The Lionel SP Type Caboose No. 6457 superceded the No. 2357 as the premiere caboose that Lionel used in their premium sets in 1949. This caboose is distinguished by the Lionel "L" imprint inside two concentric circles that was inscribed on the sides. There are four variations of this car:

Variation A: CHOCOLATE BROWN painted body, BROWN plastic stack
Variation B: Same as A but this version has a die-cast stack
Variation C: Gloss BROWN painted body, BLACK die-cast stack
Variation D: MAROON painted body, BLACK die-cast stack

The last variation usually came in a box numbered "6457-25." The first three variations have staple-end trucks and the D Variation has bar-end trucks, all of these cars came with magnetic couplers, ladders, brake wheels and tool boxes. Production of this caboose ceased in 1952.