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 |
| 60 | Trolley | E+/OB | Yes | $350 | The 4-wheel, Birney-style, illuminated "RAPID TRANSIT" Trolley with MOTORMEN from early 1955:
Photo of the other side. Has an unpainted yellow body with black heat-stamped lettering and a red roof plus two-part spring bumpers. A glimpse of the motorman on duty. The metal silhouettes of the motormen are mounted internally on the slide at each end; when the trolley changes direction, the motormen "move" thus simulating the changing of the motorman's position. Photo of one end. A few light surface scratches on one side and that's about it for flaws! It is very clean with nice crisp lettering and completely intact with no cracks -- plus there are no melt marks in the roof. Photo of the other end. Has the original pole, pole holder and roof. An "aerial" view. Photo of the box. Grade 6 original box (tears; creases; tape inside; glue residue; some dirt; writing; mildly distorted). Another view of the box. The box has some flaws but it has the elaborate original insert plus it is fairly clean, complete and sturdy! It is also the correct ("Middle Classic") box for this version of the Trolley. Photo of the box insert. Has the original instruction sheet #60-103, dated 8/55 (creases, tears & discolored). Photo of the instruction sheet. The initial-production trolley with motormen is the rarest and most desirable of the various trolleys made by Lionel and this one is a good-looking, all-original piece that lights and runs great! |
| 400 | ============= Baltimore & Ohio RDC-1 Budd Powered Passenger Car ============= |
E+/OB | Yes | $325 | A B & O motorized Rail Diesel Car (RDC) from 1956-58: this powered commuter car has a silver body with fluted sides and 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 providing nice, realistic illumination. A close-up of one side showing the nice crisp lettering. Has a scuff on the top of one of the vestibules plus the usual discoloration (stains) in parts of the roof ribbing and side fluting. (Note that the stains are light and the photos do not show them very well.) The cab is clean overall with even silver and crisp lettering! Photo of one end. The chassis is very clean with a nice rust-free frame plus there is no battery damage! Photo of the other end. This very-low-mileage unit was serviced and it lights and runs great -- plus the horn works! Two "aerial" views. Has the correct original instruction sheet #400-29, dated 5/56 . Photo of the instruction sheet. Photo of the open end of the box. Grade 9+ original (Robert Gair Co. corrugated) box. Photo of the sealed end of the box. The box has some minor writing and that's it for flaws! Close-up of the manufacturer's data. 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. We have had very few clean 400 Budd Cars over the years but this one is very presentable and it's in the nicest 400 box we have ever had! This prototypical-looking Budd Car will look great on a shelf or in a display cabinet but it is also a smooth runner and it is ready for a layout. |
| 404 | ============= Baltimore & Ohio RDC-4 Budd Powered Mail-Baggage Car ============= |
E++/OB | Yes | $495 SOLD |
Sharp B & O motorized Rail Diesel Car (RDC) from 1957: this powered "RAILWAY POST OFFICE" Budd car has a silver body with blue lettering.
Photo of the other side. Has Magnetraction, an operating horn and three interior lights that provide nice, even illumination. A close-up of one side showing the clean silver & crisp lettering. A couple of light scratches on one end plus a few small paint chips. That's about it for flaws! Photo of one end. The car is very, very clean with nice bright silver and 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. Serviced and the unit lights and runs great -- plus the horn works! Two "aerial" views. Has the correct original instruction sheet #404-8 (dated 5/57). Photo of the instruction sheet. Photo of the open end of the box. Grade 8+ original box (smudge from a mis-stamping at the factory; writing). The box is SOLID: clean, complete, square, rather brick-like and there is no un-original tape anywhere! 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 (stains and tears) plus the original Lionel wrapping paper (tears) that was provided by the company to help protect the piece. Photo of the box insert and the original Lionel wrapping paper. One of the nicest 404 units we have ever had -- and in one of the nicest 404 boxes we have ever had! It is a great-running, low-mileage engine in a spectacular box! The 404 Mail-baggage Car is much harder to find than the 400 RDC Passenger Car. |
| 2429 | Livingston Pullman |
E/E+ | Yes | $135 SOLD |
Illuminated, silver "Coach" from 1952 and 1953: has black heat-stamped lettering, silhouetted window strips and coil couplers:
Photo of the other side. The roof has a couple of stains and a few light scratches; the sides have some scuffs plus the normal imperfections associated with silver paint (discoloration and evidence of handling). This car is very clean overall with nice even silver and crisp lettering -- and of course, it does light! The roof and sides are completely intact with no cracks or melt marks. Two views of the roof. The 2429 Livingston Pullman is the hardest car of the 242X series to find. Adding extra cars to a passenger set will always make the consist look more realistic. This 2429 is very presentable and it will look good on display or on a layout as the lights and couplers all work. Our Archives Page: more about the 242X passenger car series. |
| 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 | $395 | 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. A few thin scratches on the roof and a couple of light scuffs on the vestibule ends 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 6 original box (tears; creases; tape; amateur repairs; writing; minor stains). Another view of the box. Various imperfections but the box is fairly clean, complete, square and sturdy. A third view of the box. Part of an old advertising label on the box provides a little history of this particular 2559 -- it was originally sold by the famous Madison Hardware of New York City! Great-looking, prototypical car with minimal run time -- one of the nicest 2559 Budd Cars we have ever had! |
| 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! | |||||
| Passenger Sets: | |||||
| An UNUSED Santa Fe Passenger Car Set from 1964: (silver painted with blue, heat-stamped lettering).
How uncommon are these cars? They came UNBOXED in only one catalogued set (#11490 sold in 1964 that was also carried over into 1965) plus two uncatalogued 1964 sets where they were BOXED! | |||||
| 2404 | Santa Fe Vista Dome |
====== E+ Un-run OB ====== |
Yes | | | \ / |
The "Viewing" car: a Vista Dome with original roof and original finials:
Photo of the other side. Frame has rust (top and bottom) but the body has only the usual imperfections associated with silver paint. The car is very clean with crisp lettering and nice shiny silver. An "aerial" view. Photo of the box. Grade 7 original box (tears; creases; scrapes; scuffs; tape inside; writing). A solid box: clean, complete, square and sturdy! Another view of the box. A great-looking car in one of the hardest postwar boxes to find! |
| 2405 | Santa Fe Pullman |
====== E++ Un-run OB ====== |
Yes | | | \ / |
The "Coach" -- a Pullman with original roof and original finials:
Photo of the other side. Frame has rust (on the top and only visible by looking inside the car) but the body is gorgeous! The car is very, very clean with crisp lettering and nice shiny silver. An "aerial" view. Photo of the box. Grade 7 original box (tears; creases; scrapes; depressions; tape inside; writing). A solid box: clean, complete, square and sturdy! Another view of the box. A great-looking car in one of the hardest postwar boxes to find! |
| 2406 | Santa Fe Observation Car |
====== E+ Un-run OB ====== |
Yes | | | \ / |
The "Lounge" car -- an Observation Car with original roof and original finials:
Photo of the other side. Frame has rust (top and bottom) and there is some excess factory paint on the left side near the roof line. The body is sharp: very, very clean with crisp lettering and nice shiny silver. Photo of the observation area. The tail section is completely intact. Photo of the roof. Photo of the box. Grade 7 original box (tears; creases; scrapes; tape inside; writing; color slightly faded). A solid box: clean, complete, square and sturdy! Another view of the box. A great-looking car in one of the hardest postwar boxes to find! |
| ===> | ===> | ===> | Yes | $595 | Price for the three-car Passenger Set described above |
|
Three 60-year-old cars that were NEVER RUN! This rather obscure set is the ONLY BOXED 2404-05-06 set we have ever had
for sale! The cars are very scarce but the boxes are RARE, RARE, RARE!
A little about Lionel's history and some more information about these fascinating cars: In 1964, Lionel was in the throes of a cost-cutting program and produced the 2404-2405-2406 Santa Fe Passenger Car series -- "plain-Jane" cars that did not have lights or silhouetted window strips. After two years, apparently, the company regretted their decision to offer passenger cars without illumination and in 1966, Lionel discontinued the 2404-05-06 cars in favor of the spruced-up, deluxe 2408-09-10 cars which were essentially upgraded versions of the economy cars. | |||||
| Illuminated, Santa Fe Passenger Car Set from 1966 only (silver painted with blue, heat-stamped
lettering).
How uncommon are these cars? They came unboxed in only one catalogued set (#11590 sold in 1966 and they were pulled by 212 Santa Fe Alco AA Diesels). Those cars were also available as separate sale items for $9.00 apiece but they did not come in any uncatalogued sets! | |||||
| 2408 | Santa Fe Vista Dome |
E+ | Yes | | | \ / |
The "Viewing" car: a lighted Vista Dome with original silhouetted window strips, original roof and original finials:
Photo of the other side. The roof has a scuff near one of the finials plus there are a few small paint chips on the sides and that's about it for flaws. The car is very nice overall: very, very clean with crisp lettering and nice even silver. Two "aerial" views. A good-looking car! |
| 2409 | Santa Fe Pullman |
E++ | Yes | | | \ / |
The "Coach" -- a lighted Pullman with original silhouetted window strips, original roof and original finials:
Photo of the other side. Some box rub and a few small paint chips on the sides but that's about it for flaws! The car is very, very clean with crisp lettering and nice even silver. Two "aerial" views. A good-looking car! |
| 2410 | Santa Fe Observation Car |
VG+ | Yes | | | \ / |
The "Lounge" car -- a lighted Observation Car with original silhouetted window strips, original roof and original finials:
Photo of the other side. Small smudges on the sides and the roof has scratches around the finials. The car is fairly clean overall with crisp lettering and nice even silver. Photo of the observation area. The tail section is completely intact -- never rear-ended or involved in a crash. Two "aerial" views. Some flaws but the car is still decent car. |
| ===> | ===> | ===> | Yes | $325 | Price for the three-car Passenger Set described above |
|
This is a rather obscure set that is over 55 years old. It is only the third 2408-09-10 set we have ever had for sale as the cars are SCARCE!
The set is ready to enjoy on display or on a layout as the window inserts are nice and all lights and couplers work!
A little about Lionel's history and some more information about these fascinating cars: in 1964, Lionel was in the throes of a cost-cutting program and produced the 2404-2405-2406 Santa Fe Passenger Car series -- "plain-Jane" cars that did not have lights or silhouetted window strips. After two years, apparently, the company regretted their decision to offer passenger cars without illumination and in 1966, Lionel discontinued the 2404-05-06 cars in favor of the spruced-up, deluxe 2408-09-10 cars which were essentially upgraded versions of the economy cars. | |||||
| 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. | |||||
| 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! | |||||
| Hints for buying Passenger Cars (We will bring you back) |
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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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