THE PROGRESSION OF THE CHANGES TO THE No. 6511 – 2 AND THE No. 6424 – 11 MOLDS
The 11 inch flatcar debuted in 1953 with the 6511. It had metal bar-end trucks mounted on cast plates which mounted to the 6511-2 body mold using slots at each end and a screw through the deck. There were 13 metal stakes mounted in 13 stake holes. The brake wheel stand provided the 14th support, so no stake hole was initially open near it. The cast plates with some under-body detail were quickly replaced with sheet metal ones. For 1956, when the 6424 auto carrier was introduced, an almost identical mold was created numbered 6424-11. Also utilizing the metal truck plates, the main difference was that, initially, only two stake holes were open on diagonally opposite corners. The reason for this is unclear. Circa 1958, the metal trucks and plates were replaced with AAR plastic trucks riveted directly to the body. This change involved filling in the end slots and spot where the mounting screw had gone and adding bosses for the truck rivets. Changes to both molds came about as new uses with differing needs were introduced. For example, on the 6264 Fork lift car, introduced in 1957, even before the metal plates were eliminated, the 14th stake hole had to be opened to accommodate the mounting pin on the lumber stand. For the 6805 Radioactive Waste car introduced in 1958, the 6424-11 mold, now with riveted trucks and now also 13 stake holes, had to be further modified by adding 4 larger, rectangular holes in the center of the deck. These were needed for powering the two rails on the deck. Additionally, “End stops” were added where the old slots on each end had been. The 4 center holes remained with the 6424-11 mold for the rest of the postwar era. The “end stops” appeared on some of the 6424 Auto Carriers produced that year, then disappeared for the duration of the postwar era. One modification whose purpose remains a mystery is the “rail extensions” found on only a few cars. These are short extensions of the four middle support rails on the sides where “LIONEL” is stamped. They appear around 1960 on such cars as the 6343, 6430, 6469, 6819, 6820, 6827, 6828 and 6844. Of these, the 6343, 6469, 6820 and 6828 seem to only have been made with the extensions, while the others came with different variations as well. So far, all of the cars identified with rail extensions are the 6424-11 mold with the 4 center holes and only two stake holes open in opposite corners. Also, for the 6424-11 mold, it appears that the 14th stake hole was never opened. Given the modifications made to these molds over their time, and that some of the same numbered cars were produced for multiple years, as well as having been made with both the 6511-2 and 6424-11 mold, and in various shades of red as well as black; it should not be surprising that some of those cars exist with several variations. Add to that the fact that the car number was sometimes stamped on the right and other times on the left, and there can be over a dozen possible variations for a given car. Fortunately, many of them actually appear to have only one, and the most identified so far is six. Included in that are a few that were produced with the metal plates but having AAR trucks instead of the bar-end metal ones. Finally, the 3419-30 mold, found on the helicopter cars is a 6511-2 mold with an insert put in, the bottom part of the mold was replaced with the plain insert number 3419-30 and it always had just two stake holes open for the tail support and either one or two slots for the launch mechanism.
by Lyle Leverich
A Checklist of known types is at the end of this page
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THE No. 6511 – 2 MOLD
THE DESCRIPTION AND CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER BEGIN RIGHT BELOW
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No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 1
No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 2
No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 3
No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 4
No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 5
No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 6
No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 7
No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 8
No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 9
No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 10
No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 11
No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 12
No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 13
No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 14
THE No. 6424 – 11 MOLD
THE DESCRIPTION AND CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER BEGIN FURTHER DOWN THE PAGE, PLEASE CLICK OR SCROLL DOWN.
No. 6424 – 11 MOLD TYPE 1
No. 6424 – 11 MOLD TYPE 2
No. 6424 – 11 MOLD TYPE 3
No. 6424 – 11 MOLD TYPE 4
No. 6424 – 11 MOLD TYPE 5
No. 6424 – 11 MOLD TYPE 6
No. 6424 – 11 MOLD TYPE 7
No. 6424 – 11 MOLD TYPE 8
No. 6424 – 11 MOLD TYPE 9
No. 6424 – 11 MOLD TYPE 10
No. 6424 – 11 MOLD TYPE 11
No. 6424 – 11 MOLD TYPE 12
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE VARIATIONS OF THE No. 6511 – 2 MOLD
THE No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 1
the two screws that go through the deck and threaded into the diecast detailed truck mounting plates
the two detailed mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck
there are 13 stake holes open in the deck, the one next to the brake stand is not
the diecast mounting plates with details for mounting the bar end trucks to the car body
THE No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 2
the two screws that go through the deck and threaded into the truck mounting plates
the two smooth mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck
there are 13 stake holes open in the deck, the one next to the brake stand is not
the smooth flat steel mounting plates for mounting the bar end trucks to the car body
THE No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 3
two screws that go through the deck and threaded into the truck mounting plates
the two smooth mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck
there are 14 stake holes open in the deck, the one next to the brake stand is now open
the smooth flat steel mounting plates for mounting the bar end trucks to the car body
THE No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 4
2 operating early AAR trucks riveted directly to shell
without mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck, the four repair areas can be seen to be smooth without any cross hatch pattern
there are 14 stake holes open in the deck, the one next to the brake stand is now open
the 2 holes for the truck mounting plate have been removed
the AAR trucks are riveted directly to the car body
THE No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 5 1959 – 1960
2 operating early AAR trucks riveted directly to shell
without mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck, the four repair areas can be seen to be smooth without any cross hatch pattern
the 2 holes for the truck mounting plate have been removed
1 hole added for the mounting of the boom assembly
there are 14 stake holes open in the deck, the one next to the brake stand is now open
the AAR trucks are riveted directly to the car body
THE No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 6
2 operating early AAR trucks riveted directly to shell
without mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck
the four repair areas can be seen to be smooth without any cross hatch pattern
the 2 holes for the truck mounting plate have been removed
there are 14 stake holes open in the deck, the one next to the brake stand is now open
hole has been added for wires to pass on No. 6822 searchlight cars
the AAR trucks are riveted directly to the car body
hole has been added for wires to pass on No. 6822 searchlight cars
THE No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 7
2 operating early AAR trucks riveted directly to shell
without mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck
the four repair areas can be seen to be smooth without any cross hatch pattern
the 2 holes for the truck mounting plate have been removed
there are 14 stake holes open in the deck, the one next to the brake stand is now open
hole has been added to mount rocket launching superstructure
trucks riveted directly to shell
hole has been added to mount rocket launching superstructure
THE No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 8
2 operating early AAR trucks riveted directly to shell
without mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck
the four repair areas can be seen to be smooth without any cross hatch pattern
the 2 holes for the truck mounting plate have been removed
there are 14 stake holes open in the deck, the one next to the brake stand is now open
hole has been added to allow rocket launching trigger to come through shell
trucks riveted directly to shell
hole has been added to allow rocket launching trigger to come through shell
THE No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 9
2 operating early AAR trucks riveted directly to shell
without mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck
the four repair areas can be seen to be smooth without any cross hatch pattern
the 2 holes for the truck mounting plate have been removed
there are 14 stake holes open in the deck, the one next to the brake stand is now open
with six holes added: center hole, hole above the 5 in 6511-2, hole below the 2 in 6511-2, large hole along center line right before the truck, two holes top and bottom at the ends of structure with rivets
trucks riveted directly to shell
with six holes added: center hole, hole above the 5 in 6511-2, hole below the 2 in 6511-2, large hole along center line right before the truck, two holes top and bottom at the ends of structure with rivets
THE No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 10
2 operating early AAR trucks riveted directly to shell
without mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck
the four repair areas can be seen to be smooth without any cross hatch pattern
the 2 holes for the truck mounting plate have been removed
there are 14 stake holes open in the deck, the one next to the brake stand is now open
with three holes added: center hole, hole above the 5 in 6511-2, large hole along center line right before the truck
trucks riveted directly to shell
with three holes added: center hole, hole above the 5 in 6511-2, large hole along center line right before the truck
THE No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 11
the AAR trucks are riveted directly to the car body without mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck
the four repair areas can be seen to be smooth without any cross hatch pattern
the 2 holes for the truck mounting plate have been removed
there are 14 stake holes open in the deck, the one next to the brake stand is now open
hole has been added for mounting the boom base for the No. 6670 boom car
hole has been added for rocket launching cars such as No. 6650
THE No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 12
2 operating early AAR trucks riveted directly to shell
without mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck
the four repair areas can be seen to be smooth without any cross hatch pattern
the 2 holes for the truck mounting plate have been removed
there are 14 stake holes open in the deck, the one next to the brake stand is now open
with large rectangular hole cut in deck to allow for blower unit
only found on No. 3470 TARGET LAUNCHING car
trucks riveted directly to shell
THE No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 13
2 AAR trucks riveted directly to shell
without mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck
the four repair areas can be seen to be smooth without any cross hatch pattern
the 2 holes for the truck mounting plate have been removed
there are 2 stake holes open in the deck
there are two slots
the entire bottom mold has been changed to the smooth mold shown above with mold # 3419 – 30
used on helicopter and satellite launching cars
THE No. 6511 – 2 MOLD TYPE 14
2 AAR trucks riveted directly to shell
without mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck
the four repair areas can be seen to be smooth without any cross hatch pattern
the 2 holes for the truck mounting plate have been removed
there are 2 stake holes open in the deck
there is one slot
the entire bottom mold has been changed to the smooth mold shown above with mold # 3419 – 30
used on helicopter and satellite launching cars
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE VARIATIONS OF THE No. 6424 – 11 MOLD
THE No. 6424 – 11 MOLD TYPE 1 1958
the two screws that go through the deck and threaded into the truck mounting plates
the two smooth mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck
there are 2 stake holes open in the deck
the smooth flat steel mounting plates for mounting the bar end trucks to the car body
the stake holes are formed on the bottom but do not go through the deck
THE No. 6424 – 11 MOLD TYPE 2 1958
2 operating early AAR trucks riveted directly to shell
without mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck, the four repair areas can be seen to be smooth without any cross hatch pattern
the 2 holes for the truck mounting plate have been removed
there are 13 stake holes open in the deck, the one next to the brake stand is not open
cars No. 6800, No. 6810, No. 6801 – 50, No. 6802, and No. 6818 can be found on this mold and type
the AAR trucks are riveted directly to the car body
THE No. 6424 – 11 MOLD TYPE 3 1958 – 1959
– 2 operating early AAR trucks riveted directly to shell
– without mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck
– the four repair areas now have rail stops and 4 “6805 SLOTS” have been added (both needed for the # 6805 flatcar”
– the 2 holes for the truck mounting plate now are used for holding the auto superstructure
– there are 2 stake holes open in the deck on opposite corners
– cars No. 6424 and No. 6805 can be found with this mold and type
– 2 operating early AAR trucks riveted directly to shell
– 4 “6805 SLOTS”
THE No. 6424 – 11 MOLD TYPE 4
– 2 operating early AAR trucks riveted directly to shell
– without mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck
– the four repair areas now have the cross hatch pattern
4 “6805 SLOTS” have been added (both needed for the # 6805 flatcar
– the 2 holes for the truck mounting plate now are open
– there are 2 stake holes open in the deck on opposite corners
– 2 operating early AAR trucks riveted directly to shell
– 4 “6805 SLOTS”
– the 2 holes for the truck mounting plate now are open
THE No. 6424 – 11 MOLD TYPE 5
2 operating late AAR trucks riveted directly to shell
without mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck, the four repair areas now have the cross hatch pattern
2 holes along the centerline are present
there are 2 stake holes open in the deck
the 4 “6805 SLOTS” are present (needed for the # 6805 flatcar)
8 frame rail extensions, four on each side, on the bottom of each side rail are present
with brake wheel
the 4 “6805 SLOTS”
2 holes along the centerline are present
8 frame rail extensions, four on each side, on the bottom of each side rail are present
the AAR trucks are riveted directly to the car body
known to come on No. 6431 with white trailers
THE No. 6424 – 11 MOLD TYPE 6 1961 – 1962
2 operating early AAR trucks riveted directly to shell
without mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck, the four repair areas now have the cross hatch pattern
2 holes along the centerline are present
there are 2 stake holes open in the deck
the 4 “6805 SLOTS” are present (needed for the # 6805 flatcar)
8 frame rail extensions, four on each side, on the bottom of each side rail are present
the two slots and a screw hole have been added for the # 6343 flatcar
the 4 “6805 SLOTS”
2 holes along the centerline are present
8 frame rail extensions, four on each side, on the bottom of each side rail are present
the AAR trucks are riveted directly to the car body
8 frame rail extensions, four on each side, on the bottom of each side rail are present
THE No. 6424 – 11 MOLD TYPE 7
with 2 rectangular holes on each end of the deck opened for the bulk head ends
2 holes along the centerline are present
there are 2 stake holes open in the deck
with brake wheel
the 4 “6805 SLOTS” are present (needed for the # 6805 flatcar)
8 frame rail extensions, four on each side, on the bottom of each side rail are present
various truck combinations
with 2 rectangular holes on each end of the deck opened for the bulk head ends
the 4 “6805 SLOTS”
2 holes along the centerline are present
various trucks combinations are riveted directly to the car body
known to come with No. 6469 1963
THE No. 6424 – 11 MOLD TYPE 8
2 operating early AAR trucks riveted directly to shell
there are 13 stake holes open in the deck, the one next to the brake stand is not open
without mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck, the four repair areas now have the cross hatch pattern
the 4 “6805 SLOTS” are present (needed for the # 6805 flatcar)
2 holes along the centerline are present
with brake wheel
the 4 “6805 SLOTS”
2 holes along the centerline are present
2 operating early AAR trucks riveted directly to shell
THE No. 6424 – 11 MOLD TYPE 9 1958
2 operating early AAR trucks riveted directly to shell
without mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck, the four repair areas now have the cross hatch pattern
the 2 holes for the truck mounting plate have been removed
there are 13 stake holes open in the deck, the one next to the brake stand is not open
the 4 “6805 SLOTS” have been added (needed for the # 6805 flatcar”
the 4 “6805 SLOTS”
the AAR trucks are riveted directly to the car body
known to come with No. 6660 BOOM CRANE CAR 1958
THE No. 6424 – 11 MOLD TYPE 10 1959 – 1960
2 operating early AAR trucks riveted directly to shell
without mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck, the four repair areas now have the cross hatch pattern
the 2 holes for the truck mounting plate have been removed
there are 13 stake holes open in the deck, the one next to the brake stand is not open
the 4 “6805 SLOTS” have been added (needed for the # 6805 flatcar”
hole has been added for mounting the boom base for the No. 6670 boom car
the 4 “6805 SLOTS”
the AAR trucks are riveted directly to the car body
hole has been added for mounting the boom base for the No. 6670 boom car
THE No. 6424 – 11 MOLD TYPE 11 1959 – 1963
2 operating early AAR trucks riveted directly to shell
without mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck, the four repair areas now have the cross hatch pattern
the 2 holes for the truck mounting plate have been removed
there are 13 stake holes open in the deck, the one next to the brake stand is not open
the 4 “6805 SLOTS” have been added (needed for the # 6805 flatcar
hole has been added for mounting the boom base for the No. 6670 boom car
hole has been added for rocket launching cars such as No. 6650
the 4 “6805 SLOTS”
the AAR trucks are riveted directly to the car body
hole has been added for mounting the boom base for the No. 6670 boom car
hole has been added for rocket launching cars such as No. 6650
THE No. 6424 – 11 MOLD TYPE 12
2 operating early AAR trucks riveted directly to shell
without mounting tabs at each end protruding through the deck, the four repair areas now have the cross hatch pattern
the 2 holes for the truck mounting plate have been removed
there are 13 stake holes open in the deck, the one next to the brake stand is not open
the 4 “6805 SLOTS” have been added (needed for the # 6805 flatcar
hole has been added for rocket launching cars such as No. 6650
2 operating early AAR trucks riveted directly to shell
hole has been added for rocket launching cars such as No. 6650
with the 4 “6805 SLOTS”
CHECKLIST OF KNOWN FLATCAR TYPES
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