Lionel Electric Trains Identification Guide Sub-Title
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This Identification Guide for Lionel Electric Trains covers the "Post-war Era" only from 1945 until 1969.

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The Lionel Trains Fire Company Flat Car No. 3512LIONEL TRAINS FIRE LADDER COMPANY FLAT CAR No. 3512

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Fire Ladder Co. Car No. 3512 with Black Ladder
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Fire Ladder Co. Car No. 3512 with Silver Ladder
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The Lionel Trains Fire Company Flat Car No. 3512Operating Fireman and Ladder Car No. 3512 was produced from 1959 until 1961 on a RED body mold 6424-11 Die 4 with WHITE heat-stamped lettering and AAR trucks equipped with disc couplers. This car, like the No. 3540 Radar Car and the No. 3545 TV Monitor Car, had the axles on one of the trucks fused to the wheels that allowed the use of a drive belt to move the fireman and a shield inside the light to simulate a flashing appearance as the car rolled along the track. There were compatibility problems with this belt that was similar to the problem Lionel had with the No. 38 Water Tower and the No. 65 Hand Car. If the original belt is still there it is usually found melted to the axles.

No. 3512 Box End

This fireman and ladder car was quite an object of labor for Lionel. According to the Lionel Service Manual 26 of the 38 serviceable parts were manufactured just for this car. Because of its delicate nature these cars were really not designed for use by small children, and because of this, it is extremely hard to find them today in complete original condition. Many of the parts for this car have been reproduced and it is a rare occurrence to find a car that does not use some of these parts. One of the first parts that the collector should look for are the fire nozzles that are located behind the fireman on the deck of the car. These are often missing. The extension ladder stops that hold and center the ladder on the car are often broken and the side ladders from the No. 394 Beacon are sometimes missing and the catches that hold them are frequently broken. There are two variations:
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Variation A: Has a BLACK extension ladder.
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Variation B: Has a SILVER extension ladder. This variation is harder to find.
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No. 3512 Top View
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