Lionel #2454 Boxcar Oddity

[Lehigh Valley 2089]

Here is a #2454 boxcar that has a very weird marking.

See the dots to the upper left on the car? I'm wondering what those dots would mean.

[cwburfle]

Its hard to tell from a picture with certainty, but those dots look like they are raised to me. The Lionel markings are heat stamped. I'd guess that something dripped on the car.

[Lehigh Valley 2089]

cwburfle

Its hard to tell from a picture with certainty, but those dots look like they are raised to me. The Lionel markings are heat stamped. I'd guess that something dripped on the car.

They are indeed raised, but I think that they are a little more than drips to me. Why? They appear on the other side of the car by the ladder on the PRR logo end of the car. Same size and spacing.

[Curmudgeon]

Quite possibly a previous owner's marking of ownership. All the stuff I take to run at shows has a specific colour dot of paint on the underside. Those marks would be visible without turning the car upside down.

[baberuth73]

Also the "y" in "Baby" looks a little weird,too.

[Lehigh Valley 2089]

Fake maybe? Personally, I don't think so since it is heat stamped and has a few wear spots and dings and scratches. Also, the trucks seem to be worn to a reasonable amount. 

[Curmudgeon]

No, the "y" is like that on those cars.

[LL675]

yeah mine is like that as well.

[lionelsoni]

I notice that the one closer to the end of the car is slightly larger.  Is that also true on the other side?  Do the dots line up from side to side?  Is there anything unusual about the surfaces behind the dots inside the car?

[Lehigh Valley 2089]

I haven't checked the inside of the car, but the dot closer to the end is slightly larger than the other one. This holds true on the other side. They don't exaclty line up from side to side. The ones on the other side are on the end pannel.

[Lehigh Valley 2089]

Checked the inside of the car, and there's nothing out of the ordinary.