The Animated Gondola Car No. 3444 is often referred to as the "Cop and Hobo Car." This has led to some confusion with the Cop and Hobo Box Car No. 3357.

The cop would chase the hobo around the crates located in the center of the gondola by use of a vibrator motor. The figures are attached to a 16 mm film that uses sprockets that are attached to the motor. The motor could be turned off and on by the use of a switch controlled by a lever located on top of the crates. Available from 1957 until 1959, this car came with bar-end trucks that sometimes had tabbed couplers, and it showcased the ingenious creativity of Lionel’s designers. There are no known variations.

Included with this car was an instruction sheet numbered 3444-33 that was dated 5-57. Pictured below is the front page of this sheet.