Lionel 3472 Milk Car Questions

[Anonymous]

I am hoping those of you with mint 3472 Milk Cars can help me. I recently purchased a like new 3472 Milk Car outfit with the original box from about 1953. It is missing the liner and I would like to make one like the original so I can store this outfit properly. Is there anyone that can take a photo of an original so I can see how the items were packed? I found some pictures, so I know what the liner looks like, but I don’t think the items were packed correctly. Does the car or stand go where the two strips are cut and folded the opposite way? Also, dimensions would be helpful. The outfit I purchased came with 5 cans. Was this the norm? How were the cans packed? I have seen the small orange and blue boxes that contain 7 cans. Were these small boxes always included or were the cans sometimes packed in a different manner? I would appreciate any help anyone can give me on this matter.

[Blueberryhill RR]

mnkuklok...Welcome to the Forum !!!

I have a 3472 Milk Car and got it new back in 1949.

It came with 7 milk cans in a small orange/blue box.

I remember the liner, but don't have it anymore.

Sorry, I can't help further.
Chuck

[Chris F]

According to the Postwar books by Ambrose (Greenberg's) and Doyle, the 3472 came with 6 cans. Only the 3462 from 1947 came with 7 cans.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Chris F...........That's strange. My car says " 3472 " and it has always had 7 milk cans. It also has the aluminum colored doors.
Chuck

[ben10ben]

I read somewhere, although I forget where, that the number of cans varied from 5 to 7 with no particular pattern.

[jschmid]

mnkuklok,

The level of detail that you are asking for is exactly what collectors have been asking for years, i.e. "what do I need to ensure that I have a complete, component boxed item with all its peripherals?"

This is what we cover in our new book, the Authoritative Guide to Lionel's Postwar Operating Cars available at projectroar.com. This book was written by Joe Algozinni and Manny Piazza using authentic postwar Lionel documents. This fresh new research answers many questions that haven't been addressed in years....including the Milk Can one.

Specifically, on Lionel documents it states that it was their intention to provide only 7 milk cans until 1952, when they went to 5.

As for the liner, there is a picture on page 103 of the book. It's hard to described, but if you can't get a copy of the book, I could email you a pic of the insert. The book also contains the descriptions of the 4 different types of milk can boxes (only two of which could have come with the 3472). The one that came with the 3472 in 1953, we call it a Type III box, but specifically it is an Art Deco Box with Middle Classic design measuring 11/16" by 2 3/4" by 3/8" and "3462 and 3472" on box.

From the book, part of the listing for the 3472:

"The 3472 was component boxed with a car, a 3462P-1 platform, a 3462-70 box of magnetic milk cans, a 3462-101 corrugated liner and a 3472-11 instruction sheet. As per the 3462-70 listing, it came in a Type II or Type III style box. Seven milk cans were included until 1952, when it was Lionel’s intention to provide five. The instruction sheet included seven versions, dated: 2/49 or 11/49 (1949); 6/50 or 10/50 (1950); 11/51 (1951); 2/52 (1952) and 4/53 (1953)."

___

FYI, the meaning of all the suffixes isdescribed in detail in the book as well.

I hope this helps. Once again, you can find more information at projectroar.com.

John Schmid
Project Roar

[Anonymous]

Thank you John Schmid. This was exactly the information I was looking for. I will definitely have to get that book. Hmmmm.....maybe for my birthday. I wonder if my wife will get the hint ......?

[Anonymous]

Hello all, not to steel the thread but I have the Lionel 3672 Bosco operating car which is basically the same as the milk car. I got it new in 1961. I'm curious since you were discussing how many milk bottles came with the 3472 milk car, my bosco car has 8 bottles. Was this the normal amount for them? Any idea why they sold more bottles with the bosco car then the milk car? I'm wondering if I have all the bottles that came with my car. It still operates fine. Thaks for the intrusion into this thread.
George