The Pennsylvania N5C Porthole Caboose No. 6417 was the first of these porthole cabooses that were manufactured. First available in 1953, production would continue until 1957. The couplers that were used on the bar-end trucks changed during this period of production. From 1953 until 1955 magnetic couplers were used, and in 1956 and 1957 the trucks were equipped with tabbed couplers.
The main variation occurred when Lionel manufactured a version that didn’t have the "NEW YORK ZONE" lettered underneath the number. See the close up above. This version was only available in set No. 2293W in 1957. Examples of this variation are considerably harder to find.
Two different boxes were used to house this caboose. The first issue has the number "6417" and later issues would have the number "6417-1" printed on the box ends. Note that the number on the sides of this caboose is "536417," the "53" is being used here to indicate the first year of production.
The Lionel Service Manual lists the body number as "6417-3," however, it was made with the number "6417-4" indicated on the inside of these bodies. There are two variations: |
|
|