6457
Lionel
SP-Type Caboose

item# A005-0000004

The 6457 was introduced in 1949 as Lionel's premium SP-style caboose. It is essentially an updated version of the 2357 caboose with magnetic couplers replacing the coil couplers. The 6457 caboose is an easy caboose to locate. It was available as a separate sale item and also included in Lionel's better sets. Standard features on the 6457 caboose include: painted body with white lettering, circle 'L' logo in white, illumination, die-cast smokestack, dual battery boxes, ladders at each end, end-railings plus dual operating couplers and two brake wheels. For most of this cabooses production run, staple-end trucks were the norm. For 1952 -- its final year -- Lionel switched to bar-end trucks. Additionally, the body was first produced with a painted brown shell. Later production included both brown and maroon versions.

The only significant detail which changed from the initial production cycle is the die-cast smokestack. When originally introduced, the die-cast smokestack was painted brown to match the color of the caboose. Soon after its introduction, the painted stack was changed to be an unpainted black stack. Painted stacks are not available on the maroon version.

The length of this caboose is approximately 7 1/2" long (coupler to coupler).
   Brown with Brown Smokestack - Probably produced during the first few runs in 1949. Not an easy version to locate.
   Brown with Unpainted Smokestack - Generally agreed to be more common than the maroon version.
  Maroon - Although readily available in the marketplace, it is not as common as the brown version.

1949 - 1952

6457 Lionel Lines Caboose
Variation	Years
Brown, Painted Stack	1949
Brown, Unpainted Stack	1949 - 1951
Maroon	1951 - 1952

6457 Lionel Lines SP-Type Caboose
	Condition	Price	Comments
	7/OB	$50.00	This is a complete, undamaged caboose from Lionel's final year of 6457 production: 1952. This caboose has bar-end trucks and the interior light has been tested and works properly. Even the original box is in nice condition and free of writing and stains.
	7+	$35.00	Up for sale is a complete, undamaged, great looking caboose from the early 1950's. This caboose has vibrant exterior colors and crisp, clean side lettering. There is no rust on the base, end railings nor trucks.
	7+	$55.00	Up for sale is a complete, undamaged brown caboose from 1952. There is no rust nor oxidation on the frame and trucks and the interior light works properly.
	7+/OB	$60.00	Here's a clean, complete and nice lighted caboose. This version is from the final year of its production as it has bar-end trucks. The caboose has a vibrant exterior color and crisp, clean side lettering.
	8/OB	$64.00	Now available for sale is a beautiful premium SP-style caboose from the early 1950's. The colors are vibrant and the lettering is crisp, clean and complete. The frame and trucks are free of rust and oxidation and the interior light does work properly.
	7+	$52.00	Now available for sale is a very clean, all-original caboose from the early 1950's. This caboose has a clean exterior with crisp, white side lettering. There is nothing broken nor damaged on the caboose.
	8/OB	$75.00	Up for sale is a stunning, all-original, super clean caboose. This caboose is an early version with a painted stack and in an overstamped 2357 caboose box. The exterior colors are vibrant and the lettering is super clean.

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