Product Overview
Condition: 7++ Original Box: 8 Year: 1957
Now available for sale is a one-year-only Jersey Central diesel freight set from 1957. This set is extremely unique in that it was purchased from the original owner and all indications are the set is an early production set, quite possibly a pre-production set (dating it to around the toy train expo held in February 1957). As you review the 35 photos above -- as well as the information below -- you'll see all components are from 1956 -- including the paperwork and set box! And best of all, the original owner handled this set with extreme care so everything in the set remains in fantastic condition. Finally, the set includes many of the original extras that are usually missing from complete boxed sets.
Regarding the condition of the freight cars, diesel switcher and all other components -- everything looks beautiful and easily graded at a 7++, with many items closer to condition 8 and even 8+! The exterior paint on each train is vibrant, the side lettering is crisp and the numbers and graphics are clean and complete.
As for the oddity of this set, all of the freight cars have bar-end trucks -- dating to 1956 production standards (the regular production version of set 1581 had most freight cars with AAR trucks). Additionally, the layout instructions, Service Station manual, Operating manual and billboards are all 1956 production items too. Lastly, the set box is a paper label with 1581 printed on the label -- indicating is most likely pasted onto a 1956 set box. All of these leading indicators -- as well as the purchase from the original owner -- imply production was in the very early portion of 1957 (generally Lionel began mass production of sets in March or April of any given year).
Below is a list of some interesting items within the set:
- The original box for the 6464-650 Roi Grande is complete and solid
- The 6560 crane car has the original box and original insert
- The autos on the 6424 flatcar were missing, so reproduction autos were included with this freight car
- The 1043 transformer is the correct 60 watt version for this set -- not the common 50 watt variation
- The shipping label has this set going to PO Box 413 in Keyport NJ
- As for the items missing in the set:
- The original box for the 611 diesel switcher is missing -- although the original inserts were saved (which is incredible as these inserts are almost always missing).
- The 6024 box car usually included an original box-- which is not included here
- All of the small individual cardboard packing inserts are missing
Don't miss out on this opportunity to purchase a clean, fully serviced and ready to run Lionel outfit that is complete with many of the hard-to-find extras! Given the oddities within this set -- it can easily be the centerpiece of your collection.
