2432, 2434, 2435 & 2436 Streamline: Clifton, Newark, Elizabeth & Summit or Moosehart

Production:  1954 - 1958

History
The 2432 Clifton vista-dome, 2434 Newark pullman, 2435 Elizabeth pullman and either the 2436 Moosehart or Summit observation passenger cars are simply updated versions of 2421, 2422, 2423 and 2429 passenger cars offered by Lionel in the early 1950s. However, in an effort to dress-up or modernize this passenger set, Lionel created a Vista-Dome passenger car as part of the set. This new Vista-Dome car -- the 2432 Clifton -- was Lionel's first short series vista-dome passenger car produced in the postwar era.

During the five year production run, Lionel offered a total of ten different passenger sets with these red lettered passenger cars. In addition to both steam and diesel outfits, Lionel created two, three and four car sets. Needless to say, there was a set for everyone's preference. In addition to boxed sets, the passenger cars were also offered as a separate sale items. Most experienced collectors believe production of these cars ended in 1958 with leftover inventory being catalogued and sold in 1959.

As with most silver painted items from the postwar era, the silver paint is easy to nick, mark or scratch. Clean examples are hard to find and will command a premium in the marketplace. 

Lastly, the three names on the passenger cars are a bit of an anomaly compared to the streamline passenger cars sets produced in the early to mid 1950's.

• First, the 2432 Clifton, 2434 Newark and 2435 Elizabeth are all towns located near Lionel's New Jersey corporate office and manufacturing facility in the 1950's.This naming convention follows the pattern on all earlier streamline passenger sets.
• However, the 2436 observation car is a bit interesting. For the first three years, the 2436 Summit -- like the other three cars -- was named after a town near the New Jersey office. For 1957 & 1958, Lionel kept the 2436 number but changed the name to Moosehart. To this day, it remains a mystery as to Lionel's connection to the name Moosehart - especially since there is no city within the state of New Jersey having that name!

Features
Standard features on the red lettered passenger cars include: painted silver bodies with red lettering, silhouetted window strips, die-cast passenger car trucks with operating couplers plus interior illumination.

Additional Detail, Photos & Box Information

Only Known Version - Shown in first photo above - All red lettered cars are painted silver with red lettering.

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