Open letter to manufacturers - new reefers

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

As much as I enjoy seeing new box cars, hoppers, tank cars etc., what I’d really like to see announced are some modern reefers. I know that UP and BNSF both have new reefers and they’ve been in service for a while. I’ve seen the UP ones recently. They were apparently produced from older cars that they modified. The refrigeration units now sit outside the car, on the end. I’ve also seen the BNSF cars. I believe they are a new design and have an icicle design around the top edge. As far as I know, the most recent model of a modern reefer were the Arctic Car models produced by Walthers quite a few years ago.

Does anyone else have any intertest in any newer esigns? If so, please add your comments. Maybe if the manufacturers hear from enough of us we’ll get something produced.

2

I’m still lusting over the all the ice hatch reefers that Atlas, Branchline, Tichy, and intermountain have done lately. Too bad they are still so pricey or I would have a fleet of them.

I did think the icicle design on the top was a breath of fresh air to modern railroading. Doesn’t Amtrack also have some new reefers in their fleet?

3

reefers would be cool, but what we really need are modern day hoppers!!! 5200 ft

4

Reefers are cool. Literally BBBrrrrr.[:D][:)][;)][:p]

5

I would welcome some new Reefers too; I have seen some rebuilds (maybe 5 years ago) - looked like they took the PFE reefers (R70s? similar to whatever Athearn produces), and opened up the diesel compartment (removed the roof, added more covered openings in the side - I’m sure they replaced the diesel unit too).

I believe the Amtrak Express Freight service is limited only to refrigerator service to one client now (which the papers made a big stink about a few weeks ago, because of a congressional ‘mandate’ to continue this service)
Here’s some Amtrak Reefers images http://www.hebners.net/amtrak/amtREEF.html

The wiki entry on refrigerator rail cars is surpisingly thorough, with several images of both classic and modern era reefers:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refrigerator_car.

6

This won’t satisfy the most modern reefers, but it will be a new reefer none the less. They will probably be a little pricey, but if the detail is like their cabooses, it may be worth it.

http://www.wrighttrak.com/ready.html

Rick

7

Not to mention 40 foot RBl’smade to the standard of Branchline with separate castings for grabs and ladders.

Chris

8

i want conditionaire hoppers from intermountain or athearn rtr with the refrigeration units and soem with out!!! they are so awesome!!!

9

Looks a bit like the old Athearn BB 50’ Mech Reefers (NOT the PFE-based 57’). Even so, it will probably be a quantum leap in detail quality from that model.

10

The ARMN 110000 series cars are new cars built by Trinity Rail Group.

The ARMN 901000, 911000, 912000, 932000, 933000, and 992000 series cars are cars built in the early to mid 1970s (and possibly late 1960s) by Fruit Growers Express

The ARMN 725000 (R-70-20, R-70-22, R-70-24), 758000 (R-70-24), 768000 (R-70-18, R-70-19, R-70-20) (some), and 769000 (R-70-20) cars are former SPFE cars built by PCF in the late 1960s to early 1970s.

The ARMN 761000 (R-70-15, R-70-16?, R-70-21, R-70-23) (some), 762000 (R-70-25, R-70-16), 764000 (R-70-15, R-70-16), 765000 (R-70-20), 766000 (R-70-16), 767000 (R-70-16, R-70-17, R-70-18), and 768000 (some) cars are former UPFE series cars built by PCF in the mid 1960s to early 1970s.

Some of ARMN 761000 (R-70-27, R-70-28, R-70-29, R-70-30) series cars are former BAR cars built by PCF in the mid 1960s to early 1970s.

Some of the UPFE 468000 series (R-70-26) cars (which may become part of the ARMN 768000 series) are former MP (ARMN) cars built by PCF in the late 1960s.

The rebuilt ARMN cars have the roof over the engine compartment removed and the grills and doors covering part of the engine compartment removed.

The above number series and classes are from memory, so there may be some errors.

Athearn makes a pretty good representation of the UPFE R-70-20s (and SPFE R-70-20s if a Hydra-Cushion cylinder is added). Con-Cor makes a pretty good representation of the SPFE R-70-16s. It would be nice to have kits with 9’ plug doors with horizontal latch bars (R-70-17 through R-70-19) and cars with the correct roofs for the last order of R-70-20s and for all of the R-70-21s through R-70-25s. Of course seperate grab irons would also be nice.