The Operating Coal Unloading Car No. 5459 was issued in 1948 and 1949 as part of the "Electronic Set." Each of the cars in this set, including this one, had a radio frequency receiver on them that would allow them to be uncoupled anywhere WITHOUT the use of a UCS track section. The color of the decals on these cars determined which button to push on the ECU-1 Transmitter to unload or uncouple the car. This operating coal dump car had a GREEN decal with a Lionel "L" that read "ELECTRONIC CONTROL" and was located between the second and third row of rivets to the left side of the car.

It is of all metal construction, with the top dump bin made out of aluminum that has heat-stamped lettering, staple-end trucks with electronic coil couplers, and brake wheels on each end. The "Electronic Set" came with a No. 97 Coal Elevator which worked in conjunction with this car.

This car could also be used with the No. 397 Operating Coal Loader. There are no variations.