The Derrick Platform No. 462 was "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue." While we can’t account for the "blue" in this old bridal saying, the rest certainly applies to this accessory. Lionel frequently used parts from other existing accessories and employed them on new productions. This was never more evident than in the Derrick Platform Set.

The canisters are from the No. 6805 Atomic Waste Disposal Car, the boom for the derrick is derived from the No. 6660 Derrick Flat Car which inherited it from the No. 3360 Burro Crane, and the platform is modified from the No. 460 Piggyback Transportation Set.

The platform was changed to eliminate the depressions that were used for the trailers and a hole was drilled to mount the derrick. Unlike the No. 460, or the later issued No. 461, Lionel would paint the top and sides of this platform TAN. Three hand cranks were installed to move the canisters about the platform.

The No. 6805 flat car could not be used with this accessory because the crane does not have the lift to remove these canisters from the car’s rails that were used to power the lights in the canisters on this car. The canisters that came with this set have the lights removed, and are GRAY in color with heat-stamped lettering that differs from those used on the No. 6805, which are TAN in color. The No. 462-13 canisters came with a bail handle for the hook on the boom to grab, making this part one of the few original components that were used.

All examples are found in an ORANGE and BLACK labeled box. The instruction sheet, No. 462-26 dated 10-61 leaves a lot to be desired and only shows how to unpack the boom and lock it in position for use. It does not show how to operate this accessory. A picture of this instruction sheet is shown below.

No car came with the Derrick Platform. The best car for loading these canisters is a gondola car. But the canisters barely fit in the standard Lionel gondolas of the time and can be a real challenge to load.

While no more thrilling to operate than the No. 460, this may account for the short production period of only two years, 1961 and 1962, making this platform relatively difficult to find today. There are no variations.