6464 SERIES DOOR TYPES
By Bob Mintz, TCA#92-35064
The early production 6464 cars from 1953 & 1954 which are 6464-1; 6464-25; 6464-50; 6464-75, 6464-100 Orange; 6464-100 Silver; 6464-125; 6464-150; 6464-175; 6464-200 and 6464-225, all came with what we refer to as “Single-block doors”. It is believed that in 1955, to accommodate the paint scheme of the new No. 6464-275 State of Maine car, Lionel developed the “Multi-block” door.
Single block doors would continue be seen on items produced on and after 1955, such as the 6464-50; 6464-100 Orange; 6464-100 Silver; 6464-125; 6464-150; 6464-175; 6464-200 and the 6464-225.
It would appear that Lionel was using up existing stock. Multi-block doors would then be used on these cars for the remainder of the post-war period.
6464-300; 6464-450 and 6464-525 had variations that contained both types of doors, despite none of them being manufactured in 1953 or 1954.
In the Modern Era, there is one with 6 panels (which is 19289), and three with three panels (which are 83866; 1901210 and 2001210).
