Lionel Postwar Trains With Suffix Letter 'X'

[Train-O]

Hi,

Can anyone explain what the suffix letter 'X' indicates after a car's numbers?

I've noticed this 'X' on most cars made around '46, '47 and there abouts.

Thank You,

Ralph

[phillyreading]

I think the letter X was used to indicate if the car had electric coil uncoupler on it verses a non-electric coupler, not 100% sure on that. Also just because it has the letter X does not mean it is worth more, that depends more on how many were produced and market demand for the item.

Lee F.

[3railguy]

I have a Milwaukee Road geep from 1955 with X marked on the box (2338-X). It does not have coil couplers. I've been told the "X" marks it went with a catologed set or came with a department store set. The latter I believe is hype.

Lionel made a 700EWX scale hudson in the 30's. The "X" designated drivers gauged and flanged to work on tubular track.

I have heard mixed stories about the "X" mark that conflict. It must of meant a lot of different things over the years.

[Train-O]

Thank You,

For your informative replys.

I've heard both and I'm still confused.

Ralph

[ivesboy]

 In the prewar years the x number was used to describe Regular production items with unusual caracteristics. For example the 1600 series frieghts when included in a DSS uncatalogued set lacked journals and the boxes were stamped with the car number followed by x. Example the 1679 boxcar would say 1679x box car for 0-27 track. They also used the x for a 3659 dump which lacked auto-couplers, as well as the 2812x gndola which had lower couplers to mate with 2600 series cars. The x never appeared on the car, only on the box.

Although i can say with certainty i am correct about the prewar x, i am a new student of postwar. It seems to me they used the x to denote changes in trim. the first 2454 boxcars of 46 wore only PRR markings, and to my knowledge carried only the 2454 number. Then the baby ruth logo was added along with an x. The 2452x gondola lacked steps and brakewheels in this case it denoted the O-27 model. The x6454 boxcars all shared a number with differing roadnames. I do not know if the position of the x as either a prefix or a suffix has any meaning.

Hope this helps! 

[Zephyrx]

I am certainly no prewar authority, but I do have some items including a tuscan PRR automobile box car labeled "x2758" to the lower left of the double doors on both sides.  As this car is on display shelving, I'm not sure whether I have the OB.  I could check if you are interested.       Tom Bell

[ADCX Rob]

Depends on whether it's on the box or the item.

 

The "x" is usually indicating a differentiation of some sort - like whether an item was a component of a set or not, or had brake wheels or not.  Some log or coal dump cars came separate sale and had to have the bin packed in the box with the car, but in a set they came in a smaller box and the bin was in the set box.

Or it was differentiating trim - tender with handrails, or not, or a different road name for a very similar item(like the 9" operating boxcars or the scout type boxcars).  It must have been confusing at times at Hillside, as sometimes the "x" meant an enhancement or extra, sometimes it meant a deletion or simplification, or it impacted how an item was packed.

I have never seen it denoting a coil vs. magnetic coupler.  This was done by catalog number, with few exceptions, when parts were being used up.

Rob

[ivesboy]

Ok, does anyone know the deal with the x2454/x6454 boxcars?

[mpzpw3]

Let me just say, I don't know if this correct or not. I was told by an old dealer one time that the "X" on a freight car designated that it came in a set. A seperate sale item, that was not cataloged with a set, didn't have the "X". I don't know...

[Train-O]

Thanks To All,

I'm not sure and I may be wrong of what the X designates, but I feel over time Lionel used it according to various changes in their productions through the years.

I feel that whatever their initial coding system was to be used for, changed to indicate something else, as they saw fit.

Ralph

[mongo6407]

I have a Lionel 2026X locomotive.  I cannot find any information about it, but I found an auction for one from 2005 that ended with a price of $1650.  Does anyone know what the rarity of the locomotive is?  It appears to have the boiler front of a 675 mated to the drive of a 2026.  I'm wondering if this was a Lionel mashup of parts that they had lying around in the 1950's to make a specific set.