40' Refrigerator Car Prototype History

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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