P.F.E. BR-40-10 40Ft. Steel Express Reefer....

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

Hi,

I would appreciate if anyone has and can share a photo., preferably in color, of the aforementioned reefer described in the “Subject” box.

I would like to have a photo. of the actual 40Ft. Steel reefer for my records.

Thank you, in advance,

Ralph

2

Have you tried a Google search? When I typed ‘pfe br-40-10 reefer’ into Google a lot of hits came up. For example:

http://www.sunshinekits.com/sunimages/sun46a.pdf

or

http://amstrains.americanmainline.com/AM32501.htm

3

cacole,

Thank you,

I am using Yahoo!

That is my problem.

I will use Google, for a color, or B.&W. photo. of the real-prototype car.

Ralph

4

All of those photos are of R-40-10 reefers. The BR-40-10s were dark green with yellow/orange (probably Dulux) lettering and no herald.

There’s a colour photo in the article I mentioned in your other thread (April 1987 issue of RMC) - I can scan it, but don’t have permission to post it here.

There is a BR-40-10 listed in Bob’s photo list but it doesn’t specify if it’s in colour or b&w.

You may be able to obtain a suitable photo from the Online Archive of California - Pacific Fruit Express Company Collection. (Scroll to the bottom of the page for the pertinent section.)

Wayne

5

doctorwayne,

Thank you and I will look into the "Online Archive of California Pacific Fruit Express Company Collection.

Ralph

6

The green is not Pullman green but an olive green unique to SP & PFE, No CS charts for this color remain, so i’ve arrived at a formula based upon several surviving sources, comprised of Pullman green with a couple drops of roof brown. Olive should be applied to the sides, ends and roof. Trucks, underframe and hardware were black. Lettering is deluxe gold with no heralds.

As built, the 50ft express reefers had no roof hatch platforms, displayed indvidule grab irons on the sides and ends with high mounted Minor brake wheels, boasted no end lettering, classification or PFE ownership data and wore a coat of dark olive/brown on the truck frames, they were lettered in gold leaf for Wells Fargo Express or Western Railway Express both of whom were later merged into the Railway Express Agency.

Dave

7

West Coast S,

Thank you for more information.

Ralph

8

doctorwayne,

I tried to contact the Ca. State RR. Museum via E-Mail, but I got a delivery failure notice.

Instead, I left a telephone message and I am waiting for the museum’s Director of Collections to call me back.

Ralph

9

doctorwayne,

Thanks to you I have contacted the library of California State Railroad Museum and the Librarian Cara Randall has photograph copies, for sale, of the P.F.E. BR-40-10 Express Reefer car.

Also, I will look into the Volume II book, of the P.F.E. Reefers, which you mentioned.

Take care,

Ralph

10

Thank you all, who have helped me find info. and pictures, especially in color of a P.F.E. BR-40-10 Express Refrigerator car.

Two other persons who further helped me obtain more info. and photos. are:

California State Railroad Museum Library: Librarian Cara Randall;
and
Carstens Publishing, Inc. Archive Department: Archivist Lynn Good.

Sincerely,

Ralph