The Pennsylvania N5 Caboose No. 2472 was issued in O27 sets in 1946 and 1947 and it was a stripped down version of the No. 2457 that was issued with their O gauge sets.

This caboose was of all sheet-metal construction with the body that is painted semi-gloss RED and a BLACK chassis that did not have steps. It did have end hand rails, ladders, and staple-end trucks with one electronic coil coupler, but this caboose was not illuminated. Early issues would have rivet detail on the catwalks while later issues would be lacking this detail.

Note that the number "477618" is printed on the side of this caboose while the actual production number "2472" is rubber-stamped on the bottom of the chassis. There are five variations:

Variation A: Early 1946 issue with no forward or backward facing windows on the cupola, with "EASTERN DIV" lettering underneath "477618", Type 2 staple-end trucks.

Variation B: Same as Variation A except with Type 3a trucks with late coil coupler without stake marks. Late 1946 production.

Variation C: Same as Variation B except with Type 3b trucks with late coil coupler with stake marks. Late 1946

Variation D: Early 1947 production issue with no forward or backward facing windows on the cupola, no "EASTERN DIV" lettering, late coil coupler with stake marks.

Variation E: Cupola has forward and backward facing windows. This variation was probably caused by Lionel using up bodies that were made for the discontinued No. 2457. No "EASTERN DIV" lettering and late coil coupler with stake marks. Late 1947 production.