6462 New York Central

Production: 1949 - 1958

History
The 6462 New York Central gondola has the distinction of being the first long gondola introduced by Lionel in the postwar era. This gondola was Lionel's answer to providing its customers with a longer and more scale-like gondola than previous offerings (for example the 2452 gondola). The 6462 experienced many common manufacturing changes during its long 10-year run. For that reason, we'll highlight the common variations along with a few of the more difficult ones to locate. Please note, not all 6462 variations are listed on this web page.

Features
The 6462 was introduced in 1949 as a top-of-the-line gondola with a great deal of detail in the body. Standard features included: painted body with white lettering, staple-end trucks with operating couplers, brakewheel, footsteps at all four corners and a set of six large unstained barrels.

As the production cycle evolved, so did the variations. Listed below are some of the more significant changes in year order:

• 1949 - Introduced as Lionel's premium gondola with six large unstained barrels.
• 1950 - Footsteps at all four corners were eliminated.
• 1951 - Bar-end trucks replaced the staple-end trucks.
• 1953 - Between 1950 and 1953, brakewheels were gradually eliminated. All 027 sets were the first to see the brakewheel eliminated. Next to see their demise were the separate sale gondolas and finally the O gauge sets.
• 1954 - Sometime during 1954, the six large unstained barrels were replaced with six smaller stained barrels. These stained barrels were the same barrels used on the operating barrel car.
• 1956 - This year saw a number of changes to the 6462. First, prior to 1956, the "N" (in the NYC lettering) began in the second panel. For 1956 and 1957, the "N" was moved to the third panel from the left. Secondly, painted gondolas started becoming obsolete (in either 1955 or 1956) and replaced with molded red or black gondolas.
• 1957 - Introduction of the 6462-500 Girl's gondola in pink. A very desirable car and difficult to find in collector condition.

The 6462 is a common gondola as it was available in numerous sets as well as being available for separate sale. Finding a 6462 gondola is easy, acquiring every variation will take time.

Additional Detail, Photos & Box Information
Most Lionel reference books categorize the 6462 NYC gondola based upon the color of the gondola. We've elected to remain consistent with that approach.

In addition to the color variations, the other predominate differences between gondolas is the location of the lettering. The 'N' in 'NYC' can begin in either the second or third panel.

Except for the pink gondola from the girl's set, none of the variations listed below can be considered rare or hard to fine. The length of these gondolas are approximately 10 1/2" long (coupler to coupler).

Black - Shown in first photo above - Almost all black gondolas are a painted variety. Some unpainted (molded black) ones do exist, but they are hard to locate. The black version is estimated to run from 1949 - 1956. All black gondolas have the 'N' in 'NYC' beginning in the second panel.

Red (Second & Third photo above) - Similar to the black gondolas, almost all red ones are a painted variety. Unpainted red gondolas do exist and are much more common than the unpainted black gondolas. The production cycle is estimated to run from 1950 - 1957 and the red gondola can be found with the 'N' in 'NYC' beginning in either the second or third panel. The second-panel version is from the 1950 - 1954 era while the third-panel version is from 1955 - 1957. The unpainted red gondola is from the end of the production cycle and includes the 'N' in 'NYC' in the third panel.

Green (Fourth & Fifth photo above) - All green gondolas are the painted variety, there are no molded green gondolas. The production cycle is estimated to be from 1954 - 1956, possibly into 1957. The common green gondola can be found with the 'N' in either the second panel and is estimated to have been manufactured between 1954 and 1955. For 1956, the green gondola had it's NYC lettering begin in the third panel -- similar to all other 6462 gondolas.

All green gondolas will command a premium compared to the other colors. However the green gondola with the NYC lettering starting in the third panel is very difficult to locate and those in collectable condition will command a higher premium versus the more common green gondola. Lastly, all green gondolas have their original box labeled 6462-25, sometimes with 'Green' printed on the end flap.

Pink (Sixth photo above) - The final color introduced to the 6462 gondola was pink -- and offered exclusively with the infamous Girl's Train of 1957. All pink gondolas are the painted variety having the 'N' in the third panel. Over the years, this gondola has become known as the 'Girl's Gondola.' The production cycle is estimated to only 1957 with excess inventory sold in 1958. This is a very desirable and hard-to-locate gondola.

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