The Minneapolis & St. Louis Vulcan Switcher No. 56 was available only one year in 1958 and is scarce. It was painted RED and WHITE on a RED body mold with RED heat-stamped lettering. The unit came with a 3-position E-unit and headlight lenses at both ends even though there is no interior light.

The side railings are painted WHITE and the end railings are chemically blackened and there are magnetic operating couplers at each end.

The same problem with the window struts exists on this engine as on the No. 51 Navy Yard Switcher. This engine was available for separate sale only and was never included as part of any set that Lionel produced.