6557 Lionel Smoking Caboose

Production: 1958 & 1959

History
The 6557 illuminated smoking caboose was catalogued for two years, 1958 and 1959. Always being the creative toy company, this caboose simulated a pot-belly stove keeping a crew warm and comfortable on a cold winters evening.

With the introduction of the colorful and top-of-the-line 6657 Rio Grande SP-type caboose during the previous year (1957), many believed it would be impossible to improve upon this caboose as it contained every premium feature for an SP-type caboose. However, Lionel and its team of innovators were up for the challenge! As Lionel had done for so many years in the past -- the premium SP-type caboose for 1958 contained yet another innovation in the toy train community never seen before -- actual smoke billowing from a caboose smokestack!

Most experienced collectors agree the 6557 smoking caboose -- as well as the 6657 Rio Grande caboose -- are the nicest SP-style caboose ever manufactured by Lionel during the postwar years. Because of the functional smoking unit, the 6557 is highly sought after in today's market. A clean, undamaged and operating 6557 is difficult to locate.

Features
Standard features on a 6557 include; a brown painted shell with white lettering, bar-end trucks with a single operating tab coupler, interior illumination, functional smoke unit, black metal frame and end-railings with one brakewheel.

Additional Detail, Photos & Box Information

Number Stamped on Left - Shown in the photo above - The common version of this caboose has the number stamped to the left and Lionel stamped to the right.
Number Stamped on Right - A very scarce variation exists with the number stamped to the right and Lionel stamped on the left.

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