Since there is not a Greenberg's Lionel Guide for after 1995 I have been reviewing Lionel Catalogs I have after that date. I have to give modern Lionel credit for making several interesting and different cars and engines. I am finding the Lionel Catalogs pictures very good and the descriptions much more complete than the Greenberg's Lionel Guides.
I found a Lionel M-497 Jet powered Rail Car in the 2010 Vol. 1, Signature Edition pg. 82.
The original M-497 experimental jet powered rail car was made from a Bud Rail Diesel Car (RDC) with two GE J47 jet engines installed on the top front. The front was streamlined and painted black. It was called the Black Beetle. It actually ran and hit 183 mph on July 23, 1966 NYC tracks between Toledo, OH and Butler, ID. It proved to noisy and had poor fuel economy.
Lionel's model was priced at $299.99 in 2010. I think the M-497 would make interesting rail car to model making from a junk passenger car, with jet engines made from balsa wood on the top. It could be set on a junk diesel engine frame and motor. Time to scout out the junk boxes under some tables at train shows.
Does anybody have a Lionel M-497 Jet powered Rail Car?
Charlie
So did vintage AMT / Auburn I think.
