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Oddity- Lionel 2472 Caboose with Illumination? Seeking Details.

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  • Member since
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Oddity- Lionel 2472 Caboose with Illumination? Seeking Details.
Posted by tch1213 on Sunday, November 10, 2013 1:14 PM

Hi CTT,

I've had a few pieces of Postwar Lionel rolling stock for some time, and recently was doing some research on them before looking into the possibility of having them restored. One of these pieces is a 2472 Pennsylvania caboose, which I read was not illuminated; my example, however, is. Although the stamped number has been partially destroyed, I am certain it is not a 2457 caboose, as it lacks the extra detail parts the 2457 has. I have therefore concluded that this may have been a dealer modification after sale, but am curious to see if there are any other known illuminated samples of the 2472. Thanks!

Apologies for the poor quality, but here you can see the partially damaged product number, as well as the wiring for the lighting.

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Posted by rtraincollector on Sunday, November 10, 2013 3:22 PM

My bet modified by either dealer or indivual as it only had one coil coupler also. yours shows both ends even thou the shoe is missing fromt the truck with the pick-up so to change it isn't that hard as I believe its just a U clip inside the caboose so you take the top off and change the truck and add a light and a way to mount it. Sorry its not a rare item in my guess I would say an alteration probably by someone who owned it in the past if your family maybe your father

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

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Posted by daves92camaro on Sunday, November 10, 2013 3:36 PM

how does it look at night? curious because i might do it to one of mine

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Posted by ADCX Rob on Sunday, November 10, 2013 6:24 PM

That's a home brew.  Wrong bulb bracket, bolted to the bottom of the frame, and wrong truck plate for a single coupler car. 

This is easy to do by just prying the truck sides open, removing the axles, and substituting the bottom roller plate for the plain plate.  No need to remove the truck from the car.

Rob

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Posted by tch1213 on Sunday, November 10, 2013 8:00 PM

Rob and rtrain: Thanks for your help; I assumed it was custom, but thanks for your verification.

Dave: Here's a night shot for you.

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Posted by riverrailfan on Sunday, November 10, 2013 11:07 PM

I'll try and find mine and take a picture of it. I have one of these to. Infact mine has  windows in it.

 

I went through the same thing where it is not listed as lighted

 

Found it.

 

 

Photo088 Photo090

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Posted by cwburfle on Monday, November 11, 2013 6:43 AM

Sorry to write that the second caboose pictured isn't factory either.

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Posted by riverrailfan on Monday, November 11, 2013 7:22 PM

I never suspected to be factory. I was more surprised to see another like the one I have. Someone went through the trouble to install the windows in mine.

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Posted by cwburfle on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 4:13 AM

I think adding lights was a popular upgrade.

Among the odd ball items in my collection is a small package containing a complete collector truck wired with a light socket. It was put together by a local hobby shop, probably in the late 1950's.

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Posted by daves92camaro on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 8:43 AM

now since we just had our first snow fall...i guess its time for me to start some projects....one of those will prob be one of them.....instead a bulb it will prob be an led...and i will figure out a way of putting windows in it

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Posted by riverrailfan on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 1:40 PM

daves92camaro

now since we just had our first snow fall...i guess its time for me to start some projects....one of those will prob be one of them.....instead a bulb it will prob be an led...and i will figure out a way of putting windows in it

 

I was thinking the same thing. It looks like the 2457 was designed to remove the socket from the bottom to replace the bulb. Mine you have to remove the body. I really don't want to break the metal tabs off to repeatedly replace the bulb.

 

Possibly you can find the windows for 2457 as a repo part.

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Posted by TRAINCAT on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 8:06 PM

The 2472 never had window inserts or lighting. The top had only windows on the side, not front and back.

Roger

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