Crane Cars & Searchlight Cars

The crane cars and searchlight cars were another addition to the prototypical specialty items offered by Lionel. The manually operated crane car and the sturdy searchlight car provided the highest play-value of any cars offered by Lionel. For example, using a crane car to fix a derailment on a model railroad layout -- especially at night with a searchlight car shining on a wreck -- created hours of fun.

Click on any of the entries in the chart listed below. You'll be presented with detailed information on the specific item. Every listing contains specific product data with a brief history of the item and at least one photo. Whether doing some serious reseach on model trains or simply taking a stroll down memory lane, take your time as you absorb the pages that follow. Some of you will view the exact trains you had while growing up, some will recognize the trains your parents had, others will discover startling facts about the glory years of a company that has become a piece of Americana.