Lionel 3562 Operating Barrel Car 1954-58
Lionel introduced the operating barrel car in 1952 to go with the 362 barrel loader. The first color was black and numbered 3562-1. That’s the rarest version of this postwar car.
After a small production of black cars, Lionel changed the color of the barrel car to gray and renumbered it as the 3562-25. The gray one is shown above. Gray cars come with or without tabs to fix the man in place. The tab was added to barrels from falling off. There is no difference in value, but cars with tabs run better. All barrel cars after 1954 have tabs.
In 1955 the color changed again, this time to yellow. The yellow barrel car is Lionel’s number 3562-50. Yellow cars come in painted and unpainted versions. Neither is harder to find, but collectors will pay a slight premium for like new and mint painted versions.
In 1957 the color changed again. This time to orange with the number 3562-75. Orange is the most common color.
The two rubber tabs shown in the foreground of the photo of the gray car are spacers that go between the 362 barrel loader and the track.
Lionel 3562-50 ATSF Oper. Barrel Car O Gauge ORIG. BOX | US $15.50 (2 Bids) End Date: Saturday May-10-2008 15:49:00 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
Lionel 3562-25 ASTF Operating Barrel Car
 | US $15.50 (10 Bids) End Date: Saturday May-10-2008 18:21:20 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
927: Lionel 3562-75 barrel, 3361 lumber car, OB
 | US $30.00 End Date: Saturday May-10-2008 19:00:00 PDT Add to watch list |
1083: Lionel 3562-50 yellow barrel loading car, OB
 | US $40.00 End Date: Saturday May-10-2008 19:00:00 PDT Add to watch list |
LIONEL 3562 OPERATING BARREL CAR WITH BARRELS
 | US $10.51 (3 Bids) End Date: Saturday May-10-2008 20:07:11 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
