3620 Rotating Searchlight Car

Production: 1954 - 1956

History
The 3620 Rotating Searchlight Car is a follow-up freight car to the successful 3520 Rotating Searchlight car. The main difference is the 3620 does not have an on-off switch, while the 3520 does have an on-off switch. The 3620 continued to use Lionel's 'Vibro-motor' for the rotating searchlight lens.

The 3620 is slightly easier to locate compared to the 3520. The two main reasons being the production cycle lasted for an additional year and there is less demand for the 3620 because it lacks the on-off switch. Additionally, Lionel included the 3620 in six different sets over the three year production run; two being 027 gauge sets and four being O gauge sets.

Features
Standard features on the 3620 include: painted gray die-cast depressed-center frame with black lettering, vibration motor, metal footsteps at each corner, a simulated orange generator and a single brakewheel with brakestand. This car was always equipped with bar-end trucks and sans-serif lettering.

Additional Detail, Photos & Box Information

Molded Gray Searchlight Cover - Shown in the photo above - This is the common production version with a molded gray searchlight cover.

Orange Cover Painted Gray Searchlight Cover (Second photo above) - There was a small production run of searchlight cars with orange molded rotating searchlight covers painted gray. It is assumed these were produced for a brief period in 1955 -- and are very difficult to locate.

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