| Home | Site Map | Postwar Lionel | Modern Lionel | Soviet Trains | Contact Us |
Phone: 732-271-5124 *** Fax: 732-271-9285 *** E-mail Dave & Joan
Space & Military Cars
| This Web Page Last Updated: July 15, 2024 |
|---|
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 44
Mobile
Missile
Launcher ===>
===>
===>
Click here to go to our Diesels, Electrics & Motorized Units Page to read about a very nice, boxed U.S. Army Mobile Missile Launcher from 1959-62.
59
Minuteman
Switcher ===>
===>
===>
Click here to go to our Diesels, Electrics & Motorized Units
Page to read about the last "baby diesel" switcher made in the postwar era -- the very scarce
U.S. Air Force Minuteman sold in 1962 & 1963.
175-200
Rocket Launcher Control Panel
===>
===>
===>
Need something to launch some artillery from your Rocket & Missile Firing cars?
Click here to go to our Accessories Page to read about a nice Rocket Launcher Control Panel
from 1958-60.
197
Rotating
Radar Antenna ===>
===>
===>
Click here to go to our Accessories Page to read about a nice, boxed Rotating Radar Antenna
from 1958-59.
199
Microwave Tower
===>
===>
===>
Click here to go to our Accessories Page to read about a nice, boxed Blinking Microwave Tower
from 1958-59.
3665 Minuteman
Boxcar E++/OB
Yes
$ 160
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.
6650
Missile Launching Car
E+++/OB
Yes
$135
A good-looking missile launching flatcar from 1959-60: red flat (mold #6511-2) has white heat-stamped lettering with "6650" on the left plus early AAR trucks with operating couplers.
Photo of the other side with the rocket on its way to the target.
Minimal flaws! The car is gorgeous: very, very clean with crisp, white lettering and nice, shiny truck rivets -- plus the firing mechanism does work!
Photo of the rocket and an "aerial" view of the car's decking.
The red and white missile is complete and it is ORIGINAL!
Photo of the instruction sheet.
Has the original instruction sheet #6650-92, dated 8/59.
Photo of the box.
Grade 7+ original box (tears; creases; panel partially separated; tape on the inside).
Another view of the box.
A few flaws but this box is still solid: clean, complete, square and sturdy!
Photo of the front panel.
This car is from the "Space and Military Series" and was sold from 1959 to 1963 but the "Perforated Panel" box helps to date this one as a 1959 or 1960 piece.
Nicest 6650 we have ever had; this all-original, sharp car is in a very strong box plus it offers some "play value" for an operator!
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).
6805 Atomic Energy Disposal Car
Load:
Ex.
Car:
E++
OB Yes
$195
SOLD A unique piece of rolling stock from the "Space & Military" series -- the "Radioactive Waste Car" from 1958-59: unpainted red flatcar with two simulated concrete containers used by atomic research installations.
Photo of the other side of the car.
The flat has two silver metal rails plus white heat-stamped lettering and metal, bar-end trucks with tab couplers.
Close-up of the lettering on one side of the canisters.
The flat is completely intact and very, very clean with nice, crisp lettering and nice shiny rails!
Close-up of the opposite side's lettering on the canisters.
Has the ORIGINAL blinking canisters with heat-stamped lettering! Each canister has some dirt around the lettering and one has a few scratches but they are both completely intact and clean overall with nice lettering!
Photo of the tops of the canisters and an "aerial" view of the car's decking.
Photo of the box.
Grade 6 original box (missing a small piece of one interior coupler flap; tears; creases; lots of tape inside; glue residue; writing; "aged" look). Some flaws but the box is clean, square and sturdy!
Another view of the box.
When power is applied to the track, a light in each container glows intermittently at random through a red panel, thus emitting the glow of a nuclear reaction. The ominous-looking 6805 always adds interest to a layout and this car works perfectly!
Our Archives Page has more information on 6805 Atomic Waste Cars.
(6824
-50) First Aid
Medical Car ===>
===>
===>
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
(We will bring you back)How can we help?
~~~ Ready to Order? ~~~
Click here to
Place an Order
Postwar Lionel Diesels & Electrics
Steamers
Passenger Cars
Railroad Work Cars
Freight Cars
Space & Military Cars
Cabooses
Accessories
Sets
Original Boxes
Other Paper
~ Unique Reference Charts ~
Home
Site Map
Postwar Lionel
Modern Lionel
Soviet Trains
Contact Us
