boxes we have ever had!
(6824
-50) First Aid
Medical Car ===>
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Need something to bring up the rear of your military train?
Click here to go to our Caboose Page
to read about a good-looking and very uncommon caboose -- an unused, uncatalogued Sears Rescue Caboose with a BLACK frame.
Hints for buying
Space & Military Cars
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