what does the first number in the item number designate
for example
3-17170 vs 6-81142
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Well, in the recent past a "6" was used for "O" gauge items. A "4" was used for "S" gauge items. Your "3" number above escapes me-I can't remember if Lionel used that for their"G" gauge offerings or not...
I'm sorry, I'm not going to be of any help as I've always wondered that same thing. If you don't get any other answers, try getting in touch with Lionel and asking them, surely they should be able to tell you. 
Maybe a sale box composed of multiple items rather than one item?
3- is being used for LionScale items.
But that numbering system was replaced by a completely new system in 2018. Check the archives for the details.
Bill
Lionel new numbering system
Effective in 2019
-First two digits are the year of introduction.
-Next two digits are the primary marketing category, as listed in the chart below. (For example, 25 is track, 26 is full O scale rolling stock, 28 is O traditional rolling stock, 31 is full O scale steam locomotives, 32 is O non-scale steam locomotives, and 42 is Lionscale.)
-Last three numbers are the product stock number, which differentiates items that share the same first four numbers. (Road numbers are also included as separate stock items.)
For example, Lionel 1933151 or 152 (Wisconsin & Southern SD40-2 #4001 or #4003) is a 2019 introduction (19), full O scale diesel (33), with two different road numbers (stock no. 151 or 152).
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