I have four "obscure/rare" Lionel cars. Although modern and not hard to find (they're a bit uncommon but you'll find them more easily than you would a Jersey Central Trainmaster), there is a different reason all-together as to why I'd consider these items "rare/obscure".
- Pere Marquette Gondola W/ Two Cable Reels (SKU #81661): a breakup, in my collection, from the #81028 Marquette Freight Set. I'd consider this rare/obscure because, despite Lionel making Pere Marquette items before, this is the ONLY Pere Marquette Freight car in the Traditional Scale.
- Texas & New Orleans Tank Car (SKU #15065) and the Texas & New Orleans SP-Style Caboose (SKU #36675): two cars featured in the #30167 Southern Pacific Merger Set. These two cars are special to me because they are, currently, the ONLY T&NO items Lionel ever made, and one of the few O-Gauge T&NO Items in existence. The T&NO used to serve San Antonio, my hometown. As far as I know, K-Line has a Scale Hopper and Atlas-O made a scale Boxcar...I think.
- Central Pacific Stock Car (SKU #15064): Another freight car in the #30167 Southern Pacific Merger Set. This car is rare/obscure because I think it is the only item Lionel ever made with Central Pacific Markings. Lionel DID market a Scale Conventional 2-6-0 Mogul in Central Pacific markings, but I don't think it was ever made; or if it was there are no pictures of the actual product floating out there for me to use.
