Production: 1958

History
The 6660 Boom car was only manufactured for a single year and is somewhat hard to find -- especially complete and not damaged. Many people believe this was Lionel's version of their crane car for 1958 -- which is incorrect. Lionel did continue to produce a crane car in the late 1950's, but under the number 6560.

Although a boom and crane car resemble each other, the boom car is a somewhat unique looking freight car with a slightly different purpose. On real railroads, a boom car is generally coupled to a gondola, flatcar or work caboose and designed for easier and quicker maneuverability of smaller, lighter weight items. Conversely, crane cars are built with heavy-duty hydraulic lifts and counterweights to tackle larger, heavier or more size-able items.

Lionel included the 6660 Boom car in only one 027 freight set in 1958. 

Features
The6660 Derrick car has the following standard features: unpainted red flat car with white lettering, AAR trucks with two operating couplers, a yellow boom with metal hook plus a brake wheel stand and brake wheel.

Also included --which differentiates this car from the 6670 -- is a steel base which attaches the manually rotating boom to the flatcar. Also included on this steel base are two movable and functional outriggers.

AdditionalDetail, Photos & Box Information
This is one of only a select few postwar items produced for a single year, yet there are two different box variations.