Well I agree with Larry, Tuesday seems to roll around fast...and its nearly 1830 out here on the frontier! So I thought I would post a late entry (as opposed to the early one last week - 
) Now on 1/18 I posted the Lionel # 2457 Penn N5 Post War caboose from 1945-47. We commented then that this was a carry-over from the prewar model and the main differences were that it was red not tuscan and had postwar trucks and couplers. So today, I would like to show you a PRE-War model of the sheet metal PRR N5 caboose, which in fact was two models. A "deluxe" version # 2757 with a body much like the post war model. It had window frames, interior lights and a stack, although it was tuscan not red. I don't have that one, so here is the "base model" PRR sheet metal N5 caboose or the # 2672 caboose from 1942.
Note the economy touches...no window frames, no illumination and the end windows in the cupola are not punched out. Still all sheet metal though with lots of rivet detail and metal ladders and brake wheels. It does have black journals and frame and one "automatic " box coupler. These last touches represent just about Lionel's last pre-war attempt at greater realism. 1945 would bring large changes for sure but that was years in the future when she was new on the rails.
Note the latest version of the pre war Lionel "automatic" coupler with the knuckle and coupler pin simulated on the top of the coupler box.
Well that's my "tail end" for today. Have a great week everyone! Larry - loved that "R J Corman" caboose, had not seen that before. By the way, this caboose was likely one of Lionel's best PRR cabin cars of both the pre and post war period, all sheet metal and metal trim, it far exceeded some of the mostly plastic cars that came later and especially that came in some of the early MPC offerings. However I don't know how close to prototypical it really was. CAPPilot and PRRonbh you guys are the real PRR experts, what do you say? Great pictures everyone. Thanks for posting.
Best Wishes
Don
