Lionel's Current SKU Numbering System

first 2 digits year cataloged, prior to that there were 6-83 and 84 numbers (2017-2018), and prior to that 6-38, 6-28, 6-18

19xxxxx 2019

20xxxxx 2020

21xxxxx  2021

As an example 6-84251- a random number  guessed http://www.lionel.com/products...motive-4103-6-84251/

• Most Recent Catalog: 2017 Ready-to-Run Catalog

6-83251 http://www.lionel.com/products...h-sweep-car-6-83251/

• Most Recent Catalog: 2016 Lionel Volume 2 Catalog

6-85321 http://www.lionel.com/products...ractor-load-6-85321/

• Most Recent Catalog: 2018 C1 Big Book

6-82313 http://www.lionel.com/products...k-car-55989-6-82313/

• Most Recent Catalog: 2015 Lionel Volume 2 Catalog

6-81423 http://www.lionel.com/products...cars-2-pack-6-81423/

• Most Recent Catalog: 2016 Lionel Ready-to-Run Catalog

So I was slightly off on the middle years. That said 81 numbers from 2016 kind of jumps around.

Oops, left out the 11 series, 6-11xxxxx, mostly in my experience early legacy.

6-11451 http://www.lionel.com/products...motive-1225-6-11451/

• Most Recent Catalog: 2014 Lionel Christmas Catalog

6-11116 http://www.lionel.com/products...rn-grey-844-6-11116/

• Most Recent Catalog: Lionel Signature Catalog 2009

Put another way, it's all over the place. Other than some trends, there are exceptions all over.

Vernon, that's one of the best explanations I've seen on Lionel's numbering "system".  Great Info!

@Vernon Barry posted:

first 2 digits year cataloged, prior to that there were 6-83 and 84 numbers (2017-2018), and prior to that 6-38, 6-28, 6-18

19xxxxx 2019

20xxxxx 2020

21xxxxx  2021

Appreciate the reply.

I have catalog numbers that run the gambit(?) from 6-nnn through 6-39nnn; then skips to 6-52nnn (these are primarily "specialty" items for Lionel-related organizations) thru 6-58nnn; one 6-2nnnn; then starts at 6-81nnn thru 6-85nnn.

I also have some 3-1nnnnn (these are LionScale items).

Then starts over at 18nnnnn and forward.

Thanks to all who replied.

@SteveH posted:

Vernon, that's one of the best explanations I've seen on Lionel's numbering "system".  Great Info!

Now mostly, I also focus on steam so the above system got me in the ballpark for the last couple of years and most stuff I own. Diesels do take a different number range- example 6-18xxxx in a diesel, I half expect to be maybe a pulmor AC motor, VS a 6-28 might jump right up to being an early legacy- not just can motored Odyssey.

I can add a few bits to the data base. In the new numbering system I have items from 19 through 22 as the first two catalog year digits. The third digit for all my S gauge rolling stock is a "1", and it is a "2" for all the S gauge powered items (engines and hand cars.) Beyond the third digit I do not see a pattern.

In the old system, all S gauge items are numbered beginning with 6-4xxxx. The third digit can be anywhere from 0 through 9, and again there seems to be no pattern, either catalog year or type of equipment.