The refrigerator car, first used in the 1880’s, was a major factor in the
development of large farming areas in remote regions of the United States. The
citrus and vegetable industries of the Southwest were largely developed after
refrigerated cars were invented that could keep products fresh and edible while
in transport. During the harvest seasons, thousands of loaded refrigerator cars
are still sent to metropolitan areas from the South and Southwest.
Refrigerator
cars also brought an end to the famous cattle drives of the "Old West”.
Instead of driving cattle long distances to a rail head or packing plant, the
expanded rail systems and development of refrigerator cars permitted slaughter
houses and packing plants to be located near the large ranches of the South and
West. This allowed the shipment of fresh meat over great distances without fear
of spoilage.
Early
“reefers” were of all wood construction and about 36’ long. Ice bunkers were
built into each end of the car and filled through hatches on the car roof.
These reefers could only travel about 250 to 400 miles before they would need
re-icing. Salt was sometimes placed in the bunkers to make the ice melt faster
and lower the temperature of the load. Railroads built huge icing platforms and
ice storage houses at major terminals and other strategic locations to quickly
service the cars.
Fig 1 Walthers Cornerstone Ice Platform 933-3245
Ice "reefers," with their telltale roof hatches, enjoyed a long life because of continual improvements in their design. Originally the cars relied on gravity airflow (cold air stayed near the bottom of the car) to keep loads cool. Loads were hung from racks or stacked on pallets and the cool air circulated around the load. Later cars used mechanical or electric fans to force cold air around the load. ln 1958, the first mechanical reefers (utilizing diesel powered refrigeration units) went into service and by 1971, the “ice age” had come to a chilling end.
Traveling across your pike in a “block” or spotted on a siding at an icing platform, packing plant, warehouse, or brewery, these cars will add a touch of realistic color to your model railroad.
1910-1925 With Wood Ends
Fig 2 Double Sheathed Wood Refrigerator
Car with Wood Ends
The all wood
reefer represents the earliest cars, built with vertical brake staff and arch
bar trucks. Many of these cars were painted with the advertising and slogans of
private companies. These “billboard” lettering schemes make this series of cars
very colorful.
1925-1950 With Dreadnaught Ends
Fig 3 Double Sheathed Wood Refrigerator
with Dreadnaught Ends
As with box
car development, steel components were incorporated into construction as
technology improved. Stamped steel ends were added to the refrigerator cars to
strengthen the body. “Double sheathing” remained a prominent part of the
construction to insure maximum insulating properties. Equipped with steel roofs
and Bettendorf trucks, these “reefers” could still be seen in trains during the
50’s.
1940-1960 All-Steel Refrigerator
Fig 4 All-Steel Refrigerator Car
By the
1940’s, new reefers were being built entirely of steel. insulating techniques
improved to the point where economical refrigeration could be accomplished
using steel side sheets in place of wood sheathing. Cars with steel roofs and
sides were more durable and required fewer repairs than wood sheathed cars.
1960-1970 Plug Door Refrigerator
Fig 5 Plug Door Refrigerator Car
The plug
door was introduced in the 1960’s as an option that provided a larger door to
ease loading and unloading of certain commodities. These tight-fitting doors
were better insulated and could keep the car at a more even temperature.
Variations
of 40‘ refrigerator cars are available in limited numbers from Walthers
including the double sheathed all-wood reefers, the double sheathed wood reefer
with Dreadnaught ends, the all-steel reefer and the Plug Door cars. Walthers
models are in the part number range 910-421XX where the X’s represent various
numbers. They also carry a large line of refrigerator cars from various
manufacturers. You best bet is to go to their website and search for 40’ refrigerator.
Thanks to
Walthers for much of this information. The images are the author’s with the exception of the Plug Door reefer.
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