6346 Alcoa

Production:  1956

History
The 6346 Alcoa Aluminum is a one year only item from 1956 and one of only a handful of covered hoppers produced by Lionel. Being a one-year-only item and having a silver painted body -- which has generally faded with handling and age -- this is a hard item to locate in collectable condition.

Lionel had an above average effort in promoting the Alcoa hopper in their catalogued sets in 1956. It was included in two 027 gauge freight sets and one O gauge freight set.

Features
Standard features on the 6436 hopper include: silver painted body, blue lettering, bar-end ] trucks with two operating couplers, brakewheel, plus a stick-on Alcoa Aluminum emblem on each side. There are no spreader bar holes on this hopper. The actual number printed on the side of the hopper is '643656'.

The cover for the hopper is also painted silver to match the hopper. It contains 12 opening hatches. These hatch lids are fragile and prone to damage or breakage.

Additional Detail, Photos & Box Information

Blue Lettering - Shown in first photo above - The common version.
Red Lettering - There reportedly is a red lettered version. If so, it would be a rare item.
Black Lettering - There reportedly is a black lettered version. If so, it would be a rare item.

To purchase quality Lionel Coal & Hopper Cars from our sponsors, click on either website:

Dave's Trains Inc.