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! |
| 2357 | SP Caboose |
E+/OB | Yes | $110 | A caboose that does not come up for sale very often -- the illuminated, Tuscan-painted Southern Pacific caboose from 1947-48: second-version production with brake wheels mounted on the outside of the railings; has a matching painted, plastic smokestack and staple-end trucks with dual coil couplers.
Photo of the other side. The 2357 was the top-of-the-line SP caboose during its time and has these deluxe features: interior light, battery boxes, ladders, two brakewheels and two operating couplers. Photo of the roof. The small lettering on the left side is somewhat muted (but readable) and that's it for flaws! The caboose is very, very clean with nice vibrant paint & strong lettering overall -- and of course, it does light. In addition, the smokestack is completely intact and the ladders & frame are rust free. Photo of the box. Grade 7 original box (tears; creases; tape inside; "aged" look). Another view of the box. Has the insert (liner) and the box is solid: clean, complete, square & sturdy! Photo of the elaborate box insert. A good-looking caboose! Check your collection; the guidebooks suggest that it is a common caboose but most of the ones in the marketplace have broken stacks and various other problems! We have had very 2357 Cabooses in collector-quality condition! |
| 2457 | Pennsylvania N5 Caboose |
VG | Yes | $ 45 On Hold |
Old-fashioned, tinplate, LIGHTED P.R.R. caboose from 1946-47 with staple-end trucks and single coil coupler. Version with red body and red smokestack plus black window frames and without "EASTERN DIV." on the sides. Has white lettering plus single steps at each of the corners. The 2457 is a deluxe caboose with die-cast smokestack, battery box, air pump, end rails with ladders and a brakestand at each end.
Photo of the other side. Has a ding (depression) and a little paint loss in the front part of the roof of the cupola plus some minor paint loss on the platform in the back and that's about it for flaws! It is clean with strong lettering and nice vibrant paint! Photo of the front & back of the caboose. The 2457 was sold from 1945 to 1947; however, the combination of the single steps and coil coupler help to date this piece as a 1946-47 item! Photo of the roof. It is a much harder caboose to find than the non-lighted 2472. Another view of the roof. A nicely-detailed caboose that is loaded with just about every top-of-the-line feature offered by Lionel in that era. Great for an operating layout as the light and coupler work! |
| 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! |
| 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! |
| 6219 | C & O Work Caboose |
E+ | Yes | $ 85 | A Chesapeake & Ohio work caboose from 1960 only: has a painted blue cab with yellow heat-stamped lettering, a painted blue tool bin and a black sheet-metal frame with yellow rubber-stamped lettering plus early AAR trucks with a single operating coupler.
Photo of the other side. One step has some paint loss plus there is some minor box rub on the cab in spots and that's about it for flaws! The caboose is all-original, completely intact and very, very clean with nice vibrant paint. It has strong lettering on both the cab and the frame! Two "aerial" views. Arguably the most attractive work caboose produced by Lionel in the postwar era -- and the only one with yellow lettering on the frame. With each passing day, the 6219 is getting harder and harder to find. Note that Lionel never made a box for the 6219 Caboose. |
| 6257 | Southern Pacific Caboose |
E+++ | Yes | $ 25 | The traditional "little old red caboose" -- a sharp, SP caboose with white lettering from 1948-51. Tile-red version with two brakewheels, black-painted frame and staple-end trucks with single magnetic coupler.
Photo of the other side. Just stunning: completely intact and very, very clean with nice crisp lettering! Photo of the roof. If you need this caboose for a specific set or you just want a sharp piece to end your freight train, this inexpensive, boxed caboose is the answer! It is a very, very nice piece! |
| Two different versions of the 6417 Pennsylvania N5c Caboose: | |||||
| 6417 | Pennsylvania N5c Caboose |
E+/OB | Yes | $ 55 | 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. Has a scratch on the top of the cupola plus some minor box rub. The caboose is very, very clean with beautiful lettering, nice vibrant paint, original intact end railings (minor bowing) -- and of course, it does light! An "aerial" view of the caboose. Photo of the box. Grade 6+ original box (creases; dented; mildly distorted; discolored; some stains; "aged" look). Some imperfections but this box is fairly clean, complete and sturdy -- plus there is no tape anywhere! Another view of the box. A good-looking caboose in a decent box! |
| 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 railings -- 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. |
| = | |||||
| 6417-50 | 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. |
| 6427 (-60) |
VIRGINIAN N5c Caboose |
====== E+++ Un-run ====== |
Yes | $475 | 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. 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. |
| ======== (6517-75) ======== |
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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