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 |
| 2257 | S P Caboose |
E++/OB | Yes | $ 85 | The red-painted Southern Pacific caboose from 1947 only:
Photo of the other side. Has white, heat-stamped lettering and two brakewheels mounted on the outside of the railings plus staple-end trucks with a single coil coupler. Photo of the roof. Has a few small paint chips and that's it for flaws! It is completely intact and very, very clean with beautiful lettering and nice vibrant paint! It is the nicest 2257 Caboose we have ever had! Photo of the box. Grade 6+ original box (tears; creases; scuffs; tape inside; no insert). Another view of the box. Some imperfections but the box is very clean, square and sturdy! Check your collection; the one-year-only 2257 Caboose is not that easy to find as it occasionally only showed up in but one set -- Outfit #1435WS! This is only the third boxed 2257 Caboose we have ever had available for sale as the box is particularly difficult to locate! |
| 2472 | Pennsylvania N5 Caboose |
See Notes OB |
Yes | $ 65 | Old-fashioned, red, tinplate caboose from 1947: has white, heat-stamped lettering plus staple-end trucks with single coil coupler. Version with "EASTERN DIV." on the sides.
Photo of the other side. Minor paint loss on the front end of the frame; significant paint loss on the back end (common on this caboose) but that's about it for flaws on the entire caboose! Photo of both ends. The body is very, very clean with crisp white lettering and nice vibrant paint (E+++)! Photo of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 7 original box (tears; creases; scuffs; tape inside; "aged" look). Another view of the box. Has the elaborate insert (liner) and this box is solid: clean, complete, square and sturdy! Photo of the insert. A sharp caboose in a brick-like box! |
| 6017 | Lionel Lines Caboose |
E++/OB | Yes | $ 40 | A sharp SP-type caboose from 1957-58: has a Tuscan-brown painted body with white lettering with a chemically-blackened tab frame plus early AAR trucks with one operating coupler.
Photo of the other side. Minimal flaws! The Caboose is very, very clean with nice vibrant paint and superb lettering! Photo of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 9 original box (minor scrape; tears; glue residues). Another view of the box. One of the nicest 6017 boxes we have ever seen! It is clean, complete, square and sturdy plus there is no tape anywhere! Two more views of the box. A fairly common item -- but not in this condition and not with a box this nice! The 6017 caboose came in a few sets in the late 50s and early 60s and is not easy to find in collector-quality condition! |
| 6017 (-50) |
U. S. M. C. Caboose |
E++/OB | Yes | $135 | A dark-blue, painted "UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS" caboose from 1958 only: Has white, heat-stamped lettering with the USMC logo plus early AAR trucks with one operating coupler.
Photo of the other side. Has some paint loss on the metal end railings by the frame tabs and that's it for flaws! Photo of both ends. The caboose is sharp: completely intact and very, very clean with nice vibrant paint, spectacular lettering and a rust-free frame! Photo of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 7+ original box (tears; creases; tape inside; glue residue). A few imperfections but the box is clean, complete, square and sturdy! It is also the correct "6017-60" for the U.S.M.C. Caboose! Only Lionel knows why they did that. Another view of the box. Sharp caboose in a fairly strong box! |
| 6059 | M & St L Caboose | ====== E+++ Un-run ====== |
Yes | $ 30 | An unpainted-red Minneapolis & St. Louis (SP-type) caboose from 1961 that was NEVER USED! Has white, heat-stamped lettering plus a chemically-blackened, tab frame with early AAR trucks and one operating coupler.
Photo of the other side. Minimal flaws! This caboose is sharp: completely intact and very, very clean with crisp lettering! Photo of the roof. Nicest unpainted 6059 Caboose we have ever had! |
| 6119 | D. L. & W. Work Caboose |
E+++ | Yes | $ 60 | A beautiful Work caboose with red cab and red tool bin from 1955: has a black-painted frame with serif lettering plus bar-end, metal trucks with a single tab coupler.
Photo of the other side. Minor paint loss on the frame and that's it for flaws! It is sharp: all intact and very, very clean with beautiful lettering and a nice, rust-free frame! An "aerial" view. The 6119 caboose was sold in 1955 and 1956 but the black coupler rivet helps to identify this caboose as a 1955 item. Check your collection. It is not an easy caboose to find! We have had very few for sale over the years! |
| 6119 (-50) | D. L. & W. Work Caboose |
E++/OB | Yes | $ 95 | A nice work caboose from 1956 only: all-original with brown cab, brown tool bin and brown-painted sheet-metal frame with white, serif lettering. Has bar-end trucks with single tab coupler. Catalogued by Lionel as "6119-50" but only "6119" appears on the sides.
Photo of the other side. A little paint loss in the crease of the metal frame steps and that's it for flaws! The caboose is completely intact and very, very clean with nice lettering on both the cab and the frame. It is one of the nicest 6119-50 work cabooses we have ever had! An "aerial" view. Photo of the box. Grade 6 original box (tears; creases; stains; tape inside; mildly distorted/wavy). Another view of the box. Not pretty but the box is sturdy and has both end flaps and all four inner flaps plus it has a well-made reproduction insert! It is also the correct "-50" box for the brown work caboose. Photo of the insert. We have had very few 6119-50 work cabooses over the years. This is a good-looking, 1-year-only caboose in a very useful box. |
| 6130 | Santa Fe Work Caboose |
E+++ | Yes | $ 65 | 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. Just some minor box rub in spots and that's it for flaws! The cab & tool tray are very, very clean with sharp graphics, crisp lettering and nice vibrant paint! An "aerial" view. The frame is equally as nice: very, very clean with crisp lettering! Another "aerial" view. The 6130 ATSF is one of the few work cabooses offered by Lionel in the postwar era with a roadname other than D L & W. This one is sharp and will represent an upgrade for most collectors! |
| 6257 (-50) | Lionel Caboose |
E+++/OB | Yes | $ 35 | A "little old red caboose" -- a sharp, SP-type caboose from early 1956: (unpainted bright red with white, heat-stamped lettering). Version with "6257" on left plus roof "wedges" and a chemically-blackened frame without a brakewheel plus metal, bar-end trucks with single magnetic coupler. Catalogued by Lionel as "6257-50" but only "6257" appears on the sides.
Photo of the other side. A spectacular Caboose: completely intact and very, very clean with crisp lettering! It is also one of the harder "6257" Cabooses to find. Photo of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 7 original box (tears; creases; "aged" look; "period" writing). Another view of the box. A few flaws but the box is clean, complete, square and sturdy! Two more views of the box. If you need this one-year only caboose to complete outfit #1545 (701), outfit 1547S (702), outfit #1551W (704) or outfit #1561WS (710) -- or you just want a good-looking piece to end your freight train, this inexpensive caboose is the answer! |
| Three different versions of the 6417 Pennsylvania N5c Caboose: | |||||
| 6417 | Pennsylvania N5c Caboose |
E++/OB | Yes | $ 60 | An illuminated, Tuscan-painted, porthole caboose from 1954: has white heat-stamped lettering plus bar-end trucks with dual magnetic couplers.
Photo of the other side. Minor fading on a couple of the numbers on one side and that's it for flaws! This caboose is very, very clean with very strong lettering overall plus nice, vibrant paint and original end platforms. In addition, there are no cracks -- and of course, it does light! An "aerial" view. Photo of the box. Grade 6+ original box (creases; dented; mildly distorted; discolored; some stains; "aged" look). Another view of the box. Some imperfections but this box is fairly clean, complete and sturdy -- plus there is no tape anywhere! Two more views of the box. The 6417 caboose was made from 1954 to 1957 but the "Middle-Classic" box and the magnetic couplers (with engraved knuckle tops) date this piece as a 1954 item. A very nice caboose in a presentable box! |
| 6417 | Pennsylvania N5c Caboose |
E+++/OB | Yes | $ 75 SOLD |
An illuminated, Tuscan-painted, porthole caboose from 1955-56: has white heat-stamped lettering plus bar-end trucks with dual tab couplers.
Photo of the other side. A tiny amount of box rub on the simulated smokestack and that's it for flaws! The caboose is sharp: completely intact and very, very clean with beautiful lettering, nice vibrant paint, original end platforms -- and of course, it does light! An "aerial" view. Photo of the box. Grade 9+ original box (creases). Another view of the box. What a box! It is clean, complete, square and sturdy -- plus there is no tape anywhere! This brick-like box will represent an upgrade for most collectors. Two more views of the box. The 6417 caboose was made from 1954 to 1957 but the "Middle-Classic" box and the tab couplers date this piece as a 1955-56 item. A gorgeous caboose in the nicest 6417 box we have ever had! |
| 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. Minor box rub on the simulated vent pipe and that's it for flaws! The caboose is sharp: very, very clean and completely intact with beautiful lettering and nice vibrant paint plus it has the original intact end platforms -- and of course, it does light! Two views of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 7 original box (tears; creases; writing; tape inside). This box is solid: clean, complete, square & sturdy! 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. |
| = | |||||
| 6417-25 | Lionel Lines N5c Caboose |
E+ | Yes | $ 55 | A very nice, illuminated, Tuscan-painted, porthole caboose from 1954 only: has bar-end trucks with dual operating magnetic couplers. Catalogued by Lionel as "6417-25" although the caboose is actually numbered "64173" on the sides.
Photo of the other side. Minor box rub in the corners on one side and that's about it for flaws! It is completely intact and very, very clean with crisp lettering and nice, vibrant paint plus it has the original end railings -- and of course, it does light! An "aerial" view. A good-looking caboose! The one-year-only 6417-25 is much harder to find than the 6417 Pennsylvania caboose or the 6427 Lionel Lines caboose! |
| 6417-50 | LEHIGH VALLEY N5c Caboose |
See Notes | Yes | $110 | Illuminated, gray-painted, porthole caboose from just one set in 1954 only!
Photo of the other side. Has red heat-stamped lettering plus bar-end trucks with dual magnetic couplers. Photo of both ends. Some box rub in spots and one end has a crack (no loss of plastic) but that's it for flaws! Photo of the roof. The caboose is very clean with crisp lettering and nice vibrant paint! It has the original end railings that are completely intact! Another view of the roof. Nice-looking shelf piece as well as a great caboose for an operator as the couplers work and, of course, it does light! It is also the lowest priced Lehigh Valley Caboose we have ever had for sale! Our Archives Page has more information on 6417-50 Lehigh Valley Cabooses. |
| 6419 | D. L. & W. Work Caboose |
Ex. | Yes | $ 30 | A work caboose from 1954 with light-gray painted tool boxes and a light-gray painted cab with black heat-stamped lettering plus a tall smokestack. Has a painted-gray die-cast frame with black heat-stamped, serif lettering and bar-end trucks with dual magnetic couplers.
Photo of the other side. This deluxe work caboose also has steps, handrails, brakewheels and a ladder. An "aerial" view. The cab's roof has some paint chipping around the stack plus another small chip on the roof; one of the tool boxes has some minor discoloration. The cab is very clean with very nice lettering. The frame is also very clean with very nice lettering. Another "aerial" view. The 6419 D. L. & W. Work Caboose was sold from 1952 to 1954 but the couplers (with engraved knuckle tops) help to date this car as 1954 production. An inexpensive caboose that is ready for your work train on a layout. |
| 6419 (-100) |
N & W Work Caboose |
====== E+++ Un-run OB ====== |
Yes | $235 SOLD |
The scarce Norfolk and Western work caboose from 1957-58:
Photo of the other side. Has the original un-painted gray cab with black, heat-stamped lettering and the original unpainted-gray tool boxes. The gray-painted die-cast frame has black lettering and bar-end trucks with dual operating tab couplers. Two "aerial" views. Just stunning: completely intact and very, very clean with crisp lettering both on the cab and on the frame plus it was NEVER USED! Photo of the box. Grade 8 original (correct "-100") box (scrape; minor tears; mild depression; "aged" look). Another view of the box. Has the original insert! Photo of the box insert. This box is solid: fairly clean, complete, square and sturdy -- plus there is no tape anywhere! Two more views of the box. Sharp caboose in a very hard-to-find box! Catalogued by Lionel as "6419-100" but the cab is actually numbered "576419" -- it is one of the few work cabooses made by Lionel in the postwar era with a roadname other than D L & W. We have had not had a Norfolk & Western Work Cabooses in over seven years as they are very hard to find in collector-quality condition. This one is the nicest 6419-100 Caboose we have ever had and it will represent an upgrade for the majority of collectors! Need a steam engine to pull this caboose? We have a nice, boxed 746 Norfolk & Western "J" for sale. Click here to go to our Steam Engines Page to read about a beautiful 746 N & W "J" with a 746W short-stripe Tender. |
| 6420 | D. L. & W. Searchlight Work Caboose |
====== E+++ Un-run OB ====== |
Yes | $195 SOLD |
The deluxe wrecking caboose from 1949-50: has a searchlight, dark-gray die-cast frame, handrails, ladder, tall smokestack and staple-end trucks with dual magnetic couplers. Version with black heat-stamped, serif lettering on the frame.
Photo of the other side. Original cab is dark gray with black, heat-stamped, serif lettering; original tool boxes are also dark gray. An "aerial" view. Just stunning: completely intact and very, very clean with crisp lettering both on the cab and on the frame plus it was NEVER USED! Has the original inspection slip! Photo of the searchlight and the inspection slip. The car was never run but there are some marks on the wheel flanges indicating that the previous owner may have displayed the car on a piece of track. We "bench tested" the caboose and it does light! Photo of the box. Grade 7 original box (missing a small piece of the top layer of one corner, tears; creases; stains; writing in pencil; tape inside; glue residue; store price stamping). Another view of the box. Has the elaborate insert (liner)! Photo of the box insert. Various flaws but the box has both end flaps and all four inner flaps plus it is square and sturdy! Two more views of the box. A very, very nice caboose in a decent box! The 6420 caboose is very difficult to locate with all original parts and in collector-quality condition. This is the first unrun 6420 we have ever had! |
| 6427 (-1) | Lionel Lines N5c Caboose |
E+++/OB | Yes | $ 65 | An illuminated, Tuscan-painted, porthole caboose: has white heat-stamped lettering plus metal, bar-end trucks with a single tab coupler.
Photo of the other side. A gorgeous caboose: all original, completely intact and very, very clean with nice vibrant paint and crisp lettering -- and of course, it does light! Photo of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 7 original box (tears; creases; stains; scrapes; tape residue; tape inside). Another view of the box. Some flaws but the box is fairly clean, complete, square and sturdy! Two more views of the box. A sharp caboose in a very presentable box! The 6427 Lionel Lines caboose was sold from 1954 to 1960 but the tab couplers and "Late Classic" box help to date this piece as having been made after 1955. |
| 6427 (-60) |
VIRGINIAN N5c Caboose |
====== E+++ Un-run OB ====== |
Yes | $595 SOLD |
One of the most desirable and nicest looking cabooses made by Lionel in the postwar era: the Virginian -- an illuminated, blue-painted, porthole caboose with yellow heat-stamped lettering from 1958 only! Has bar-end trucks with a single tab coupler. Catalogued by Lionel as "6427-60" but only "6427" appears on the sides.
Photo of the other side. Just gorgeous! The caboose is very, very clean with sharp lettering and nice vibrant paint -- plus there are no cracks! The end railings are original and all intact; we "bench tested" the caboose and it does light! Two views of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 7 original box (tears; creases; minor scuffs; tape inside). Another view of the box. This box is very presentable as it is complete, clean, square and sturdy! It is the correct overstamped "-60" Box for the Virginian Caboose and one that is not easy to find! Two more views of the box. One of the nicest Virginian cabooses we have ever seen -- it will be an upgrade for most collectors! Our Archives Page has more information on 6427-60 Virginian Cabooses. |
| 6437 | Pennsylvania N5c Caboose |
====== E++ Un-run OB ====== |
Yes | $ 85 | A sharp, illuminated, Tuscan, porthole caboose from 1964-68 that was NEVER USED! Has white, heat-stamped lettering and late AAR trucks with one operating coupler.
Photo of the other side. Minor box rub on the roof and that is it for flaws! It is very, very clean with spectacular lettering and nice vibrant paint! The end railings are original and all intact! We "bench tested" the caboose and it does light! Two views of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 8+ original (picture) box (tears; creases; scuffs). Another view of the box. The box is clean, complete, square and sturdy plus there is no tape anywhere! Two more views of the box. A high-quality caboose in a high-quality box! Our Archives Page has more information about 6437 Pennsylvania Cabooses. |
| 6517 | Bay Window Caboose |
E+/OB | Yes | $115 | Large illuminated, LIONEL LINES caboose: has a red-painted body with white rubber-stamped lettering plus metal trucks; it is the later version from 1956-59 with no "Built Date" underscoring.
Photo of the other side. Has a very tiny, hairline screw crack plus some minor box rub and that's it for flaws! The caboose is very, very clean with nice vibrant paint, beautiful lettering and strong graphics plus a nice rust-free frame -- and the caboose does light! Photo of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 7+ original box (tears; creases; writing). Another view of the box. The box is solid: clean, complete, square and sturdy -- plus there is no tape anywhere! It is also the correct ("Late Classic") box for the 1956-59 version of the 6517 caboose. Two more views of the box. A nice caboose in a very presentable 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 & a die-cast smokestack. The 6517 caboose was made from 1955 to 1959 but the "Late Classic" box and the lack of underscoring on the car body date this piece as a 1956-59 item. |
| ======== (6517-75) ======== |
Erie Bay Window Caboose |
E++ | Yes | $595 | A sharp "ERIE C301" Bay Window caboose from 1966 only! Has a medium-red body with white rubber-stamped lettering.
Photo of the other side. Has all of the deluxe features of the "LIONEL LINES" version (illuminated, window insert, shades, die-cast smokestack, ladders, fancy passenger car-type trucks and dual operating couplers) but has the more desirable roadname. It is the only caboose produced by Lionel in the postwar era to have the Erie roadname. Catalogued by Lionel as "6517-75" but that number does not appear on the body of the caboose. Two views of the roof. Minor box rub and that's about it for flaws! The caboose is very, very clean and all intact with crisp lettering, sharp graphics and nice vibrant paint -- and of course, it does light! This one-year-only caboose is an elusive, high-quality piece that will enhance anyone's train collection! |
| 6657 | Rio Grande Caboose | E++/OB | Yes | $175 | Illuminated, Rio Grande (SP-type) caboose from 1957-58: has a yellow-painted body with a silver-painted lower stripe on each side plus a silver-painted roof.
Photo of the other side of this very-photogenic caboose. Additional features include black striping, black heat-stamped lettering and decals with the Rio Grande logo plus a die-cast smokestack. The chemically-blackened frame has end railings with single brakewheel plus metal, bar-end trucks with single tab coupler. Photo of the roof. Some box rub in spots and that's about it for flaws! The caboose is very, very clean with crisp lettering, gorgeous striping, nice vibrant silver and intact decals -- and it does light! Another view of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 6 original box (tears; creases; writing; amateur repairs; tape; price sticker residue). Some imperfections but the box is fairly clean, complete, square and sturdy! Photo of the nicer end of the box. With its unusual silver & yellow paint scheme and colorful logos, it is arguably the most attractive caboose produced by Lionel in the postwar era -- and it happens to be my favorite! |
| (6824 -50) |
Rescue Work Caboose |
====== E++ Un-run ====== |
Yes | $195 | A sharp "First Aid Medical Caboose" from 1964-65 that was NEVER USED! This uncatalogued item from the "Space & Military" series has a white cab, white tool bin and red lettering plus a BLACK-painted, sheet-metal frame with heat-stamped, sans-serif lettering and middle AAR trucks with one operating coupler.
Photo of the other side. Just some minor paint loss on the frame and that's about it for flaws! The cab and tool bin are very clean with crisp lettering, nice graphics and vibrant paint! The frame is also very clean with beautiful lettering! An "aerial" view. Note: this item represents another one of Lionel's oddities -- the number on the side of the caboose is "6814" (as the company used parts from the more common catalogued Rescue Caboose with that number) but the Lionel catalog number for this item is 6824-50! It appeared in only five Sears & Roebuck promotional outfits (one in 1964 & four in 1965) and never came with a component box. This caboose is complete as described; it is essentially the "plain Jane" version of the 6814 and the Sears Rescue Caboose differs from the more common 6814 Rescue Caboose in two ways: it has a black frame (not gray) and it did not come with any accessories (crewman, tool compartment insert, stretchers or oxygen tanks). It is a tough item to find in collector-quality condition and this 6824-50 is one of the nicest black-frame versions we have ever had for sale! |
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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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