6465 Tank Cars
1948 - 1966

item# A003-0000006

The 6465 tank car is a unique tank car in the Lionel family. It's fame  comes from the fact it had the longest production run of any   single-style Lionel tank car. Additionally, the 6465 contained the
widest variety of road names used by Lionel on a single style tank car. The 6465 was introduced by Lionel in 1948 as a Sunoco tank car. From  there it carried numerous road names such as Gulf, Cities Services and  Lionel Lines. Production of the last 6465 tank car was in 1966. Due to  its long 19-year production run, the 6465 tank cars have seen  practically every variation of a two-dome tank car. Since the 6465 was  included in many sets, locating a 6465 tank car is easy. However, collector quality versions of the late 1940's and early 1950's are the hardest to locate. Recently, the early to mid 1960's versions are  becoming harder to find in nice condition.

Listing standard features of the 6465 is impossible because of the nineteen years of production. The only consistent item for that period is the 6465 remained a two dome tank car! The following features used to help identify the approximate year of production:

• 1948 - 1949: Staple-end trucks, two operating couplers, dual metal hand railings, footsteps at all four corners and two screws securing the body to the frame.
• 1950 - 1951: Same as above except the four corner footsteps were eliminated.
• 1952 - 1956: Same as above except the bar-end trucks replaced the staple-end trucks.
• 1958 - 1966: AAR trucks, two operating couplers, molded plastic handrailings and metal tabs securing the body to the frame. 1958 is the year Lionel implemented the most significant amount of changes to the 6465 tank car. Most, if not all, were aimed at reducing Lionel's production cost.

 Sunoco -  This is the most common 6465 tank car. It had the longest run of any 6465 tanker and is generally viewed as the highest quality 6465 tank car. With all metal trucks and wire handrailings, the Sunoco tank car is a great looking tank car. Production started in 1948 and ended in 1956.
 Gulf / Lionel Lines - Probably the hardest 6465 tank car to locate in collectable condition. It was a one year only item from 1958 and is known to have come with either a black or gray body. Collector quality examples of either variation are difficult to locate.
 Lionel Lines - This road name was produced in two different color variations -- black or orange. The black version is a one-year only item from 1959 and is somewhat hard to find. The orange version is a common tank car and produced from 1960 until 1966. Although the orange tank car is a common item, it is usually found in less than collectable condition -- those in collectable condition will warrant a slight premium in price.
 Cities Services - Although production lasted for three years, 1960 through 1962, the Cities Services is a hard tank car to locate.

	Condition	Price	Comments
	7+/OB	$ 45.00	Up for sale is the one-year only gray tank car from 1958. The exterior colors and lettering are crisp and clean and the side decal is in perfect condition. Overall condition is almost an 8!
	7+/OB	$ 62.00	Now available is a beautiful Sunoco tank car. This is an early version with staple-end trucks, metal footsteps at each corner and a rare 6555-overstamped original box. The exterior colors are pristine and there is no rust, oxidation nor damage to the freight car.
	7+/OB	$ 73.00	Here's a gorgeous Sunoco tank car with a vibrant silver exterior and solid, complete side graphics and lettering. This is an early version with staple-end trucks and metal footsteps at each corner. There is no rust, oxidation nor damage to the freight car.
	7+/OB	$ 78.00	Now available is the one-year only glossy gray Gulf tank car from 1958. This exterior gray is in nice condition with only a few paint nicks and flakes. The side blue lettering and graphics are crisp and clean.
	9	$ 62.00	Now available is a stunning, barely used orange Lionel Lines tank car. The exterior orange is vibrant and the side lettering is pristine and not worn or faded. Even the frame and trucks are in great condition.
	9	$ 65.00	Up for sale is a near-new, barely used orange Lionel Lines tanker from the mid-1960's. The exterior orange is vibrant and the side lettering is pristine and not worn or faded. Even the frame and trucks are in great condition.
	10/OB	$215.00	Here's a truly Mint, never used and brand new tank car from the 1953 era. It includes the original inspection tag and a brand new box.
	7	$33.00	Here's a nice and clean orange Lionel Lines tanker from the mid-1960's. This tank car is complete and there is no damage to the tank nor side walkways. The AAR trucks are the later version.
	8+/OB	$ 98.00	Up for sale is a stunning Sunoco tank car. This is the version from the final year of Sunoco production as it has bar-end trucks with tab couplers. Even the original box is as beautiful as the freight car.
	9	$ 95.00	Now available for sale is a near-new, probably test-run black Lionel Lines tanker that was only produced for a single year: 1959. The exterior black is in pristine condition and the side lettering is clean, crisp and not worn nor faded.
	8/OB	$ 85.00	Up for sale is the one-year only tank car from 1958. This is the gray version with blue lettering. The exterior is in superb condition and the frame and trucks are extremely clean.

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