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Item 6-8378

WABASH FM, JC PENNEY UNCATALOGED EXCLUSIVE 1983

 

Current Price is $795.95

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Current Price is $795.95

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  • Built 1983 with one variation made in USA, and the other made in Mexico.
  • Wabash dual motored Fairbanks-Morse (FM) Trainmaster, uncataloged, deep blue body, gray and white striping, Wabash flag logo on cab below window
  • '8378' does not appear on body, '550' appears on body near cab
  • Operating headlights at both ends, stamped-metal frame and railings, die-cast six-wheel trucks, two type I pullmor motors, magnetraction, three position E-unit
  • 'Bluebird' markings are quite similar to the 2337 and 2339 Geeps made by Lionel in the 1950's, except that this blue color is darker
  • The carton, marked '8378-203' contained the engine box and a boxed display case marked 'GLASS'. Despite this marking, the case is plastic, it has an oak base with a piece of Gargraves Phantom track fastened to it. Two plastic bumpers are also supplied. An instruction sheet marked 'Lionel Wabash Bluebird' 09-8378-250 came with the box, and a second sheet found with regular production units, 70-8157-250, was also included
  • This was a special production for JC Penney's Christmas special
  • Note that there are 2 known variations of this item, both on a gray plastic shell
  • The first variation was made in the USA, and "Made in USA" is molded in raised lettering on the bottom of the die-cast fuel tank as pictured. The flagpole on the side of the cab is slanted on this version
  • The second variation was made in Mexico, and has a silver plate with "LIONEL CPG" markings on the bottom of the die cast fuel tank, as pictured. On this version, the flagpole is straight up(perpendicular to the ground)instead of slanted. This is one of the few items Lionel sucessfully produced in Mexico
  • The Wabash is the rarest FM produced during the 1970 - 2005 era; being a JC Penney Exclusive combined with the production problems in Mexico, Lionel delivered less than 25% of Penney's order and no one could get one; the version made in the USA has a rarity of 4, and the version made in Mexico is rated at a rarity of 3 but we believe they should be a 5 and 4 respectively. Note that the locomotives generally did not have an orange box, being shipped in a styrofoam container held by the master carton. carton
  • The McComas price guide of 1998 listed a price of $ 1000 for a Mint USA version, and $800 for a Mint Mexican version; the 2007 Greenberg Guide lists it for $ 590 in good condition, and $ 740 for excellent condition. The 2007 Guide list does not list a price for a mint piece and the two variations are not mentioned either(li>The authors should consult with the Train-Station - we try to inform you as to all the details!!!!!!
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