REA Express Reefer Color

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

I just picked up a Walthers REA Express Reefer in the 1960’s scheme (large X in the REA diamond). I’ve only found a few photos, mostly B&W but it appears the green Walthers used may be light. Does anyone know if REA lightened its green with this scheme versus the earlier, looks like Pullman green, cars from the late 50’s?

Thanks

Rick Keil

2

Yes, REA used a brighter green for the new scheme. There was a string of them sitting under 30th St station in Phillie, along the Schuylkill Expressway, back in the 1970’s and I remember them being the brighter green.

Dave H.

3

Dave is right about the brighter green. Here’s the chronology of REA colors: 1929 (formation of Railway Express Agency) through late 1940s, Pullman Green 1950s, “REA Dark Green,” lighter and greener than Pullman Green, but still relatively dark. Large (60") red “Railway Express Agency” diamond added about 1953 and later 1961 and later, “Apple Green,” the brighter color, with white sans-serif italicized lettering, “REA EXPRESS,” and smaller (50"), simplified REA diamond with italicized letters “REA” over a large white “X” For more on Railway Express and all other express refrigerator cars, see “Railway Prototype Cyclopedias” nos. 7 and 9, from RP CYC Publishing Co., www.geocities.com/rpcyc/home.html So long, Andy

4

Thanks Dave and Andy

The car will find itself on the headend of appropriate Burlington passenger trains.

Rick