3540 Radar Scanning Scope Car

Production: 1959 & 1960

History
The 3540 Radar Scanning Scope Car was produced for two years, 1959 and 1960. It is another creative example of Lionel designers and engineers using components from existing freight cars to create a new product. As the Radar car travels along the rails, the radar screen continually rotates while the operators screen is illuminated. Although this is an interesting concept, the freight car does not have a real-life equivalent.

Lionel included the Radar Scanning Scope flatcar in two sets; one in 1959 and a second in 1960. Both sets were sold as Super-O outfit and the 1959 set was lead by the 746 N & W steam locomotive while the 1960 out had the 2349 Northern Pacific as the lead locomotive.

Lastly, the 3540 is part of Lionel's "Space & Military" series. As with many of the items from that series, there are delicate parts that are prone to damage due to improper handling. For example, the revolving radar screen and dual-dish antenna are fragile and easily broken -- sometimes missing altogether. In addition, the rubber O-ring on the specially designed AAR truck is often lost or has melted. Locating a complete, all original Radar Car is a difficult task as few have survived intact.

Features
Standard features of the 3540 include: unpainted red flatcar with white lettering, gray superstructure, operating couplers, a specially designed AAR truck to operate the radar screen plus a brakewheel stand, metal brakewheel and four corner footsteps.

The gray superstructure included a radar screen that rotates as the car travels along the track, a yellow antenna with two rounds satellite dishes mounted on top, blue man plus a green illuminated screen.

Additional Detail, Photos & Box Information
The length of this flatcar is approximately 11 1/4" long (coupler to coupler).

Only Known Variation - Shown in first photo above - All 3540's have unpainted red flatcars with a gray superstructure mounted on top of the flatcar.

To purchase quality Lionel Flatcars with loads from our sponsors, click on either website:

Dave's Trains Inc.