Based on 1,000s of authentic internal postwar Lionel documents as well as the expert observations of two leading postwar historians, Joseph P. Algozzini and Emanuel F. Piazza, this book provides the most complete and authoritative guide to Lionels operating cars. It is the first book to include both price and rarity for complete component boxed items, including: all known and authenticated operating car variations, original boxes, insert & liners, packed envelopes, instruction sheets and any other peripherals that came with the operating car.It also includes: an introduction by Roger Carp of Classic Toy Trains magazine detailing the history of Lionels operating cars, rarity based on actual production numbers, definitions and pricing for the operating car, its component box, instruction sheet and peripherals and comprehensive appendices on boxes, trucks and couplers and box car "Types".This is the first and only book to provide this level of detail straight from Lionel. This refreshing and new research will increase any collector or operators expertise on this subject.