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Buddy L Cars

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The Buddy L toy company was founded in 1910 as the Moline Press Steel Company in East Moline, Illinois. The founder, Fred Lundahl, manufactured pressed steel parts for the farm and truck industries. In his spare time, he made toy vehicles for his son Arthur Brown Lundahl. These toys caught the attention of young Arthur’s friends and their parents, so the Moline Press Steel Company began manufacturing toy vehicles in addition to steel parts. The toys were so popular that Mr. Lundahl began manufacturing toys exclusively in 1921. He changed the name of his company, adopting his son’s nickname Buddy L.

In 1927, Buddy L manufactured a model railroad set that ran on 3 1/4 inch gauge track. These large model railroad cars were made of welded sheet steel. The track consisted of rolled steel rails welded to steel ties. There were 14 pieces available in the original set. Buddy L also produced a 2 inch gauge train called the Buddy L Industrial Train. Track for this set was stamped with rails and ties in one piece.

During World War II, Buddy L was forced to manufacture its toys out of wood, as steel was needed for the war effort. Buddy L return to steel toys after the war, but used lighter weight materials. In the '70s, Buddy L was sold to a Japanese company that began incorporating plastic into the design of the toys. China eventually took over the manufacture of the toys, using mostly plastic.


Quick Facts

  • The original prices for the Buddy L model railroad pieces ranged from $27 for the locomotive and tender to $6 for the flat car
  • T-Reproductions of Johnson City was authorized to make replicas of the original metal trains in the '90s
  • Buddy L’s 3 1/4 inch gauge train was so large that it was often run outdoors

Recommended Items at Auction

See all items

BUDDY L EXPRESS LINE SCREENSIDE TRUCK
May 03, 10:00 AM EDT
BUDDY L EXPRESS LINE SCREENSIDE TRUCK
by Milestone Auctions
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$1,00028 Bids
BUDDY L. PRESSED STEEL TANKER TRUCK
Apr 26, 10:00 AM EDT
BUDDY L. PRESSED STEEL TANKER TRUCK
by John McInnis Auctioneers
Est: $75- $150
$1504 Bids
BUDDY L PRESSED STEEL TANK LINE TRUCK
May 03, 10:00 AM EDT
BUDDY L PRESSED STEEL TANK LINE TRUCK
by Milestone Auctions
Est: $1,000- $1,500
$5002 Bids
BUDDY L AIR FORCE MISSILE INTERCEPTOR UNIT w/ BOX
May 03, 10:00 AM EDT
BUDDY L AIR FORCE MISSILE INTERCEPTOR UNIT w/ BOX
by Milestone Auctions
Est: $300- $500
$1602 Bids
BUDDY L #5305 COUNTRY SQUIRE WAGON w/ BOX
May 03, 10:00 AM EDT
BUDDY L #5305 COUNTRY SQUIRE WAGON w/ BOX
by Milestone Auctions
Est: $400- $600
$2102 Bids
Buddy L Pressed Steel Outdoor Railroad steam locomotive and tender
May 15, 10:00 AM EDT
Buddy L Pressed Steel Outdoor Railroad steam locomotive and tender
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $700
$202 Bids
BUDDY L #5404 PICKUP TRUCK w/ BOX
May 03, 10:00 AM EDT
BUDDY L #5404 PICKUP TRUCK w/ BOX
by Milestone Auctions
Est: $200- $400
$1001 Bid
BUDDY L FRED LUNDAHL PRESENTATION HAND SAW
May 03, 10:00 AM EDT
BUDDY L FRED LUNDAHL PRESENTATION HAND SAW
by Milestone Auctions
Est: $300- $500
$1501 Bid
BUDDY L #5680 AIR DEFENSE SET w/ BOX
May 03, 10:00 AM EDT
BUDDY L #5680 AIR DEFENSE SET w/ BOX
by Milestone Auctions
Est: $800- $1,000
$4001 Bid
BUDDY L CAMPING TRAILER & STATION WAGON w/ BOX
May 03, 10:00 AM EDT
BUDDY L CAMPING TRAILER & STATION WAGON w/ BOX
by Milestone Auctions
Est: $400- $600
$2001 Bid
Buddy L Outdoor Railroad #963 Train Engine / Locomotive
May 10, 10:00 AM CDT
Buddy L Outdoor Railroad #963 Train Engine / Locomotive
by Kraft Auction Service
Est: $0- $0
$251 Bid
Buddy L Outdoor Railroad Train Engine Tender
May 10, 10:00 AM CDT
Buddy L Outdoor Railroad Train Engine Tender
by Kraft Auction Service
Est: $0- $0
$251 Bid
BUDDY L #0305 COUNTRY SQUIRE WAGON w/ BOX
May 03, 10:00 AM EDT
BUDDY L #0305 COUNTRY SQUIRE WAGON w/ BOX
by Milestone Auctions
Est: $400- $600
$2001 Bid
BUDDY L #5302 SUBURBAN WAGON w/ BOX
May 03, 10:00 AM EDT
BUDDY L #5302 SUBURBAN WAGON w/ BOX
by Milestone Auctions
Est: $400- $600
$2001 Bid
Buddy L Pressed Steel Outdoor Railroad 1003 Maroon Tank Car
May 15, 10:00 AM EDT
Buddy L Pressed Steel Outdoor Railroad 1003 Maroon Tank Car
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $300
$101 Bid
Buddy L 1007 Pressed Steel Bottom Dump Hopper Car
May 15, 10:00 AM EDT
Buddy L 1007 Pressed Steel Bottom Dump Hopper Car
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $400
$101 Bid
Buddy L Pressed Steel Pile Driver
May 15, 10:00 AM EDT
Buddy L Pressed Steel Pile Driver
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $1,000
$101 Bid
Buddy L Pressed Steel Railroad Clamshell Dredge
May 15, 10:00 AM EDT
Buddy L Pressed Steel Railroad Clamshell Dredge
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $1,000
$101 Bid
Buddy L Pressed Steal 1003 Yellow Tank Car
May 15, 10:00 AM EDT
Buddy L Pressed Steal 1003 Yellow Tank Car
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $600
$101 Bid
Buddy L Pressed Steel No. 1008 Black Side Dump Gondola
May 15, 10:00 AM EDT
Buddy L Pressed Steel No. 1008 Black Side Dump Gondola
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $350
$101 Bid
Buddy L Pressed Steel No. 1005 Black Gondola
May 15, 10:00 AM EDT
Buddy L Pressed Steel No. 1005 Black Gondola
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $300
$101 Bid
Buddy L Pressed Steel 1020 Wrecking Crane
May 15, 10:00 AM EDT
Buddy L Pressed Steel 1020 Wrecking Crane
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $800
$101 Bid
10- BUDDY L OUTDOOR RAILROAD STRAIGHT TRACK
May 03, 10:00 AM EDT
10- BUDDY L OUTDOOR RAILROAD STRAIGHT TRACK
by Milestone Auctions
Est: $800- $1,200
$4000 Bids
6- BUDDY L OUTDOOR RAILROAD TRACK
May 03, 10:00 AM EDT
6- BUDDY L OUTDOOR RAILROAD TRACK
by Milestone Auctions
Est: $400- $600
$2000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Buddy L Cars


Milestone Auctions

Milestone Auctions

Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists

Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists

Kraft Auction Service

Kraft Auction Service

William Smith Auctions

William Smith Auctions