6464 LIONEL WP BOXCAR, 53-54 (A) BLUE LETTERING

Collectors have identified over several hundred variations on these cars from different door types and rivet patterns on the sides, to the color of the paint and plastic that Lionel used in their manufacture. It is beyond the scope this identification guide to list all of these variations. We will, however, show you some of the major ones, along with a few of the production errors that occurred, so you’ll have an idea of what you’re getting into should you decide to collect these variations.

All of the very early 6464 cars came with Single-block doors. However, in 1955 to accommodate the paint scheme of the new No. 6464-275 State of Maine car, Lionel developed the Multi-block door.

Single block doors would continue be seen on these cars through 1957 as Lionel used up existing stock. Multi-block doors would then be used on these cars for the remainder of the post-war period.

The first three columns are incomplete at the top. Column  is also broken at the bottom.

First seen in 1954. Columns   and  are broken near the top as in Type I. Column  has three rivets at the top and two at the bottom. All of the rivets in Column  have been removed. There are two versions of Type II which have to do with lines on the roof. See below for sub-types.

Production started on this type sometime in late 1958. Four rivets down from the top in Column  there is a break. In Column  has there are only three rivets at the top and two at the bottom. Column  has a break near the top. There are only two rivets at the top and the bottom in Column . Type III has visible interior roof ribs.

This type was produced starting in 1960. Same as Type III, but Column  has only three rivets at top and two at the bottom. Type IV also has interior roof ribs.