Nostalgia & History > wood side pasr exp reefers

I model in N Scale. A model manufacturer has released wood side express reefers used on passenger trains. I'm interested in marks ATSF, PFE, and REA. I model late fifties to the start of Amtk. I'm looking for proof that at least a few of these cars lasted into the late 50s early 60s. A friend knows of a specific REA car that did. I also saw and have a slide of a wood side brace RFP express car in 1966 in service. But I remember none of the above reefer cars myself, altho I have some books that show wood express reefers on an SAL train in 1962. Any input from your memories would be helpful. Thanks.

It would depend on what road you're modeling. It certainly would have been rare to
extinct on any of the western lines after the very early 50's.

There is a great book for modellers:

"Railway Express Agency-An Overview", V.S. Roseman, Rocky Mountain Publ Inc, Denver, Copyright 1992.

I don't know if the book is still in print but it may be available used. The book states that several classes of wood-sided cars were "off-roster" by 1965 (the REA rail business was in an overall death spiral about that time). The term "off-roster" frequently implies that the cars may have been out-of-service/stored for some time pending disposition. The book categorically states: "wood refrigerators were gone by 1967."

Bob

tp117 Wrote:
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> I model in N Scale. A model manufacturer has
> released wood side express reefers used on
> passenger trains. I'm interested in marks ATSF,
> PFE, and REA. I model late fifties to the start of
> Amtk. I'm looking for proof that at least a few of
> these cars lasted into the late 50s early 60s. A
> friend knows of a specific REA car that did. I
> also saw and have a slide of a wood side brace RFP
> express car in 1966 in service. But I remember
> none of the above reefer cars myself, altho I have
> some books that show wood express reefers on an
> SAL train in 1962. Any input from your memories
> would be helpful. Thanks.

This is what you need:

http://geocities.com/rpcyc/v7.html

It's the most comprehensive work I've ever seen on express reefers. Unfortunately sold out at the publisher, but you should be able to find a copy somewhere.

Anyhow, no for late fifties early / early sixties for ATSF, but yes for REA and PFE, but just barely for PFE.

Thanks all for the responses. I do have the REA book mentioned, and Off. Rwy Psgr Equipment registers for 1959 and 1966. Still, sometimes the later is not too clear. Based on your input I will not get the ATSF car. I used to model only PC/PRR/NYC but have branched out to include the passenger trains when i lived in the mid-west and west in the mid-fifties as a kid. And i like trains with a lot of head end cars.