Lionel Lehigh Valley 6456 Enamel Red vs Maroon

That one in the auction looks to be maroon.  You can see the difference compared to the caboose next to it.  Do you already have a maroon one?

George

Found this site to help.  The auction one is definitely maroon.

http://tandem-associates.com/l...56-3e_hopper_car.htm

Thanks! I have a maroon, grey, and black of the 6456 hoppers, and then a modern era red and a yellow. I think I have found one of the Enamel Red with white lettering on eBay for a great price. 

Make sure its actually a glossy red car. Some of the photos appear or say red but are actually maroon cars. Ratty glossy red with white letters still go for high 3 figures and nice ones are in the 4 figure range. Yellow lettering go for much less.

Pete

Also, be careful about reproductions made by painting over and applying decals to cheaper versions.  The white lettering must be stamped.  Although, I would add a repro to my collection until I found an original; that just works for me and takes some stress off.  Then, I can tell people I show my collection to that it's a fake and I am looking for the original.

I think the one that I have found is the real deal. The seller has good feedback and is selling a few other Lionel products. They seem to know enough about the cars to sell, but not enough to understand the potential value of what they have.

Troy

Troy,

If you haven't already, I would ask the seller whether the car is maroon or glossy red.  Almost every pic I saw on eBay that looked red, was actually maroon.  Some said 'red', but they were not.  There were two yellow lettered reds, though.

George

What do you think about this one?  I just picked it up today.  The white lettering has aged a little and it needs cleaning.  If you are interested, send me an email.

Best,

George

George S posted:

What do you think about this one?  I just picked it up today.  The white lettering has aged a little and it needs cleaning.  If you are interested, send me an email.

Best,

George

George, 

Thanks! I didn't see your email on your profile... mine is tcr2300@gmail.com. Could you send a picture of the number beneath "BUILT I-40"?

Look forward to hearing from you,

Troy 

oscalerail posted:

George S posted:

What do you think about this one?  I just picked it up today.  The white lettering has aged a little and it needs cleaning.  If you are interested, send me an email.

Best,

George

George, 

Thanks! I didn't see your email on your profile... mine is tcr2300@gmail.com. Could you send a picture of the number beneath "BUILT I-40"?

Look forward to hearing from you,

Troy 

You are right, that says Built I-48  LIONEL 6476.  I guess that is the wrong one. 

My email is svobodag@yahoo.com.  Not sure why it isn't listed in my profile.

George

Even without being able to read the number, the plastic trucks give it away as not being the rare Red 6456.

Bill

WftTrains posted:

Even without being able to read the number, the plastic trucks give it away as not being the rare Red 6456.

Bill

 

Yep, that's what I get for stepping out of my element.  I should have known from the lettering.  I asked if it was white.  I was told it was faded. No, it is cream, which apparently is unique to the 6476.  I didn't pay too much though.

George:

Although most #6476 hoppers have plastic trucks, be advised that Lionel also made a #6476 Red LV Hopper with metal trucks and white lettering.

Bill

I pulled out one of my maroon hoppers, and it's original box says 6456 RED HOPPER CAR, so maybe in looking for the elusive "enamel red" hopper, I should look for a box that doesn't say red...

A majority of the ones that are offered on eBay are actually various shades of maroon.  The key is the finish MUST be Glossy, and not what are offered on most auction sites.  Pictures will not be a good source, and to tell if it is a bonafide RARE glossy red with White Letters is to have it in your hands and nothing less.  If it is offered by someone knowledgeable, you will most likely pay $three digit or more, depending on condition.  I have only found ONE, offered (too pricey for my wallet) in 10 years of looking.  The boxes marked as RED mean nothing as far as the true color of what is in the box.  Good luck searching, but don't expect to get lucky.