6660 Boom Crane Car

Production: 1958

History
The 6660 Boom car was only manufactured for a single year and is somewhat hard to find these days -- especially complete and not damaged. Many people believe this was Lionel's version of their crane car for 1958 -- which is incorrect. Lionel did continue to produce a crane car in the late 1950's, but under the number 6560.

Although a boom and crane car resemble each other, the boom car is a somewhat unique looking freight car with a slightly different purpose. On real railroads, a boom car is generally coupled to a gondola, flatcar or work caboose and designed for easier and quicker maneuverability of smaller, lighter weight items. Conversely, crane cars are built with heavy-duty hydraulic lifts and counterweights to tackle larger, heavier or more size-able items.

Lastly, Lionel included the 6660 Boom car in only one 027 freight set in 1958. It was led by the hard-t-find 613 NW2 diesel switcher.

Features
The 6660 Derrick car has the following standard features: unpainted red flatcar with white lettering, AAR trucks with two operating couplers, a yellow boom with metal hook plus a brakewheel stand and brakewheel.

Also included -- which differentiates this car from the 6670 -- is a steel base which attaches the manually rotating boom to the flatcar. Also included on this steel base are two movable and functional outriggers.

Additional Detail, Photos & Box Information
This is one of only a select few postwar items produced for a single year, yet there are two different box variations. The earlier Late Classic version is harder to locate compared to the Bold Classic box.

Only Known Variation - Shown in first photo above - All are unpainted red with white letters and a yellow boom assembly.

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