@walt rapp - HA! Great humor Walt and SO TRUE!
Today as has been my ilk, I am going to go back a bit in time. In 1915 Lionel introduced "O" gauge and started production of the small four wheel freight and passenger cars. Over the years these came in four major groups and each group came in two sizes. The first group or "Early Cars" in the small size included the original 4 wheel cars which while they are interesting by comparison to later groups are rather plain. They were typically enameled in solid colors and the livery applied by rubber stamping. Today I am going to post a car from the second series of 4 wheel cars. This series was initiated about 1 century ago, in about 1923-24. This series ran from about 1923 to 1932 when the "650" series small cars with 8 wheels was introduced. OBTW - this first series of small 8 wheel cars was, more or less, the second series of small 4 wheel cars fitted with trucks.
So to today's post, honoring Tail End Tuesday, is the #807 caboose. A 4 wheel car from the second series. This was an unusual survivor in that it lasted in production until 1934 and actually was available uncatalogued until very late, 1942. Why? Only Lionel knows the true answer to that, but its likely that a small "bobber" type caboose was popular even with later series cars. In addition in 1932 the United States and the rest of the world was in the depths of the Great Depression. Thus the price point of the 4 wheel cars may have been more marketable than the 8 wheel in those days.
Although the 807 was first introduced in 1927, the version I have for you today, based on its trim details and colors, dates from about 1931. A key dating feature is the copper journals which were introduced in 1931 and lasted until 1934 when replaced with all nickel trim. In its earliest configuration, in 1927, the body was peacock in color (color of the roof of this version) but that was changed to red in 1928 and it stayed red the rest of the type's existence although trim colors changed.
So here for my T.E.T. post is the Lionel #807 caboose from about 1931.
Best wishes everyone, hope your week is going well
Don
https://youtube.com/@jdogaugemodeltrains522
