Lionel’s 75th Anniversary Commemorative Train Set arrived in stores in 1975. Fundimensions, a division of General Mills that was overseeing production and merchandising of Lionel trains, then created an outstanding and very colorful diesel freight set consisting of nine pieces to honor the grand heritage of Lionel.
Lionel is, of course, about to celebrate its 125th anniversary. Great things surely are in store for toy train enthusiasts Perhaps another eye-catching O gauge train set — or possibly a few of them — awaits Lionel operators and collectors.
Whatever is released this year or next, that train will have a long way to go before it can eclipse its 50-year-old predecessor when it comes to looking terrific and enlightening consumers about the history of the esteemed toy train producer.
Nothing like it
The year 1975, only 12 months prior to the extraordinary celebration held to commemorate the nation’s bicentennial, stood out in the long and momentous history of Lionel. Seventy-five years had passed since Joshua Lionel Cohen and Harry Curtis Grant had filed a notarized certificate that the Lionel Manufacturing Company was conducting business at 24 Murray Street in New York City. The business would, according to that document, manufacture “electrical novelties.”
And, with occasional exceptions in the 1930s and 1960s, the firm had thrived ever since. During the latter decade, declining sales had led to a major change. General Mills had acquired the rights to make and market Lionel trains. Five years after releasing its first line in 1970, the leadership of the division in charge of the train line was weighing how to profitably mark the 75th anniversary.
Never before had decision-makers at Lionel done what was obvious — develop a unique set and promote the bejesus out of it to improve the bottom line. Not even in 1950, when the Lionel Corp. had celebrated its golden anniversary, had engineers and marketers joined forces to bring out a unique O or O-27 set.
To be sure, the product line for 1950 did include a brand-new O-27 diesel passenger train decorated in a bold shade of yellow some observers imagined to be gold. Was outfit No. 1464W to be lauded as the great Lionel anniversary set?
Sorry to say but no. The reason the Alco FA diesels and the streamlined cars were yellow was because Lionel had decorated them for the Union Pacific. That famous railroad painted its cars in a rich shade known as Armour Yellow.
Fortunately, the individuals supervising production of the Lionel line for General Mills decided to make up for the missed opportunity in 1950 with a set. To celebrate the 75th anniversary, they created a unique freight set consisting of brand-new models whose decoration celebrated landmark innovations. Images of noteworthy locomotives and accessories, transformers and track would be shown on the rolling stock, along with the various corporate logos used since 1900.
Front and back
Set No. 1585 was one of 16 cataloged sets released by Fundimensions in 1975. The O gauge outfit consisted of a locomotive, seven freight cars, and a porthole caboose. It didn’t included a transformer or any sections of track.
The No. 7500 Lionel 75th Anniversary General Electric U36B road diesel led the way. The year before, engineers at Fundimensions had announced an O gauge replica of the U36B; the hefty model was their first diesel whose design had not been derived from something Lionel had built during the postwar era.
The eye-catching locomotive used a Type 1 body shell decorated in a striking anniversary scheme of red, silver, and black with “1900-1975” on the cab, along with a black stamped-metal frame. Other features included a three-position reverse unit and an operating knuckle coupler installed at each end.
Looking at the end of the train we catch a glimpse of the No. 7508 N5c caboose. It came decorated in silver and red to match the regal road diesel. A key distinguishing mark was the round 75th anniversary emblem on each side. Other fine details ranged from Symington-Wayne trucks to the one operating coupler.
Boxcars
Nice as the U36B locomotive and porthole caboose unquestionably are, the seven freight cars deserve credit for adding tremendous interest and value to set 1585. They serve as a primer on the history of America’s greatest producer of electric toy trains. Emblazoned across their sides are illustrations of innovations.
Let’s consider first the three boxcars. All of them used a Type IX body shell typical of items in the No. 9700 series of near-scale boxcars. Each member of the neat trio came with Symington-Wayne trucks and two operating couplers. In addition, the round 75th anniversary logo was affixed to the left of the doors.
The No. 7501 had a blue body and silver ends and roof with white lettering. The car was decorated with images focusing on Joshua Lionel Cowen and the earlier sorts of equipment that his business had produced and marketed.
The No. 7505 had a silver body and red ends and roof with black lettering. Pictured on the sides were landmark pieces of rolling stock and great accessories.
The No. 7506 had a green body and gold ends and roof with white lettering. Miniature catalog covers from prewar and postwar eras appeared.
Refrigerator cars
Let’s turn next to the three refrigerator cars. All of them used a body shell typical of items in the No. 9800 series of near-scale reefers. Each member of the trio came with Symington-Wayne trucks and two operating couplers. In addition, the popular round 75th anniversary logo was affixed to the upper left of each side.
The No. 7502 had a yellow body and blue ends and roof. Multiple-color electrocals depicted key innovations of various kinds, including three-rail track, a type-ZW transformer, Magne-Traction, and a whistle. There was no built date.
The No. 7503 had an orange body and brown ends and roof. Multiple-color electrocals showcased an assortment of famous locomotives: 4-6-4 Hudson steamer, GG1 electric, and F3 and Train Master diesels. There was no built date.
The No. 7507 had a white body with blue ends and roof. Multiple-color electrocals presented corporate logos used since 1900. There was no built date.
Hopper is last
The seventh and final piece of rolling stock packed in the 1585 set was an 11-inch-long covered quad hopper. Anyone acquainted with the roster of freight cars cataloged by Lionel during the 1950s and ’60s would have recognized that the 75th Anniversary Hopper was based on a well-known postwar design.
The No. 7504 had a dark blue body and a red cover. It came equipped with Symington-Wayne trucks and two operating couplers; it lacked a builder’s plate. The multiple-color electrocals depicted noteworthy operating accessories from the late prewar and early postwar period. The round 75th anniversary logo could be seen at the upper left of each side. No built date had been added to the model.
Final thoughts
Lionel’s 75th Anniversary Commemorative Train Set had plenty going for it. Too bad consumers proved indifferent to the colorful contents and decorative elements saluting the company’s illustrious past. The 1585 failed to sell out in 1975, so Fundimensions put it back in the cataloged lineup for 1976 and ’77.
Modern-era enthusiasts as well as Lionel historians have shown more appreciation for the locomotive and rolling stock since then. The set has held its own in value, with the latest edition of Greenberg’s Pocket Price Guide to Lionel Trains putting an example in excellent condition at $192 and a mint one at $239.
