I recently acquired a small collection of Lionel trains that once belonged to a woman who worked for Lionel in the 1950’s. Her grandson said the trains were the last few items in a large collection. Included was a #3456 operating Black Hopper and a identical #3456 NON-Operating Black Hopper? Can anyone tell me about the non-operating hopper? I have not found it in any reference books, eBay, Greenberg’s, etc.
Can you post pictures?
There was a black 2456 LV non operating but no mention of a 3456 non operating car.
Since it came from a former Lionel employee, it sounds like it may be the prototype of a car that was never produced, or possibly a paint sample to check the paint scheme before applying it to an operating car.
Larry
agreed