1876 Western & Atlantic: General

Production: 1959 - 1962

History
The 1876 Western & Atlantic Mail-Baggage car is part of Lionel's General series passenger cars. The General series of passenger cars were the final all-new passenger car style produced by Lionel during the postwar era. All of the passenger cars in this series remain in demand as they are nicely detailed, have realistic exterior colors and are rather prototypical in their appearance.

This mail-baggage car was included in two Super O sets during its production cycle. Both of these outfits always included the 1872 General style steam locomotive as the choice of power to lead the outfit. Additionally, Lionel offered the 1876 as a separate sale item between 1959 and 1962.

As a final point of reference, Lionel also produced the 1866 Western & Atlantic Mail-Baggage car. The 1866 car was identical to the 1876, but marketed as an 027 gauge passenger car as it did not include interior lighting nor self-centering, functional couplers.

Features

Standard features on the 1876 mail-baggage car include: simulated wood exterior, yellow painted bodies, brown painted roof, molded brown frame and end railings, wire truss support braces on the base, eagle and flag side decal, frosted windows, plus dual smokestacks and dual ventilators on the roof. Lastly, a simulated brakewheel was added to each end railing, however, this appears to be inconsistent as many original examples exist without a brakewheel. Additionally, this passenger car include dual interior lights as well as self-centering, functional couplers.

Additional Detail, Photos & Box Information

Only Known Variation - Shown in first photo above - All 1876's have yellow bodies with brown roofs and brown end railings.

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