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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Lionel Cattle, Refrigerator, and Vat CarsLIONEL TRAINS CATTLE, REFRIGERATOR, & VAT CARS

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Lionel Trains REA Refrigerator Car No. 6572 Variation B

These cars were under-represented in production during the Post War period, but beginning in 1970, the advent of the Modern Era would see an explosion of these cars that were available in a variety of road names.
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Many of the operating cars derived their body molds from these cars. The few cars that are listed here were usually the first into production and all are highly valued by collectors today. Lionel printed their production numbers on the side of these cars and we’ve listed these cars by this number in order in the Numerical Index below.

We’ve listed these cars their types below:
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BB Cattle Cars BB Refrigerator Cars BB Vat Cars

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Lionel Cattle CarsCATTLE CARS

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Lionel 9-1/4 inch Cattle CarsLionel would produce two types of cattle cars during the Post War Era. The first was the smaller 9-1/4 inch cars that first appeared in 1950. The second, and larger 11-1/4 cars, had two levels designed to carry smaller livestock and premiered in 1954.
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See the Numerical Index for additional details about the individual cars in this class.

Lionel Trains No. 6656 Variation C
Readers who need more information are respectfully urged to seek outside sources.

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Lionel Refrigerator CarsREFRIGERATOR CARS

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Lionel Refrigerator CarsAside from the very popular Automatic Milk Cars listed under Operating Cars, Lionel produced only one other type of refrigerator car and then they only made two different varieties of this car. First issued in 1954, these cars were a well made design whose door would snap in place. For this reason it is frequently referred to as a "Plug-door" box car, but this is incorrect as the detailing on the door shows the traditional sealing used on prototype refrigerator cars. See the Numerical Index for additional details about the individual cars in this class.

Lionel Trains Refrigerator Car No. 6572 Variation B
Readers who need more information are respectfully urged to seek outside sources.

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The Lionel Vat CarsVAT CARS

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The Lionel Vat Carshese rather whimsical cars are based on an actual prototype employed, most famously, by the H.J. Heinz Company. There would be only two different versions of this car that began production in 1960, and both have the number 6475. These cars are highly regarded by collectors. See the Numerical Index for additional details about the individual cars in this class.

Lionel Trains Pickles Vat Car No. 6475 Variation A
Readers who need more information are respectfully urged to seek outside sources.
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Numerical List Title
BB 6356 (63561) New York Central Cattle Car
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BB 6376 Circus Cattle Car
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BB 6434 Poultry Dispatch Car
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BB 6472 Refrigerator Car
BB 6475 Libby’s Vat Car
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BB 6475 Pickles Vat Car
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BB 6482 Refrigerator Car
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BB 6556 M-K-T Cattle Car
BB 6572 REA Refrigerator Car
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BB 6646 Lionel Lines Cattle Car
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BB 6656 Lionel Lines Cattle Car
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BB 6672 Santa Fe Refrigerator Car

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BB Lionel Passenger Cars BB Lionel Box Cars BB Lionel Flat Cars BB Lionel Trailer Vans BB Lionel Military & Space Cars BB
BB Lionel Operating Cars BB LIONEL CATTLE, REFRIGERATOR, & VAT CARS BB Lionel Gondola Cars BB
BB Lionel Hopper Cars BB Lionel Tank Cars BB Lionel Cabooses BB Lionel Trucks and Couplers BB
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A Burlington FA pulling an REA Refrigerator Car
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