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Space & Military Cars
| This Web Page Last Updated: October 25, 2025 |
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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 3665 Minuteman
Boxcar E+/OB
Yes
$ 95
The operating missile launching Strategic Air Command Boxcar from 1961-64:
Photo of the car.
Has an unpainted white body with red and blue, heat-stamped lettering and early AAR trucks with operating couplers.
Photo of the other side with the roof open and the car in launch mode.
ORIGINAL, dark-blue, 2-part roof (all tabs intact) and the ORIGINAL, red, white and blue missile (rocket) -- some burrs but it is completely intact with the original blue tip!
Photo of both ends of the car.
A great-looking car with minimal flaws: very clean with nice graphics and the mechanism does work!
Photo of the roof and the rocket.
Has the original instruction sheet #3665-23, dated 6/61 (stains & creases).
Photo of the instruction sheet.
Photo of the box.
Grade 6 original box (one end flap is not original to this box; tears; creases; tape; discoloration from tape removal; glue residue).
Another view of the box.
Some flaws but this box is fairly clean, square and sturdy!
A third 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.
3820
U.S.M.C. Flatcar
with
Submarine ======
Load:
E++
Car:
E++
Un-run
====== Yes
$325
Olive-drab painted flatcar with the correct, ORIGINAL operating "U. S. NAVY 3830" submarine.
Photo of the other side.
This 1960-62 car has white heat-stamped lettering and early AAR trucks with operating couplers.
A "aerial" view of the sub and the car's decking.
Flat: minimal flaws! The car is very, very clean with nice vibrant paint, crisp lettering and shiny, rust-free truck rivets! Has the original wire retainer holding clips. 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.
Photo of the lettering on the sub.
The gray sub has black heat-stamped lettering.
Photo of the bow and stern of the sub.
Minimal flaws on the sub! It is completely intact, very clean with crisp lettering and it is ALL ORIGINAL!
Photo of the original "LIONEL" ID plate ("bottom window") below the sub.
One of the nicest 3820s we have ever had! This hard-to-find car is one of the most desirable items from the "Space and Military Series." It came in the Land-Sea-And Air set as well as two other sets. The 3820 was never available for separate sale and Lionel never made a box for this piece.
Click here to go to Our Archives Page to read more about 3820 USMC Flatcars & Subs.
6017
(-60) Marine Corps
Caboose ===>
===>
===>
Need something to bring up the rear of your military train?
Click here to go to our Caboose Page to read about a gorgeous, boxed Marine Corps caboose from 1958 only.
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!
6805 Atomic Energy Disposal Car
Load:
See Notes
Car:
Ex. Yes
$110
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 rails are tarnished and that's about it for flaws on the flat! The car is completely intact and very, very clean with crisp lettering!
Close-up of the opposite side's lettering on the canisters.
The red "DANGER" lettering on one canister is smudged and touched up and there is some paint loss below that flaw plus two of the handles have some minor paint loss; however the canister is very clean with very nice lettering on one side and there are no cracks (VG). The other canister has some very minor paint loss; it is completely intact and very clean with nice lettering (E+). Both canisters are ORIGINAL with heat-stamped lettering!
Photo of the tops of the canisters and an "aerial" view of the car's decking.
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
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