6462
New York Central
Long Gondola
1949 - 1958

item# A001-0000005

The 6462 New York Central gondola has the distinction of being the first long gondola introduced by Lionel in the postwar era. This gondola was Lionel's answer to providing its customers with a longer and more realistic gondola than previous offerings (for example the 2452 gondola). The 6462 experienced many common manufacturing changes during its long 10-year run.

The 6462 was introduced in 1949 as a top-of-the-line gondola with a great deal of detail in the body.
Standard features included: painted body with white lettering, staple-end trucks with operating couplers, brake wheel, footsteps at all four corners and a set of six large unstained barrels.
As the production cycle evolved, so did the variations. Listed below are some of the more significant
changes in year order:

• 1949 - Introduced as Lionel's premium gondola.
• 1950 - Footsteps at all four corners were eliminated.
• 1951 - Bar-end trucks replaced the staple-end trucks.
• 1953 - Between 1950 and 1953, brake wheels were gradually eliminated. All 027 sets were the
  first to see the brake wheel eliminated. Next to see their demise were the separate sale gondolas and finally the O gauge sets.
• 1954 - Sometime during 1954, the six large unstained barrels were replaced with six of the smaller stained barrels. These stained barrels were the same barrels used on the operating barrel car.
• 1956 - Prior to 1956, the "N" (in the NYC lettering) began in the second panel. For 1956 and 1957- the "N" was moved to the third panel from the left.
• 1957 - Introduction of the 6462-500 Girl's gondola in pink. A very desirable car and difficult to find in collector condition.

The 6462 is a common gondola as it was available in numerous sets as well as being available for separate sale. Finding a 6462 gondola is easy, acquiring every variation will take time.

Historical Sales
	Condition	Price	Comments
	7+	$ 58.00	This is the harder-to-find green gondola produced in the mid-1950's. This freight car is nice and clean and includes a set of six original stained barrels.
	8	$ 40.00	Here's a beautiful, later version red gondola from the late 1950's. This gondola has bar-end trucks with tab couplers. The exterior lettering is crisp and clean and there is no rust nor oxidation on the base nor trucks.
	8+	$ 52.00	Now available is a gorgeous black gondola complete with a set of six original postwar barrels and a nice solid original box. This gondola has beautiful exterior colors and pristine lettering.
	10	$267.00	Up for sale is a brand new, unrun, all-original pink gondola from the infamous Girl Set produced in the late 1950's. The wheels are new and show no signs of ever being on the track. The exterior color is in phenomenal condition and the lettering is perfect.
	8	$ 48.00	This is a beautiful black gondola from the mid-1950's. The exterior lettering and colors are pristine and there is minimal signs of usage. The frame and trucks are free of rust, nicks and chips. The original box is complete, solid and in great condition.
	10	$145.00	Up for sale is a brand new, never used, truly Mint red gondola from 1950. The exterior red color is vibrant and the white side lettering is crisp, clean and complete. Also included are six orig. postwar barrels and the inspection tag!
	8+	$150.00	Up for sale is a beautiful green gondola from 1954. This is the earlier version with the "NYC" beginning in the second panel. Also included is a solid, complete original box and large, unstained barrels.
	9	$215.00	Now available is a stunning green gondola from 1956. This is the later, and harder-to-find production version with the "NYC" beginning in the third panel. Also included is a solid, complete original box and smaller, stained barrels.

All postings here are for educational purposes only, 

Please leave a comment as to what you think would be a good 

price and description for my etsy store.