Wild, chaotic, and unmistakably iconic. This Lionel Looney Tunes Tasmanian Devil boxcar captures the raw energy of classic Warner Bros animation and fuses it with Lionel’s long tradition of playful, high-impact themed rolling stock. The lenticular artwork brings Taz to life in motion, making this car jump off the rails whether it’s running on a layout or displayed in a collection.

This is the kind of crossover piece that appeals to both serious O Gauge operators and pop-culture collectors alike.


What You’re Buying

Brand: Lionel
Item Number: 2428010
Theme / Character: Looney Tunes Tasmanian Devil (Taz)
Car Type: Boxcar with lenticular sides
Gauge / Scale: O Gauge
Condition: Like New
Box: Original box included
Features:
– Lenticular side panels creating motion-effect artwork
– Official Warner Bros licensed Looney Tunes graphics
– High-impact Tasmanian Devil character design
– Metal frame and Lionel-quality construction
– Designed for O Gauge layouts and themed consists
Testing: Tested, car does not light up


History & Culture Deep Dive

Lionel’s collaboration with Warner Bros and the Looney Tunes franchise reflects a broader cultural moment in model railroading. By the late 20th and early 21st century, the hobby expanded beyond strict railroad prototypicalism and embraced nostalgia, pop culture, and crossover collectibles.

The Tasmanian Devil, first appearing in the 1950s, became a breakout character during the home video and cable television boom of the 1980s and 1990s. Taz embodied chaos, humor, and energy, traits that translated perfectly into animated, motion-based visuals like lenticular printing.

Lenticular freight cars became especially popular during this era because they added movement and surprise to layouts. As a train rolled past, the artwork appeared to animate, capturing attention in a way traditional boxcars could not. Lionel leaned into this technology to attract younger hobbyists while still delivering the build quality expected by long-time collectors.

This boxcar represents that intersection of American animation history and modern Lionel innovation. It is not just rolling stock, it is a snapshot of how the hobby evolved to stay culturally relevant.


Why This Matters for Collectors & Operators

For collectors, licensed Looney Tunes Lionel cars remain highly desirable because they appeal to multiple markets at once: train collectors, animation fans, and nostalgia-driven buyers. Tasmanian Devil pieces in particular tend to stand out due to the character’s enduring popularity.

For operators, lenticular cars add visual movement and fun to consists, especially in themed or holiday layouts. Even when stationary, this car commands attention on a display shelf or in a glass case.

Because many of these cars were run heavily by families and younger operators, finding examples in excellent cosmetic condition is becoming more difficult over time.


Condition Notes

This boxcar is in excellent, Like New cosmetic condition with strong graphics and clean lenticular panels. The car was tested and does not light up, indicating a minor repair is needed to restore illumination. Aside from the lighting issue, the car presents extremely well and would display beautifully even without repair.

Original box is included and shows light signs of handling and storage consistent with age.


Professionally packed & shipped with care — Protecting the fun every step of the way.


Fine Print / Important Notes

Item is sold as-is. Lighting feature is not currently functional and may require repair or bulb replacement. No additional testing was performed beyond basic power check. Photos are considered part of the description. Please review all images carefully prior to purchase.


Backend Search Terms

Core Keywords:
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Common Misspellings:
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