1. 
   

Pre - 1913 Wood PFE Ice Cars

1. In the R-30 series, there were two distinct under frames.
   

2. Bruce Smith
   

References

1.                                                                               (*see RMC 1/87, pg. 61)
   

R-30-1

1. #      1 - 1700       Built by AC&F.
   

2. #4601 - 4704       Built by AC&F.
   

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 71, 74-76
   

Modeling R-30-1

Westerfield

1. 
   

R-30-2

1. #1701 - 4600    Built by AC&F.
   

2. #4705 - 6600    Built by AC&F.
   

Ice Service Cars

1. SP and some other railroads used to deliver ice to section houses, homes of signal maintainers and others, and many depots (before the days of widespread refrigerators instead of ice boxes in homes). Ice might also need to be delivered to stations at which passenger equipment needed to receive ice, usually for ice-activated refrigeration, but also for dining car kitchens. SP bought old PFE reefers from time to time, and then used them for this delivery service. This is shown in Chapter 4 of Volume 4 in my series on Southern Pacific Freight Cars.
   

2. 
   

3. Among the SP company ice service cars were some elderly cars which had been classified as Class R-30-2 on the PFE, and were retired by PFE in the 1930s. The SP bought ten of them. As with most other SP ice service cars, they were painted boxcar red and given SPMW lettering. These kinds of ice service cars would rarely be interchangeable. That is, the PFE cars would not be in use for SP company delivery, nor would the SPMW cars be employed by PFE to move ice around. And of course company-service ice cars like the SP ones can go anywhere on the railroad.
   

4. Tony Thompson
   

Paint

1. As with most other SP ice service cars, they were painted boxcar red.
   

Lettering & Numbering

1. As with most other SP ice service cars, they were given SPMW lettering.
   

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 71-74
   

Drawings

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 72
   

Modeling R-30-2

Westerfield

1. Use the Westerfield resin kits for those early PFE Class R-30-2 cars, to represent one of the ten purchased for SP ice service use.
   

R-30-2-13

1. #2303
   

2. Rebuilt in 1927.
   

Paint

1. 1909 PFE paint scheme.
   

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 68, 71, 77
   

R-30-4

1. #6601 - 7100    Built by Pullman in 1909.
   

2. #13220 - 22519  rebuilt
   

3. These had no grab iron or sill step at the left of the car side. This was true of all PFE cars prior to 1911.
   

4. 
   

5. The R-30-4/5 cars were built just before the 1911 Safety Appliance Act, which resulted in their being immediately rebuilt in 1911-1913 to meet the Act's requirements.  All three types were later rebuilt again in the mid 1920's.
   

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 71, 78, 130
   

Modeling R-30-4

Westerfield

    KIT #4902:  R-30-4 Reefer

    KIT #4952:  R-30-4 Reefer, Safety App

                                                                                  www.westerfieldmodels.com

R-30-5

1. #7101 - 10121    Built by Pullman from 1909-1911
   

2. 
   

3. 3,521 cars of this type were built.
   

4. The R-30-4/5 cars were built just before the 1911 Safety Appliance Act, which resulted in their being immediately rebuilt in 1911-1913 to meet the Act's requirements.  All three types were later rebuilt again in the mid 1920's.
   

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 69, 71, 79, 84
   

Modeling R-30-5

Westerfield

    KIT #4903:  R-30-5 Reefer

    KIT #4953:  R-30-5 Reefer, Safety App

                                                                                  www.westerfieldmodels.com

R-30-6

1. #10122 - 13219   
   

2. 
   

3. Built by AC&F. in 1912-1913, 3,098 cars were built. Later rebuilt again in the mid 1920's.
   

4. Had Benttendorf underframe with Bohn ventilators.
   

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 71, 80, 82, 83
   

2. 
   

3. PFE refrigerator cars parked at the Covina Orange Growers Association packing house around 1925. 
   

4. See the image at:                                        http://www.oac.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt7h4nd4bk/?brand=oac4
   

5. The first car on the left has hoods, possibly Bohn ventilators, over the hatch openings. 
   

6. Bob Chaparro
   

Drawings

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 82
   

Modeling R-30-6

Westerfield

    KIT #4901:  R-30-6 Reefer

                                                                                  www.westerfieldmodels.com

R-30-6-11 1/2

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 137
   

R-30-8  Rebuilt

1. #19920 - 28749
   

2. #18920 - 36473
   

3. #90001 - 91021
   

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 115
   

Post 1917 Wood PFE Ice Cars

R-30-9

    #91022 - 98718

1. The subject class, PFE R-30-9, consisted of rebuilt cars, drawn from several prior classes. Not only the older cars of classes R-30-11, -12, -13 and -14, but even the 40-ton cars of Class R-40-2, were the raw material for these rebuilds. What all these classes had in common was wood-framed superstructures. During 1938 to 1940, fully 7694 cars were rebuilt and reclassified as R-30-9 (or if they originally had 40-ton underframes, they became R-40-9, but this was a small minority of the total cars in the class). All cars in the class retained their original underframe, whether 30-ton or 40-ton, whether built-up or commercial Bettendorf type. They were numbered from 91022 through 98718. The wood superstructure framing meant that the cars had limited lifetime, and by 1949, needed rework again. This time, all surviving cars, nearly 6300 of them, received the same kind of light steel framing in their superstructure as had many other PFE rebuilds, but receiving new wood tongue-and-groove sheathing.
   

2. 
   

3. R-30-9 cars, more than half again as numerous as R-40-23, remained in service a long time, and as late as 1958, the class still contained about 3000 cars.
   

4. 
   

5. Ice service was the transportation of ice from places it was produced, to smaller ice houses which didn’t have ice manufacturing capability, which then simply stored the ice for later use. Pacific Fruit Express assigned a few old, worn-out cars to ice service. As explained and illustrated in Chapter 13 of (Pacific Fruit Express),
   

6. 
   

7. It had an outside metal roof.
   

Lettering & Numbering

1. PFE lettered its ice service cars just like all the other cars, except for the added legend ICE SERVICE, in 9-inch lettering in place of the usual PACIFIC FRUIT EXPRESS legend above the reporting marks.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 131-133, 135, 148
   

Modeling R-30-9

Lettering & Numbering

PFE Decals

Microscale

1. PFE lettered its ice service cars just like all the other cars, except for the added legend ICE SERVICE, in 9-inch lettering in place of the usual PACIFIC FRUIT EXPRESS legend above the reporting marks. This lettering has been provided in Microscale set 87-501 for years, so you can letter any kind of PFE car with those decals, and obtain an ice service car.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

Weathering

1. There is a tendency among modelers to weather ice service car models heavily, and it’s true these were probably rarely washed; but they did get repainted from time to time, as part of car upkeep, so a relatively recent paint job like the model above is entirely appropriate. For photos of cars like this in service, see page 154 of the PFE book.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

Red Caboose

1. Recently Red Caboose re-ran its PFE R-30-9 model reefer is entirely correct. This is a good HO scale kit for this class, since it models a Bettendorf underframe, it can only model part of the class exactly. The car number for the kit described here is PFE 95740, a car which did have a Bettendorf underframe. The only modification one should do is to model the ice hatches as open.
   

Red Caboose Lettering & Numbering

Decals

1. Red Caboose PFE R-30-9 model reefer in Ice Service lettering, appears to be entirely correct. It has the style of PFE lettering after early 1952, when lines above and below reporting marks and numbers were omitted, along with periods in “PFE.” This kit, as it happens, was a special-run lettering version for a past annual meeting of the Southern Pacific Historical & Technical Society. The car number for the kit described here is PFE #95740.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

Microscale

1. Paint out the kit’s spelled-out road name, PACIFIC FRUIT EXPRESS, and substituted the 9-inch words ICE SERVICE from the Microscale PFE set 87-501. Also add the white decal placard indicating assignment to ice service which is in that new set 87-501. Use the “Los Angeles” assignment placard, as that is the closest large Ice Manufacturing Plant.
   

Sunshine

Tichy

R-30-11- 1/2

1. #13220 - 13279
   

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 98
   

R-30-11

1. #13280 - 15919
   

1. PFE R-30-9, were rebuilt cars from the older cars of classes R-30-11.
   

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 87-89, 98
   

Modeling R-30-11

Kitbash

1. R-30-11, -12, -13, -14, and WP as-built cars can be done with Westerfield kits or Red Caboose short-body kits with the appropriate underframe.
   

2. Dick Harley
   

1. 
   

R-30-12

1. #15920 - 18919
   

2. #19920 - 26719
   

3. #28250 - 28749
   

4. #29650 - 31249
   

1. The R-30-12 had a Bettendorf underframe, which was comprised of a single beam center sill.
   

2. PFE R-30-9, were rebuilt cars from the older cars of classes R-30-12.
   

1. The R-30-12 were used for rebuilds into the R-30-12-16 as well as others such as the R-30-12-18.
   

2. Bruce Smith
   

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 89, 98
   

Modeling R-30-12

Details

1. Use Kadee T-section trucks.
   

2. Use Detail Associates Delrin Stirrup steps (#6411) to fix the broken end steps.
   

Kitbash

1. R-30-12 cars can be done with Westerfield kits or Red Caboose short-body kits with the appropriate underframe.
   

2. Dick Harley
   

Red Caboose

1. For late 40's, this kit was more accurate for WP/PFE cars than for SP-UP/PFE.
   

2. accurate for original PFE up to prewar (?). Accurate for original PFE up to prewar (?) can be built accurate for WP R-30-12's to 1953. Is too short for PFE rebuilds.    
   

   RC trucks are bad. Just about any other 70 ton roller bearing truck will be better.

1. The R-30-12, represented by the Red Caboose kit, has a "Bettendorf" under frame. This can be recognized by the “I” shape to the end of the bolster.
   

2. Bruce Smith
   

Westerfield

1. Westerfield now offers R-30-12 original cars, and "modernized" cars with safety appliances.
   

Sunshine

1. Now offers R-30/40-9 rebuilds (the total number of kit variations is around 60 or 70!!).
   

Lettering & Numbering

PFE Decals

Microscale

1. Add more data to the PFE ice reefer sets -- like the flammable insulation warning.
   

2. 
   

R-30-12-9

1. The type of roofs were steel sheet-over-wood versions.
   

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 128, 131-133
   

Paint

1. The (metal) roofs are painted black with the (wooden) roof walk/ hatches/ walk near hatches/ ends 'brown'. From 'the book', metal hardware was painted black with wood roof and ends 'brown'. They replaced the original wooden roofs with metal that they also painted that part black (since they were now metal).
   

2. 
   

3. When all-metal roofs came in, they were BCR from the beginning. The old "outside" roofs, thin sheet steel over a wood structural roof, had been painted black into the 1930s, but once the "solid steel" roofs with no wood parts were in the fleet, there was a change to red roofs. There were surviving black roofs up to World War II, but the -9 program began in 1938 and it is pretty clear that the new paint on those cars would have included BCR roofs.
   

4. Tony Thompson 
   

5. 
   

6. One wonders why they chose black for the top of a car that they were trying to keep cold inside. The CME of PFE, did studies with white, aluminum, and dark paint on roofs (BCR in this test). When the paint was new, the lighter, more reflective colors helped considerably with interior temperature. But as they got dirty, the difference among the colors declined. By one month after painting, the difference was nil, and the lighter paints looked much worse. Obvious conclusion: don't worry about it.
   

7. Tony Thompson 
   

8. 
   

9. The type of roofs were steel sheet-over-wood versions, but really should not be black. At least weather them heavily.
   

10. Tony Thompson
    

11. 
    

R-30-12-17   Rebuilt

1. #  79995 - 79999
   

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 140, 150
   

Drawings

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 154
   

2. 
   

R-30-12-18   Rebuilt

1. #
   

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 128
   

Modeling R-30-12-18

Intermountain

    HO scale PFE wood-sheathed refrigerator cars.

1. 
   

R-30-13 

1. #118920 - 19919
   

2. #  26720 - 28249
   

3. #  28750 - 29649
   

4. #  33435 - 36473
   

1. PFE R-30-9, were rebuilt cars from the older cars of classes R-30-13.
   

1. The R-30-13 was an identical car to the R-30-12 but with a different under frame, the railroad designed "built-up" under frame. This can be recognized by the "box" or rectangular end of the bolster. The R-30-13 were used for rebuilds into the R-30-13-16 (as originally classified) as well as others such as the R-30-13-18.
   

2. Bruce Smith
   

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 98
   

Modeling R-30-13

1. R-30-13 cars can be done with Westerfield kits or Red Caboose short-body kits with the appropriate underframe.
   

2. Dick Harley
   

Taurus

Tichy  

1. Stand-in for R-30-13 PFE or WP to prewar
   

Westerfield

1. Westerfield now offers an R-30-13 original cars, and "modernized" cars with safety appliances.
   

Lettering & Numbering

1. These cars would have had the double colored herald scheme in the post WWll era.
   

2. 
   

R-30-13-9  Rebuilt

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 127, 148
   

2. 
   

R-30-14

1. #32435 - 33434
   

1. PFE R-30-9, were rebuilt cars from the older cars of classes R-30-14.
   

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 98
   

Modeling R-30-14

1. R-30-14 cars can be done with Westerfield kits or Red Caboose short-body kits with the appropriate underframe.
   

2. Dick Harley
   

Westerfield

R-30-15

1. #
   

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 136
   

R-30-16

1. PFE #74583
   

2. 
   

3. It had a solid-steel (straight-panel) roof.  
   

4. There were 3664 cars rebuild to R-30-16 standards during 1940-42, and lasting until 1966 when the last wooden ice-bunker reefers were retired on the PFE.
   

Details

Brakes

1. PFE  put K brakes on the first 1200 cars rebuilt. The remainder of the class was rebuilt with new AB brakes. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, replacement of the K brakes with AB brakes continued on all PFE car classes, but a fair number of the rebuild cars still had K brakes as the AAR deadline for their replacement approached.
   

Reference

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 138, 139
   

1. There is an R.L. Dengler photo in the Espee files area of a preserved R-30-16, PFE 74583.
   

Paint

1. On page 139 of the PFE are two R-30-16's. The sides are not yellow, they are orange, and quite dirty. The medallions are painted on the wood.
   

Lettering & Numbering

1. Painted medallions show the same shedding of dirt, as sometimes does white lettering (often attributed to chalking). Of course PFE car sides had black lettering on the orange, not a chalking color. The 7-inch end lettering is obvious.
   

2. Tony Thompson  
   

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 130
   

Modeling R-30-16

Accurail

1. The Accurail wood reefer is not a PFE car, it is a BREX car, but could be adapted with work.
   

Tichy Kitbash

1. Take the Tichy R-40-2 and update it with other parts.
   

Wegmann/Red caboose Hybrid PFE R-30-16 Reefer kit

1. Special run of PFE Wooden R-30-16 HO styrene kits, which has been offered to the folks on the Steam Era freight Car List, with members of this list and to the Espee group. Terry has come up with a very creative way to make a kit of the very plentiful PFE R-30-16 reefer.
   

2. 
   

3. Terry Wegmann has agreed to make another run of the hybrid Wegmann/Red Caboose HO PFE R-30-16 Wood sheathed, wooden end, steel roofed Reefer. Terry takes the Red Caboose Wood bodied rebuilt undec. reefer kit, machines the wood ends to accept his own steel rectangular panel roof (which is also machined to fit the RC body) and hatch covers, and supplies new injected molded plastic cross-bearers to correct a RC problem with their Bettendorf underframe. This will be a rather complete kit, coming with RC trucks, but couplers, paint, and decals are not supplied. Tony Thompson has reviewed this kits for the Steam Era group, and has had very high praise for the kit. Price to the same price as the earlier run, which will be $22.00 ea. plus $4.00 shipping via USPS Priority mail. An additional $1.00 per each car shipped beyond the first car will be charged. Expected delivery is in about 6 weeks, perhaps sooner.
   

4. 
   

5. Basically the kit is identical to the Red Caboose R-30-9 model except that it comes with a steel, rectangular panel roof, and some extra details. The prototype -16 rebuild was characterized by a solid-steel (straight-panel) roof instead of the outside metal roof correctly modeled on the original kit of the R-30-9. Terry’s conversion kit included the new roof and all roof hardware, a set of correctly shaped cross-bearers for the underframe of the rebuilds, and a piece of styrene to fill the gap above the car ends and below the roof molding.
   

1. Building the Wegmann R-30-16 conversion, was the subject of a prior blog post, at:
   

                                                                         http://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/2011/09/small-modeling-project-pfe-r-30-16.html

Paint

1. Paint the inside of the car sides with black acrylic paint. The translucent orange styrene sides can take on an odd appearance in some lighting if the back of them is not painted a dark color. (An alternative is to paint the body exterior Daylight Orange before beginning any assembly.)
   

Hardware

1. Hinges and door hardware are painted black.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

Sunshine

                                          

Lettering & Numbering

1. These cars would have had the double colored herald scheme in the post WWll era.
   

2. With freshly decaled cars, make careful checking of the decals to make sure all “bridging” of grooves between “boards” of the side sheathing had been eliminated, a coat of Testor’s Dullcote was sprayed on to protect the decals and also apply a uniform flat coating which would accept the acrylic wash weathering.
   

PFE Herald Decals

Champ

1. Use Champ Decals Super Set # SHS 190. SHS-190 does NOT have a red/white/blue UP herald. It has exactly one set of black & white heralds circa 1950-late 50's. It is an excellent set with lots of extra detail lettering. The lettering in the Champ SHS-190 set is still one of the better renditions of PFE lettering on decals, but you get the thicker film. A note in the set lists other UP medallions that are available from Champ. Unfortunately, Champ's version of the 45-inch tricolor UP medallion (used by PFE from June 1946 to June 1950) has the wrong lettering style.
   

Microscale

1. The UP medallions in the Microscale 87-414 set look much better. 
   

2. 
   

3. For early 50s, B&W herald scheme, try using the MicroScale 87-414 heralds, and use MicroScale 87 501 for the lettering, or the champ SHS 190 for the lettering, as well.
   

4. 
   

5. For 1946-1950, #87-414 is the way to go scheme.
   

6. For 1950 to late 50's use 87-414 for SP and HH-39 for the UP herald (this is the UP herald in SHS-190) or you can use 87-501 UP heralds even though the letters seem a tad thick. For the last schemes used through to retirement, the MS 87 501 has what you need. The lettering in 87-414 is better than 87-501. Avoid the MicroScale #s 4021 and 4240, as they have too many errors. You can buy extra heralds from Champ, or use the Microscale sets.
   

7. 
   

8. *Note - #87-414 has been revised twice (so there are 3 versions). The latest version is dated 1995. (The earliest versions about to have undersize heralds.) 87-414 has the r/w/b UP heralds and 87-501 is all black/white.
   

Wegmann/Red caboose Hybrid PFE R-30-16 Reefer kit

1. A Champ set (“Super Set” SHS-190) iss included in one of the Wegmann conversion kits. Use the railroad medallions from Microscale set 87-414 (as revised in 1995; this set is to be re-issued one of these days with even more complete data and somewhat better detailed lettering and emblems). The Champ set does have the 7-inch end lettering used for a time by PFE.
   

Weathering

1. The paint scheme modeled from the late 1940s would not be weathered too heavily. In those days, PFE was still washing its cars at two- to three-year intervals, so cars in many cases were not as dirty as the age of the paint might suggest.
   

1. This is a water-base system, and such washes must “wet” all parts of the model surfaces equally, and any glossy areas will fail that test: water will “bead up” on them, rather than making a uniform wetted surface. The result would be patchy weathering, an undesirable outcome, to say the least. Use the same mix of acrylic paint colors as I described for flat car decks
   

2. (see: http://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/2011/05/weathering-flat-car-decks.html), which are Neutral Gray, Ivory Black, and Burnt Umber. I weather the roof first, leaving the sides dry and thus available for me to hold the model while working on the roof, then when the roof is dry, usually the next day, I weather the sides. By this time, I can hold the model by the dry roof and bottom edges of the sides, and keep fingers out of the weathering application. 
   

3. Tony Thompson
   

References

1. See Tony Thompson’s blog:                    http://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/2011/08/small-modeling-project-pfe-r-30-16.html
   

R-30-18

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 140
   

Modeling R-30-18

Intermountain

1. R-30-18 (Terry Wegmann made outstanding parts which IM assembles in China).
   

Paint

1. The color is a good match to the chip in the PFE book.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

Sunshine

R-30-19  Rebuilt

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 141, 142
   

Modeling R-30-19

Intermountain

1. R-30-19 (Terry Wegmann made outstanding parts which IM assembles in China).
   

Sunshine

R-30-21  Rebuilt

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 144
   

Modeling R-30-21

Intermountain

1. R-30-21 (Terry Wegmann made outstanding parts which IM assembles in China).
   

Sunshine

R-30-24  Rebuilt

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 145
   

R-40-1

1. # 36474 - 36562
   

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 109- 111
   

Modeling R-40-1

Sunshine

1.                
   

R-40-2

1. #36563 - 37562
   

2. #37563 - 38562
   

               

1. The R-40-2 had a built-up underframe with twin beams for the center sill. The R-40-2's that were rebuilt from R-30-2's and retained their wood plank roofs!
   

PFE 40’ Reefer Brake Wheel Location

1. On PFE 40' Reefers one could know which end of the car had the brake wheel from the SP logo. It was always on the end nearest the brake wheel--for most years of PFE. But not during the color-double-herald era: the two sides of the car were the same. In fact, reversion to the old "B end at the SP logo end" rule was given as a reason to change the scheme. The "wrong" period was 1946 to 1951.
   

2. Tony Thompson 
   

SP Ice Service Car

1. #37332 was a Southern Pacific reefer rather than a PFE reefer. It's one of the 20 inherited from EP&SW and used many years in company ice service. The placard identifies it as assigned to the passenger depot, similar to how most of these cars were placarded.
   

2. Tony Thompson                                       http://digital.denverlibrary.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p15330coll22/id/77222/rec/37
   

Paint

Lettering & Numbering

1. #27322 is one of the ex EP&SW reefers which became SP 37320-37339. The lettering in the panel reads
   

2. 
   

3. ICE SERVICE
   

4. UNION DEPOT
   

5. EL PASO
   

1. See PFE, Chapter 4, including a shot of #37325 in ice service at West Oakland (page 72).
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

1. Cars had the SP herald on one side, UP on the other until 1946 (UP logo with the Overland lettering was dropped 1942 - it was the simpler UP shield after that). Then both heralds side by side and smaller, the UP shield changed to black and white in 1950. Earlier color heralds were on some cars in the early 1950s.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

1. PFE R-30-9, were rebuilt cars from the older cars of classes R-40-2.
   

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 111-114
   

2.                                                                                (*see MM 5/86)
   

Drawings

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 112
   

Modeling R-40-2

MTH R-40-2 Reefer

1. The MTH model shown is as received RTR right out of the box. The door latch and rod are separate pieces as is the retainer valve and pipe and it has Carmer cut levers.
   

2. 
   

3. See the photo section under MTH reefer. This link may work:
   

4.                                                                 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Espee/photos/album/913608579/pic/list
   

5. Larry Castle
   

6. 
   

7. The first thing that needs replacement are those awful fat 110-tread wheel sets! A set of North West Short Line (NWSL) precision machined 88-tread semi-finescale 33" wheels with metal axles (unlike the bendable plastic axles found on Kadee wheels) should do nicely. A little weathering on the car will help too.
   

8. Rob Sarberenyi
   

9. 
   

10. The outside metal roof looks ok but the ice hatch latches appear to be molded flat and are lying on their side on the lateral platforms! Also the running board planks appear to run the entire length of the car, not how it should look. There should be many, shorter planks. Also on the end.
    

11. Tim O'Connor
    

Paint

1. The door hooks were not painted black. Also on the end, the brake staff, retainer line or top fascia board should not be black, they should be oxide red like the rest of the end.
   

2. 
   

3. A 1928 as-built R-40-2 car side should be the pre-1929 yellow-orange color, instead of the post-1929 Daylight orange color.
   

Tichy

1. The Tichy kit is very accurate for the original R-40-2. It can be used as a "stand-in" for the R-30-13 which also had a built up underframe. The Tichy R-40-2 has a built-up underframe with twin beams for the center sill. (It can be built with or without "safety appliances".) For late 1940's, this kit is more accurate for WP/PFE cars than for SP-UP/PFE cars!
   

2.  
   

3. It is accurate as original PFE R-40-2 to prewar (?)
   

4. Can be a stand-in  for R-30-13 PFE or WP to prewar.
   

5. It is too short for PFE rebuilds.
   

Paint

1. The paint scheme on the instruction sheet:    http://www.tichytraingroup.com/pdf/4024.pdf  is one of the earlier paint schemes.
   

1. "Daylight Orange" and BCR would be good starting points for paint, although some have suggested that the varnish used on wood cars added a yellow tint that darkened the paint slightly. "Reefer Orange" is too dark, though. Wood reefers should be just a hint darker than your metal PFE reefers. Tichy's instructions suggest 90% Daylight Orange, and 10% Rio Grande Yellow, although whose paints is a good question!
   

2. Arved G. Grass
   

Lettering & Numbering

Decals

Champ

1. For cars from 1950 to 1960, the instructions call for Champ decal set HR 190.
   

Clover House dry transfers

1. They have a set for the R-40-2 between 1930 and 1945 (9206-01).
   

Microscale

1. Microscale 87-414 (Pacific Fruit Express 40'Ice reefers, 1946-52 Scheme with colored heralds)
   

2. Microscale 87-501 (Refrigerator Car-Ice-40', 1950-1960.)
   

3. Microscale MC-4021 (PFE Ice Reefer with Overland heralds.)
   

R-40-4

1. # 38563 - 39062
   

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 111, 114, 115
   

Modeling R-40-4

Tichy

1. The Tichy R-40-4 kit is excellent. The very thin hatch cover latch bars are fragile, and in ordinary layout operation, sooner or later some of them break off. Use something much stronger than thin styrene for latch bars. I used flat brass wire in modeling open hatches.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

3.               
   

R-40-6Rebuilt

1. # 80101 - 80150
   

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 115, 118
   

R-40-8Rebuilt               

1. SP #71954-72353     were all renumbered  #90001-91021    Sep-Oct 1935
   

1. These cars were rebuilt from cars in classes R-30-8 through R-30-6. they were renumbered into the 71954-72353 series at this
   

2. time. In 1935 these cars were renumbered into the series 90001-91021.
   

References

1.                                                                                PFE Book, (2nd ed.), Table 6-2 (page 115), 118
   

2. 
   

PFE R-40-9

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 131
   

Modeling R-40-9

Kitbash

1. R-30/40-9 can be done with Red Caboose tall-body kits (or built-up cars from InterMountain). Will need appropriate underframe.
   

2. Dick Harley
   

Sunshine

1. Now offers R-40-9 rebuilds (the total number of kit variations is around 60 or 70!!). Sunshine offers a Western Pacific 1950's rebuilt car also.
   

2. 
   

PFE R-40-10

1. #41000
   

1. This was the first class of all-steel cars. The first PFE steel ice cars were built in 1936 and 1937, Class R-40-10.
   

2. It received steel grid running board in the 40’s.
   

3. Air circulating fans were added in the ‘50s.
   

4. R-40-10 were in ice service in the 1960s.
   

5. Tony Thompson
   

Details

Route Cards & Placard Boards

1. As was common for reefers of many owners at the time (1936-37), these cars had no placard board. Their route card board was on the side sill tab at the left bolster.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

Paint

1. Post - 1946 paint scheme
   

Lettering & Numbering

1. Post - 1946 two-emblem scheme
   

1. Every photo I have seen of an ice service car, showed the car keeping its original car number.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

References

1.                                                                              PFE Book, (2nd ed.), pg . 424
   

2.                                                                              (*see Mainline Modeler 12/94)
   

3.                (*see Model Railroader 6/01, pg. 20)
   

Modeling R-40-10

Athearn 

1. Older version Athearn 6 pack (is not an R-40-10, Single herald) which has glossy black underframe and trucks. Reefers had black underframes. The Athearn car numbers are all correct for the R-40-10 class. 
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

1. Richard Hendrickson’s long-gone Westrail company had made a resin W-corner-post end to fit the Athearn body. Fitting these to the Athearn bodies, the roofs and sides of which are very close to R-40-10 and -23, along with further detail upgrades, would make a reasonable car. Dispense with one the cast-on end ladders and brake staff.
   

2. 
   

3. The process is simply to disassemble the Athearn car, and saw the ends away from the roof. The roof still will be automatically centered on the body when reassembled with its interlocking over-door center piece. The new ends can be built and painted as separate parts, then glued onto the body.
   

4. Tony Thompson
   

5. 
   

Intermountain

1. They produced a PFE R-40-10 reefer model. You can make it in three versions. (1946, 1953 Express, 1962 schemes).
   

2. 
   

3. The Intermountain model needs to be modified by adding "fan plates" on the exterior. Use Intermountain semi-scale 33” brass wheels sets #40052. InterMountain is correct for the riveted underframes. The InterMountain R-40-10 is an extremely well-done model.
   

4. Tony Thompson
   

1. The Express Car Service Car version should also have: steam and signal lines for passenger service and marker light brackets in all corners.
   

2. The 1962 paint scheme should have electric fans. Note: electric fan controls should only be on one side near the "A" end of the car.
   

3. Dick Harley
   

Paint

1. 1946 Paint scheme - Daylight Orange - Box car red roof
   

2. 1953 Express Service Car - Dark Olive
   

3. 1962 Paint scheme - Daylight Orange with silver roof.
   

Lettering & Numbering

1. InterMountain Premium Line R-40-10 HO model comes in the June 1946 paint scheme.
   

2. Dick Harley
   

Reference

                                                                          http://harley-trains.smugmug.com/PFEModels/PFE-Steel-Ice-Reefer-Models/R-40-10                                                            

1. 
   

Walthers R-40-10

1. The Walthers cars appear to have mostly random numbers that don't seem to match to any particular class. 
   

PFE R-40-12

Modeling R-40-12

Sunshine

1. Now offers R-40-12 rebuilds (the total number of kit variations is around 60 or 70!!). Sunshine offers a Western Pacific 1950's rebuilt car also.
   

PFE R-40-14

1. There were 1000 cars in this class. These classes were built in 1941.They had W-corner-post ends, which are different from either the -10 or -23 ends. These cars were built without fans.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

Details

Route Cards & Placard Boards

1. R-40-14 and -20 classes had distinctive placard board locations as delivered, but if repainted later, the boards were often moved to whatever was the current location. These cars continued to have their route card boards at the left bolster, but a placard board, painted black, was applied to the right of the car door.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

Roof

1. The R-40-14 class had Equipco integral ice hatches and raised panel roofs.
   

Reference

    R.H. McFarland photo, Arnold Menke collection

Modeling R-40-14

Details

Ends

Details West

1. Details West part no. 1000 ends, are sharp-corner Dreadnaught ends. (fit the Intermountain car correctly)
   

2. Details West part no. 1001 ends, are round-corner Dreadnaught ends. (fit the Intermountain and Athearn cars correctly)
   

Ice Hatches

Details West

1. DW makes replacement Equipco ice hatches.
   

2. 
   

Athearn PFE R-40-23 Kitbash

1. They are actually not too bad a representation of PFE’s Class R-40-23, but certainly they can’t begin to compete with InterMountain’s version of the same class.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

1. Starting with an Athearn Blue Box steel reefer will not come close to the results of using the IRC car.
   

2. Dick Harley
   

1. A feature to be modeled is placard board position. R-40-14 and -20 classes had distinctive placard board locations as delivered, but if repainted later, the boards were often moved to whatever was the current location.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

1. I am choosing to upgrade a few old Athearn steel reefers as PFE cars; you can view it at this link: 
   

2. http://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/2012/08/ujpgrading-old-models-athearn-reefers.html .
   

3. The Athearn car sides and roof are close to correct for these classes, so the project primarily requires new car ends, along with further re-detailing to upgrade the Athearn body. As the original ends are among the shortcomings of the Athearn steel reefer, replacing them is a positive step. Replacement the “drop” grab irons with Westerfield straight grab irons, and add correct placard boards, following by a gray airbrushed primer coat. Replace the rather thick Athearn sill steps. Use A-Line metal steps for this, and employ a “filler block” technique, with small lengths of scale 4 x 4-inch styrene blocks, as I showed at: http://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/2011/12/modeling-project-m-box-car.html ).
   

4. 
   

5. Since the R-40-14 and -20 cars had center steps exactly like the corner steps, the A-Line parts were used for all three steps on each car side. The ends were cut from the Athearn roof-end part, since ends were to be replaced. This is a simple job and results in a clean, freestanding roof. Modify the Athearn ice hatches by cutting down their gross hinges and removing the oversize latch bars. Install a Plano etched metal running board.
   

6. 
   

7. Airbrush the sides Daylight Orange. As explained in the PFE book, this color was chosen by PFE in 1929 for refrigerator car sides, long before the color scheme for the Daylight train. A genuine advantage of the Athearn reefer body design is that the separate sides are easy to paint a different color, no masking required.
   

8. Tony Thompson
   

9. 
   

Intermountain

1. The best way to model the PFE class R-40-14 cars in HO is to start with an InterMountain R-40-10. Stan Rydarowicz sells a kit with the necessary parts.  Stan provides the InterMountain R-40-10 body, underframe and trucks, the IRC R-40-23 roof and hatches, Tichy running board, and cast resin ends. Use the Details West ends as they are the correct width but too thick and need to be thinnned to be used on this model. InterMountain is correct for the riveted underframes on the R-40-14 classes.
   

2. For more info:                                                 http://www.sunshinekits.com/stanpage.html
   

3. Dick Harley
   

Reference

                                                                          http://harley-trains.smugmug.com/PFEModels/PFE-Steel-Ice-Reefer-Models/R-40-14          

                                                       

Marklin / Trix

1. Its an okay model. It has the goofy Trix/Marklin swinging coupler. The ice hatches are undersized. Replace them with Intermountain parts.
   

2. Steve Orth
   

3. 
   

4. One could do a better R-40-14 and still be cheaper than the Trix cars. The Accurail 40' steel box car floors are almost a drop in fit. Toss the Trix floor.
   

5. Tim O'Connor
   

6. 
   

7. The Marklin/Trix HO model has serious shortcomings that would be very hard to fix.
   

8.     Nice sides and ends, but poor roof and underframe.
   

9.     Very small ice hatches on Trix model shown with PFE drawing of roof.
   

10.     Raised roof panels have poor shape.
    

11.     Too wide.
    

12. Dick Harley
    

13. 
    

PFE R-40-15

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 136, 137
   

2. 
   

PFE R-40-16

Modeling R-40-16

Intermountain

1. Intermountain Railway Co. recently acquired parts from Terry Wegmann's Pacific FREIGHT EQUIPMENT line is now available as an assembled painted and lettered Chinese RTR model. This offering is the PFE single Herald scheme with the SP herald on one side and the UP shield on the other side. Comes equipped with Kadee #5 couplers, and has metal wheelsets. An assembled model, is offered at $25.00, (MSRP of $32.95.} There are 12 different numbers being offered: #6002; 60072; 60196; 60271; 61384; 61597; 61705; 61806; 62034; 62237; 62450;and 62500. Shipping is $4.95/ 1st car, add $1.50 for each additional car. For 6 or more cars shipping is $2.20 per car. If interested, you can contact me off list.   
   

2. Andy Carlson
   

Red Caboose

1. For Terry's Red Caboose/Wegmann Hybrid reefer kit.
   

2.     contact:                         mid-century@sbcglobal.net
   

Sunshine

1. Now offers R-40-16 rebuilds (the total number of kit variations is around 60 or 70!!). Sunshine offers a Western Pacific 1950's rebuilt car also.
   

2. 
   

PFE R-40-18

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 140
   

Modeling R-40-18

Intermountain

1. A Terry Wegmann PFE R-40-18 HO kit which Intermountain Railway Co. is going to bring out as a factory assembled kit.
   

Sunshine

1. Now offers R-40-18 rebuilds (the total number of kit variations is around 60 or 70!!). Sunshine offers a Western Pacific 1950's rebuilt car also.
   

2. 
   

PFE R-40-19

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Ftuit Express, pg. 140, 143
   

Modeling R-40-19

Intermountain

    HO scale PFE wood-sheathed refrigerator cars.

Sunshine

1. Now offers R-40-19 rebuilds (the total number of kit variations is around 60 or 70!!). Sunshine offers a Western Pacific 1950's rebuilt car also.
   

2. 
   

PFE R-40-20

1. There were 1000 cars in this class. These classes were built in 1945. They had W-corner-post ends, which are different from either the -10 or -23 ends.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

Details

Placard Board & Route Cards

1. R-40-14 and -20 classes had distinctive placard board locations as delivered, but if repainted later, the boards were often moved to whatever was the current location. Now a smaller board was added to the left of the door, with the placard board still on the right. The route card board was again installed at the left bolster.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

Modeling R-40-20

Athearn PFE R-40-23 Kitbash

1. Richard Hendrickson’s long-gone Westrail company had made a resin W-corner-post end to fit the Athearn body. Fitting these to the Athearn bodies, the roofs and sides of which are very close to R-40-10 and -23, along with further detail upgrades, would make a reasonable car. Dispense with one the cast-on end ladders and brake staff.
   

2. 
   

3. The process is simply to disassemble the Athearn car, and saw the ends away from the roof. The roof still will be automatically centered on the body when reassembled with its interlocking over-door center piece. The new ends can be built and painted as separate parts, then glued onto the body.
   

4. Tony Thompson
   

1. I am choosing to upgrade a few old Athearn steel reefers as PFE cars; you can view it at this link: 
   

2. http://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/2012/08/ujpgrading-old-models-athearn-reefers.html .
   

3. The Athearn car sides and roof are close to correct for these classes, so the project primarily requires new car ends, along with further re-detailing to upgrade the Athearn body. As the original ends are among the shortcomings of the Athearn steel reefer, replacing them is a positive step. Replacement the “drop” grab irons with Westerfield straight grab irons, and add correct placard boards, following by a gray airbrushed primer coat. Replace the rather thick Athearn sill steps. Use A-Line metal steps for this, and employ a “filler block” technique, with small lengths of scale 4 x 4-inch styrene blocks, as I showed at: http://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/2011/12/modeling-project-m-box-car.html ).
   

4. 
   

5. Since the R-40-14 and -20 cars had center steps exactly like the corner steps, the A-Line parts were used for all three steps on each car side. The ends were cut from the Athearn roof-end part, since ends were to be replaced. This is a simple job and results in a clean, freestanding roof. Modify the Athearn ice hatches by cutting down their gross hinges and removing the oversize latch bars. Install a Plano etched metal running board.
   

6. 
   

7. Airbrush the sides Daylight Orange. As explained in the PFE book, this color was chosen by PFE in 1929 for refrigerator car sides, long before the color scheme for the Daylight train. A genuine advantage of the Athearn reefer body design is that the separate sides are easy to paint a different color, no masking required.
   

8. Tony Thompson
   

Intermountain

1. Use components of the Stan Rydarowicz R-40-14/20 HO kit. Stan provides the InterMountain R-40-10 body, underframe and trucks, the IRC R-40-23 roof and hatches, Tichy running board, and cast resin ends.
   

2. For more info,                                                 http://www.sunshinekits.com/stanpage.html
   

3. Dick Harley
   

Reference

1. There have been articles how to backdate the car to somewhat accurate R-40-20 cars.
   

2. 
   

PFE R-40-21

Modeling R-40-21

Sunshine

1. Now offers R-40-21 rebuilds (the total number of kit variations is around 60 or 70!!). Sunshine offers a Western Pacific 1950's rebuilt car also.
   

Tichy

   The Tichy (R-40-21) under frame is the built up design.

1. Bruce Smith
   

2. 
   

PFE R-40-23

1. #46703 – 47202 (500 cars) were built by American Car and Foundry Company (ACF) between July and November 1947
   

2. #47203 – 47702 (500 cars) were built by General American Transportation Company (GATC) between July and November 1947
   

3. #47703 – 48202 (500 cars) were built by Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Company (P-S) between April and June 1947
   

4. #48203 – 48702 (500 cars) were built by Pacific Car and Foundry Company (PC&F) between June and October 1947
   

5.   #5001 –   6000 (1000 cars) were built by The Mount Vernon Car Manufacturing Company
   

6.   #6001 –   6500 (500 cars) were built by American Car and Foundry Company (ACF)
   

7.   #7001 –   7500 (500 cars) were built by Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Company (P-S)
   

8.   #7501 –   8000 (500 cars) were built by Pacific Car and Foundry Company (PC&F)
   

1. In 1947, PFE’s largest class of steel cars was built.
   

2. It has the 3-3 dreadnought ends.
   

Details

Placard Board & Route Cards

1. The placard board was moved to the left of the car door and a little higher, and the smaller board seen on Class R-40-20 was omitted. The route card board was applied at the left bolster.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

Running Boards & Brake Steps

1. Morton,         #6001-8000, 46703-48702
   

2. U.S.Gypsum, #5001-6000
   

Hand Brakes

1. Ajax,         #5001-5250, 7501-8000, 48203-48702
   

2. Equipco,   #6001-6500, 6751-7000, 46703-47202
   

3. Universal, #5751-6000, 7001-7500, 47703-48202
   

4. Miner,      #5251-5750, 47203-47452
   

5. Superior,  #6501-6750, 47453-47702
   

Air Brakes

1. New York,       #5500-5999, 6001-7500, 46703-48202
   

2. Westinghouse, #5001-5499, 6000, 7501-8000, 48203-48702
   

Door Fasteners

1. Miner,      #5001-7000, 46703-47202
   

2. Universal, #7001-8000, 47203-48702
   

Roof

1. The R-40-23 class had Equipco integral ice hatches and raised panel roofs.
   

Paint

1. Most R-40-23's would be repainted by the late 1950's.
   

Hardware

1. The R-40-23 cars were originally painted with black hardware and tack boards.
   

Underframe

1. Reefers had black underframes.
   

Lettering & Numbering

1. A few rebuilt wood reefers received Gothic lettering too. PFE ice reefer service ended around 1970.
   

Herald

1. Originally, R-40-23s were painted with a color UP herald. Don’t confuse this logo with the 1969 logo, which uses a more modern lettering style. Most R-40-23's would be repainted by the late 1950's so the colorful UP herald would be unusual by then.
   

2. Arved Grass
   

1. Cars (re)painted after 1950 had the black and white logo, shown in the lead photograph. PFE adopted a black and transparent version of UP’s revised 1950 logo when it was made official.
   

2. Arved Grass
   

1. In the PFE book chapter about steel cars and you will see that 3000 of the 5000 cars in Class R-40-23 were numbered 5001-8000.
   

2. Tony Thompson  
   

Reference

1. Wilbur C. Whittaker photo
   

2.                                                                         Pacific Fruit Express, 2nd edition, page 173
   

Modeling R-40-23

PFE/WP Steel Rebuilds?

1. An HO R-40-23 type PFE steel sided ice refrigerator car factory lettered for a "WP 52000+/-". There were WP cars in the 52000 series but they were wood cars w/ 30T underframes. There weren’t any WP R-40-23's, nor were there any rebuild programs that would produce such a car. This was a bogus factory paint scheme. All of the WP contributions to the PFE fleet were wood body cars. The ones that were rebuilt were not retrofitted with steel bodies except for the basic framework that would not be visible on a completed car.
   

Athearn PFE reefer  R-40-23

1. Older version Athearn 6 pack single herald is not an R-40-10, but the car numbers are all correct for the R-40-10 class. The model  has a glossy black underframe and trucks. Reefers had black underframes. The Athearn steel car had R-40-23 numbers, a class to which it was far closer than R-40-10. They are actually not too bad a representation of PFE’s Class R-40-23, but certainly they can’t begin to compete with InterMountain’s version of the same class.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

1. Richard Hendrickson’s long-gone Westrail company had made a resin W-corner-post end to fit the Athearn body. Fitting these to the Athearn bodies, the roofs and sides of which are very close to R-40-10 and -23, along with further detail upgrades, would make a reasonable car. Dispense with one the cast-on end ladders and brake staff. Other upgrades, include a etched metal Morton running board, wire grabs, and fan shafts; in addition, add the placard board originally applied to this class, painted black at that time, and a route card board at the bolster.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

1. Most older car kits have lots of limitations, particularly many of the Athearn “blue box” line of easily assembled freight cars. That certainly applies to the refrigerator cars, both the all-steel car (clearly modeled on the Pacific Fruit Express Class R-40-23) and the wood-side car, basically the steel car with different sides. Any of these cars requires a lot of work, which still can’t fix all the shortcomings, and so may well not be worth it by modern modeling standards. There can be extenuating circumstances, like paint schemes. Upgraded the Athearn box cars, with improved doors, running boards, brake wheels, grab irons and sill steps, etc. As always, the cast-on sill steps of the Athearn body, among the most oversize and most evident features, had to be replaced with metal parts. The car sides needed placard boards; the B end needed an extended brake step and decent brake wheel; the underframe needed the usual brake gear reversal; and the roof needed a steel grid running board and complete ice hatch rebuild. That is all pretty routine stuff for Athearn reefers. The paint scheme does hold up by today’s standards. The only things worth pointing out, are the Tuttle Industries sill steps at car corners, and the InterMountain plastic “double steps” under the door. The latter steps were applied to nearly all cars of PFE Class R-40-23, and are available in InterMountain’s refrigerator car detail set, part no. 40500-10. Athearn model though it is, the upgraded details raise it above its original state.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

1. Upgrades, including a etched-metal Morton running board, wire grabs, and fan shafts; in addition, add the placard board originally applied to this class, painted black at that time, and a route card board at the bolster.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

3. 
   

Evergreen Roundhouse

1. Back in the 1980s, Bill Metzger of Evergreen Roundhouse produced a number of custom decorated Athearn cars, including several Union Pacific box cars and some PFE R-40-23 cars. All had excellent paint schemes, featuring quite accurate lettering from high-standard artwork. You can improve the Athearn box cars more, with improved doors, running boards, brake wheels, grab irons and sill steps, etc. The PFE kits, had Bill’s label on the end of the blue box.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

3. 
   

Intermountain

1. There have been articles how to backdate the car to somewhat accurate R-40-10/14/20 cars and postdate it to an R-40-25.
   

2. The new kit-IM R-40-23 is a reasonably accurate model of the PFE reefer.
   

3. Check old kits carefully, as there was a time they were lettering both classes R-40-23 & BR-40-10 on one carbody before they had separate kits.
   

4. Tony Thompson
   

Paint

1. IM R-40-23’s all-green express reefer paint scheme is a fantasy on a -23 body. This scheme was only done on R-40-10s which had been upgraded (shown, of course, in the PFE book in some detail).
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

3. 
   

MTH

1. While labeled a "40' Steel Sided Reefer Car" and lettered as an R-40-23, this car from MTH is really a plywood sided R-40-24.
   

2. Dick Harley
   

Reference

                                                                          http://harley-trains.smugmug.com/PFEModels/PFE-Steel-Ice-Reefer-Models/R-40-23

Plano Model Products

1. R-40-23 Reefer Roofwalk - Morton Pattern - applied to InterMountain Car  $2.25 each
   

2. 157 S Pueblo Ave
   

3. Ojai CA 93023
   

4. 
   

Walthers PFE reefer  R-40-23

1. The Walthers cars appear to have random numbers that don't seem to match to any particular class.
   

2. 
   

R-40-24

    #65921-68500

    They had straight and diagonal roofs.

Paint

    1952 paint scheme

Lettering & Numbering

    Black - white medallion

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 145
   

Drawings

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 146
   

Modeling R-40-24

Kitbash

1. R-30/40-24 (both plywood and T&G siding versions) can be done with Sunshine kits or Stan Rydarowicz kits.
   

2. Dick Harley
   

Athearn

1. The Athearn 40-ft wood reefer as an R-30/40-24 is poor. Overhanging roof is wrong; Ends are wrong; Door is wrong; Side Sills
   

2. are wrong; Underframe is wrong; Hatches are crude; Running Board is crude; Grab Irons & Ladders are crude.
   

3. Dick Harley
   

1. 
   

R-40-25

1. Built in 1949.
   

Details

Placard Board & Route Cards

1. Now the placard board remained as in Class R-40-23, but was joined by a smaller board below it. Both boards were now painted orange. The bolster location of a route card board was retained.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

Paint

1. Most R-40-25's would be repainted by the late 1950's.
   

Hardware

1. The R-40-25 cars were originally painted with black hardware and tack boards.
   

Underframe

1. Reefers had black underframes.
   

Lettering & Numbering

1. A few rebuilt wood reefers received Gothic lettering too.
   

2. Most R-40-25's would be repainted by the late 1950's so the colorful UP herald would be unusual by then.
   

3. 
   

4. Cars (re)painted after 1950 had the black and white logo, shown in the lead photograph. PFE adopted a black and transparent version of UP’s revised 1950 logo when it was made official.
   

5. Arved Grass
   

Modeling R-40-25

Challenger

1. Challenger Imports Ltd. makes a brass HO model.
   

Lettering & Numbering

1. Challenger’s. brass HO model has an incorrect lettering style.
   

2. Dick Harley
   

Intermountain (Amarillo R.R. Museum)

1. The R-40-25 project is very easy thanks to Walther's. Take the diagonal panel roof from their new GARX reefer (which is a good model of an ART postwar car). (Use the leftover Intermountain roof and the Walther's body and other parts to create a prewar ART reefer.)
   

Reference

                                                                          http://harley-trains.smugmug.com/PFEModels/PFE-Steel-Ice-Reefer-Models/R-40-23

1. 
   

R-40-26

    #8001–10000

1. PFE designed Class R-40-26 built in 1952. There were 2000 cars of Class R-40-26. The mechanical forces of PFE in the 1940s and 1950s had a warm relationship with their counterparts at FGE, partly because the two competed directly almost nowhere, and also because the mechanical staffs of the two organizations hit it off and got along well together.
   

1. The roof has the diagonal-panel design. The side sill of the PFE prototype is “tabbed”. The PFE car has a round black “fan plate.” The PFE car has double rivet rows (there was a hat-shaped post behind each PFE panel seam, and the side sheets were riveted to both “feet” of the hat). It was the first design to use the sliding plug door instead of the flush hinged leaf design that was common up to this point. Other spotting features include improved Dreadnaught ends with the one ‘squished’ rib, and plain lapped side sheets with single rivet rows.
   

Details

Door

1. The plug door car is specifically a WFEX car.
   

Placard Board & Route Cards

1. This class had board locations duplicating those of Class R-40-25, including the route card board; all boards were now orange. When a car was shopped in the years after its construction, it normally would have its placard and other boards applied or moved in accord with current practice at that time. Thus older cars in a year like 1953 would mostly have updated board locations. Older cars with paint schemes from later years should definitely have placard board patterns matching the era of the paint scheme.
   

Roofwalk

1. Most R-40-26s had Morton brand, with  the round hole pattern.
   

Fan Plates

1. Fan plates were on both sides of the cars. There is only a fan control box below the side sill on the left side.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

Hand Brakes

1. This class had Ajax hand brakes.
   

Paint

1. The fan plates on each side are black.
   

Lettering & Numbering

The lettering scheme postdates PFE’s discontinuation of the one-inch stripes above the initials and below the car number, which occurred in February 1952. The R-40-26 class was built over a span of time from summer 1951 into the spring of 1952, so the last cars built were painted this way.

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg.
   

Drawings

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg.
   

Modeling R-40-26

Accurail

1. To model a PFE Class R-40-26 reefer from the new Accurail plug-door model see the kitbash feature at:
   

                                                                                  http://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/2012/06/kitbashing-pfe-r-40-26.html

1. The Accurail HO scale steel refrigerator car with plug (or sliding) doors car is intended to represent a Fruit Growers Express car, but has a lot of similarities to PFE’s Class R-40-26, the first plug-door production cars built for PFE. The side sill of the PFE prototype is “tabbed” rather than straight, which is easy to fix with some judicious cutting and filing of the model’s side sill. The PFE car has a round black “fan plate,” a dummy reminder that the car had fans, and a fan control box below the side sill. It also has differently located placard and route card boards. Each of these details would need to be added to model the PFE car.
   

2. 
   

3. The Accurail car side has single rivet rows at each side sheet panel edge, while the PFE car has double rivet rows (there was a hat-shaped post behind each PFE panel seam, and the side sheets were riveted to both “feet” of the hat). For many modelers, this would definitely be something to ignore, but it too is fixable. The answer is Archer rivets. These are three-dimensional resin objects deposited on decal film. You apply them like any decal (taking care not to knock them off the surface). The set that has the closest wider-spacing rivet rows is Archer HO Surface Details 25 (there is also a set 30, which is for Alternate Center Rivets as on box cars). You can purchase them on-line at:                     www.archertransfers.com.
   

4. 
   

5. The roof is the correct diagonal-panel design, with the right number and style of panels, and the end is actually very good overall. The only discrepancy is that the Accurail end has poling pockets, while the PFE car does not, and they are easily removed from the model.
   

6. Tony Thompson
   

Accurail 8500 Series 40? Steel Plug Door Refrigerator Car KITBASH   by Arved Grass

1. Things that need attention:
   

2. 1. The model lacks the bearing blocks for the PRECO circulating fans (the round detail on the bottom left hand side of the car). This can be corrected with the addition of a Details Associate’s #215 Refrigerator Car Details w/PRECO fan.
   

3. 2. Placement of the tack board. (The Details West kit mentioned above includes tack boards, defect card holder, and other side details.
   

4. 3. The model is equipped with polling pockets, while PFE had abandoned this feature by the time the R-40-26 was built.
   

5. The model has a single row of rivets for the side panel seams, where the R-40-26 has two rows, with the second row alternating. Use Archer Alternative Center Rivets for Freight Cars (P/N AR88030).
   

6. 5. The lower door track is much too heavy. Since I’m not fond of replacing the door hardware (with what?), I’m going to live with this discrepancy.
   

7. 6. The model is missing the door stops to prevent the door from sliding (open) beyond the end of the track.
   

8. Then there’s the usual detail and modification work: replacement of the plastic stirrup steps with A-Line formed metal parts, elimination of the S-scale coupler pocket, Plano Models etched brass roofwalks, and other underframe details.
   

9. 7. The straight side sill of the model is incorrect. The back of the side has guides for cutting the side sill though not perfect.
   

10. Arved Grass
    

1. The kit’s roof walk is a very nice cast Apex brand, with the slotted pattern. Not quite as nicely detailed as, say, the Tichy running boards, but nice. Most R-40-26s had Morton brand, with  the round hole pattern. Plano roofwalks are suitable for all the R-40-x 40? PFE Reefers.
   

2. Arved Grass
   

1. Remove the molded on grab irons, including the ladder rungs. Use Tichy Train Group #3062 ladder rungs. Locate and drill the hole to mount the PRECO circulating fan bearing block. Drill out the mounting hole with a #30 bit. Apply the PRECO ventilator fan bearing block, the defect card holder, the tackboard, and other details. Apply an Archer Rivet set that has the closest wider-spacing rivet rows (Archer HO Surface Details 25). Add a rivet above and below each of the grab irons on the left hand side of the carbody, and one above and one below the vertical grab iron next to the door. These represent the bolts that fasten these items to the car. Door stops were added using Evergreen #261 channel cut to size. With the glue completely dry, shave the taper in the flanges of the C section. Grab irons will wait until paint and lettering (decal) application. Next will be the ends and roof.
   

2. Arved Grass
   

Paint

1. If you were doing all these corrections, you would probably have to repaint the model. The color does not match the color chip for PFE orange in the back of the PFE book (Thompson, Church and Jones, Pacific Fruit Express, 2nd Edition, Signature Press, 2000). An Accurail representative has confirmed the incorrect color (and apologized). If that is bothersome, you may want to repaint anyway. 
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

1. Use good, old fashioned oven cleaner to remove the paint. 90% Isopropyl Alcohol only softened the paint Accurail used. Instead start with an undecorated kit (#8500 undecorated reefer kit).
   

2. Arved Grass
   

Lettering & Numbering

Decals

Microscale

1. Re-letter with Microscale decals. Set 87-501 does a good if not great job.
   

2. The car lacks the one-inch black stripe above and below the reporting marks.
   

3. The use of these stripes would be discontinued by PFE in the spring of 1952 per the AAR, about the time construction of R-40-26 cars was completed.
   

4. Tony Thompson
   

1. On this car, the SP logo should be on the B-end (or Brakewheel end) of the car, and the UP logo should be on the A end of the car. The logos are properly reversed. If you can live with the much darker Reefer Orange paint, you’re set!
   

2. Arved Grass
   

Reference

1. Steven Otte gave a favorable review of this car.         Model Railroader, June 2012, pg. 72.
   

2. 
   

Athearn Kitbash

1. Frank Hodina cast some parts for converting an Athearn reefer to an R-40-26.  He made up the correct 1R+3/3 ends for the car (except that they should not have poling pockets—these are easily removed), along with a correct six-foot plug door and a diagonal-panel roof in resin. You have to taper the top of the door casting on the inside to clear the roof. Some new styrene pieces are needed too, both to represent the top door track, and backing for a new segment of side sill. Remove the over-thick Athearn sill steps, and add the two-rung step beneath the door, with InterMountain refrigerator car detail set (part no. P40500-10) contains the wide, two-rung step under the door. That set also contains a fan control box, which goes on the left side only of Class R-40-26 cars. From Class R-40-23 onward, PFE installed straight grab irons. Represent these with Westerfield brass wire grabs. The corner sill steps are the A-Line “Style C”. Add the route card boards on the left bolster “tab” on each car side, using scale 1 x 4-inch styrene.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

1. Detail up the Hodina ends, after removing the poling pockets. This class had Ajax hand brakes plus the brake platform supports, from an InterMountain boxcar detail set. End ladders are InterMountain reefer ladders. Add the roof (including its Plano Morton running board, attached with canopy cement).
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

1. Next assemble. I carefully centered the roof lengthwise on the body, and since the roof exactly rests on the little ledge inside the Athearn sides, I could simply glue it on with canopy glue. Complete the center segment of the side sills, using scale 1 x 6-inch styrene. Add the ends, using canopy glue. Attach the Athearn underframe, and reverse the mirror-image Athearn arrangement of brake parts. Use Kadee No. 58 couplers. The last modeling task was the end supports for the running board. Fabricate these from Evergreen scale 1 x 2-inch or 1 x 3-inch styrene strip, and use the same for the running board crosspiece.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

Paint

1. Spray the car body with Model Master Primer Gray. Gray primer can act as a “witness coat,” and is a great chance to check all modeling details and correct any flaws, before adding the final color. Airbrush the body with Daylight Orange. Completed ends were then airbrushed boxcar red, along with the roof (including its Plano Morton running board).
   

Lettering & Numbering

Decals

Microscale

1. The completed body was given a good coat of gloss finish to prepare it for decaling. The kitbashed model was lettered using a mixture of Microscale and old Champ decals. Do end lettering prior to assembly of the ends onto the body, to permit decal application with the ends flat on the workbench.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

Challenger

1. Back in the 1990s, Challenger Imports brought in a brass version of this car. A black dummy “fan plate” was not shown on this side, only on the other side, which is incorrect; fan plates were on both sides of the cars. There prototype has only a fan control box below the side sill on the left side. The model has control boxes on both sides. On the left side, keep its fan control box; on the other side cut off with a Dremel cut-off disk and the side sill contour corrected with jeweler’s files. Add a route card board on the left bolster.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

1. Kitbash using resin parts. For the first of these, in a recent post I discussed correcting, repainting and re-lettering my Challenger brass model of the -26 class (see it at this link):
   

                                                                            http://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/2013/05/correcting-brass-model-of-pfe-car.html

Paint

1. The color of the sides were a pretty reddish orange. The obvious solution is, repaint the sides only. Start with a light gray overspray to hide the Challenger lettering, Airbrush the sides with Floquil Daylight Orange. The fan plates on each side are black.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

Lettering & Numbering

1. The lettering was really poor. In addition to the poor railroad emblems (the UP one should have a white border, and the SP lettering is way too fat), the lettering overall is poorly applied. The type face has heavy serifs and a very heavy vertical stroke. Re-letter with some of the decals available.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

Decals

Microscale

1. The best available decals today are in Microscale set 87-501, use for the medallions, and set 87-414, use for most other lettering (dimensional and capacity data groups in 87-501 are severely undersize). If you haven’t seen the current version of either set and are remembering them from 20 years ago, you will be surprised to find that, despite upgrades, they still have the badly undersize data lettering. But the black and white UP medallions are good, and some other items are usable. Both sets are scheduled for an upgrade.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

Champ

1. Use a few items from the old Champ SHS-190 “superset”.
   

Intermountain  (Kitbash)

1. Use components of the Stan Rydarowicz / InterMountain R-40-26 HO kit.
   

2. Roof and underframe is from InterMountain R-40-25 kit.
   

3. InterMountain R-40-25 body has its sides removed. Sides and ends are resin castings.
   

4. Use the AccuRail 40' Steel Plug Door.
   

5. Dick Harley
   

Reference

                                                                          http://harley-trains.smugmug.com/PFEModels/PFE-Steel-Ice-Reefer-Models/R-40-26

Sunshine

1. Sunshine Models has long offered a very good R-40-26 kit, and in terms of both accuracy and refinement of detail, is a superior model to either the Accurail kitbash or the Challenger brass car.
   

R-40-27

1. Class ice reefers built in 1956, with one 4’ plug and one 2’ swing door per side. Plug doors were centered and moved to the left, the swing doors to their right and adjoining. The number series was 10001-11700. They were the next to last ice bunker cars built for PFE.
   

2. 
   

R-40-28

1. Ice reefers class last ice cars built in 1957. One preserved at the Ca. State R.R. Museum in Sacramento, another at Children's’ Museum, La Habra.
   

2. 
   

3. PFE Steel Side Reefers
   

4.                                                                                (*see MM 2/95) 
   

5.                           (*see MM 10/95)
   

Lettering & Numbering

1. 50’ cars had pre ‘54 lettering          (*see RMC 4/88)
   

2.                   post ‘54 lettering
   

3. Lettering stenciled on their roofs, on one side of the roof wall, at the center of the car, were the instructions to the ice men, in 3” white lettering: “CHUNK ICE”.
   

Modeling R-40-28

Challenger

Lettering & Numbering

Decals  

Champs

1. express reefers
   

2. 
   

R-50-1

    # 100001 - 100400

    Built 1930 by PC&F.

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 111, 119, 121
   

Drawings

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 120
   

Modeling R-50-1

Westerfield

R-50-1-2  Rebuilt

    # 100036

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 128, 148, 149
   

R-50-1-3  Rebuilt

    # 100476 - 100500

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 128
   

R-50-1-4  Rebuilt

    # 100401 - 100475

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 128
   

R-50-5  Rebuilt

    #200301 - 200375

    #200379 - 200587

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 126, 128, 150
   

Modeling R-50-5

Sunshine

R-70-1

    # 200001 - 200100

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 111, 121
   

R-70-2

    # 200001 - 200100

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 116, 121, 123-125
   

Drawings

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 122
   

R-70-3

    # 200101 - 200120

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 116, 121
   

R-70-4

    # 200121 - 200125

References

1.                                                                                Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 128, 150-152
   

R-70-5

    #200126-200200    built ' in May-June, 1952

    #200601-200700    built in Dec. 1953 and Jan.-Feb. 1954.

These cars were built as 'RS' type bunker refrigerator cars. They were known as 'SUPERS' on account of their extra length, 50 feet instead of 40 feet which was standard for RS type cars. These cars were then quickly rebuilt into ' RP' type mechanical refrigerators in 1955 and re numbered as follows;

    #200601-200700

    #300338-300412

    #300413-300512

In January 1977 all cars in class R-70-5 were retired.

Details

Card Holder

1. The card holder above the Preco cover plate is only on the right side of the car (as you look at the B (brake wheel) end.
   

Lettering & Numbering

Some cars were reclassified were renumbered again, this time to #390338-390512 in the 1970s. These cars were used only for loading of commodities which required only ice over the load. Known as top ice vegetable service, the cars had a stencil applied on each side in black letters on a white rectangle 'FOR TIV /DLO SERVICE ONLY'.

Modeling R-70-5

Athearn Kitbash

1. If you want to model the “top ice vegetable service cars”, TrainLife reprinted a how-to article from that same issue of PROTOTYPE MODELER by James L. Scott:                        http://www.trainlife.com/articles/776/pfe-r-70-5-ice-bunker-reefer
   

2. The basis for the model is an Athearn No. 1624 undecorated 50-foot mechanical reefer.
   

3. Bob Chaparro
   

Paint

Floquil Colors

1. Paint the sides with Floquil No. 134 Daylight Orange, plus the four grabirons for the left end of each side.
   

2. Paint the ends with Floquil Box Car Red.
   

3. Paint the roof, roof walk, hatches, and corner grab irons with Floquil No. 100 Old Silver.
   

4. Paint the underframe, minus the fuel tanks, trucks, and coupler covers with Floquil No. 10 Engine Black.
   

Tru-Colors

1. Substitute the above Floquil colors with the corresponding Tru-Color ones.
   

Lettering & Numbering

Decals

Champ

1. Champ No. HR19, using 'Pacific Fruit Express', PFE without the periods, the car number and end lettering.
   

2. Champ set No. HR61, using the dimensional data and the capacity data was gotten from, which isn't perfect.
   

3. Champ set No. HDll, using the capacity data, which isn't perfect.
   

PFE Mechanical Reefers

1. All SP owned 57 ft mechanical reefers had Hydra cushion underframes.
   

2. Tim O'Connor
   

Paint

    White SPFE Reefers

Lettering & Numbering

1. The SPFE cars had two white schemes before the introduction of the colored emblems was about 1990. The first one was 1981 The color logos came into play more toward the end (especially after SP went back to the "SP Lines" title) whereas the earlier white reefers focussed more on the PFE script and no logo.  Example,  the "PACIFIC FRUIT EXPRESS" stacked and staggered look with no logo was for the early white reefers.
   

2. Tony Thompson    
   

Modeling PFE Reefers:

Athearn

Con-Cor

Lima (AHM)

Red Caboose

1.                (*see RMC 1/88, pg. 76 Thompson)
   

2. 
   

R-70-8

1. Class R-70-8 were built in 195?.
   

References

1.     See the R-70-8                                                   http://www.railgoat.railfan.net/spcars/byclass/reefer/r070-08.htm
   

2.                                                                               Pacific Fruit Express, pg.
   

Modeling R-70-8

Athearn

1. Athearn 50 mechanical refer numbered 300207. The Athearn reefer is based on the PFE R-70-8. However, the prototype had TWO different ends, and a ZU eave roof.
   

2. 
   

PFE R-70-9

1. PFE 300138-300337 were Class R-70-9 and were built in 1954-1955.
   

References

1. For some prototype photos and info, see the following:
   

2.                                             http://www.railgoat.railfan.net/spcars/byclass/reefer/r070-09.htm
   

3.                                                                               Pacific Fruit Express, pg.
   

Modeling R-70-9

Athearn

1. Athearn 50 mechanical refer numbered 300207. The Athearn reefer is based on the PFE R-70-8. However, the prototype had TWO different ends, and a ZU eave roof. If you like I can send you some scans of Frank Hodina's beautiful bash of this model to correctly model the PFE prototype.
   

Pacific H.O. / Silver Streak PFE 50' reefer

1. A "Golden Spike Series" PFE 50' refer kit. It's a flat kit, "painted with floquil" orange, poor printing. Wire grabs, separate ladders & roof walk. Model is numbered 300208 and has "new 9-63" stencil (no way). It has a 7' wide plug door that come up 18" short of the roofline. Otherwise it resembles the Athearn reefer, at least from the side. PFE had no mechanical reefers with 7-foot doors, and even their earliest ones had doors which reached right to the top of the car side.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

PFE R-70-12 Mechanical Reefer 

    #301213 to 302212       

    renumbered  #351213-352212 in 1968, the second digit of the car number was changed from "0" to "5" on all cars.

1. The 1000 cars of Class R-70-12 were built in 1960. In 1968, their early-model load dividers were removed.
   

1. The R-70-12 had outside posts, and a distinctive diagonal brace on each side of the door. This is clearly shown in the PFE book.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

Lettering & Numbering

1. The R-70-12s built starting April 1960 through the end of the year had the "Southern Pacific Lines" medallion (shown on p. 211 of "Pacific Fruit Express,").
   

2. Arved Grass
   

3. 
   

4. If  the 1975 era, there weren’t ANY -12 cars in the 300,000 series numbers, having the black square containing the white PFE and road number. The black square with white road numbers was introduced in 1966. In 1969, the white initial letters in the road name were introduced.
   

5. Tony Thompson
   

References

1.                                                                               Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 211
   

Modeling R-70-12

Athearn (old)

1. It’s a bluebox kit, with a smooth side version lettered as a R-70-12.
   

Athearn (new)

1. Athearn has released two sets of five reefers each in PFE paint. The car is a 50´ outside braced mechanical reefer. The sides are pretty good representations of the R-70-11 and R-70-12 PFE cars which were all welded. The model is over 2-feet too short, so some compromises are needed to compress the length of the underframe, but the tooling of the sides is not bad considering it is 50+ years old.
   

2. Dick Harley
   

1. To up-grade the Athearn 50-ft Ribbed-side Mechanical Reefer, do the following:
   

2.     A stock Athearn underframe is in center.
   

3.     Scratch-built underframe compressed two feet to match body.
   

4.     Fuel tanks (one removed) are from InterMountain R-70-20.
   

5.     Brake parts from Grandt Line.
   

6.     Rework roof to represent 1960s diagonal panel roof (narrow ribs ends shortened).
   

7.     Ladder rungs removed - to be replaced with wire.
   

8.     All rivets removed for welded ends..
   

9. Dick Harley
   

Lettering & Numbering

1. The lettering says it is a R-70-12 car, and according to the PFE Book, the numbers are correct for the cars as built.
   

Reference

                                                                     http://harley-trains.smugmug.com/PFEModels/PFE-Mechanical-Reefer-Models/R-70-12

MTL (n-scale)

Lettering & Numbering

1. They are painted in the as delivered configuration with the small black letters and numbers and the all black Pacific Fruit Express on the right side of the car. The cars all have the same car number.
   

2. Byron Lane
   

3. 
   

4. If you want the 1975 era, you should not have ANY -12 cars in the 300,000 series numbers, having the black square containing the white PFE and road number. Change only the second car digit and any others. The black square with white road numbers was introduced in 1966. In 1969, the white initial letters in the road name were introduced.
   

Decals

Microscale

1. There is a Microscale set in N scale which can do both black or white square.
   

PFE R-70-13 Mechanical Reefer 

1. Built starting in 1963.
   

2. The prototype had a Moloco diagonal panel roof and an 8'-0" door.
   

Lettering & Numbering

1. The R-70-13 class, built starting in 1963, inaugurated a simplified medallion with a "negative" SP in a circle replacing the bar with the word LINES (Pacific Fruit Express, pg.212). That is, cars repainted after 1960 lacked the word "LINES" in the medallion.
   

2. Arved Grass
   

References

1.                                                                               Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 212
   

Modeling PFE R-70-13

Red Caboose Kitbash

1. This HO project is to create an R-70-13 car from the Red Caboose undec R-70-15 kit. Since the original roof is removed, either style of kit will work equally well. But pick the kit style (with or without Running Board) that matches what you want for a finished car. One major change is to replace the roof with a Moloco diagonal panel roof. Remove all rivet detail from the seam caps (welded roof). The flat end of the Moloco roof was trimmed up to the edge of the seam cap. The sides of the R-70-15 body were milled to accept the thickness of the Moloco roof. The remaining flat section of roof on the body was filed to match the shape of the seam cap on the Moloco roof - including the end flares. Body was filed and trimmed to match shape of Moloco roof end cap. Joint between body and new roof is at edge of seam cap, so it doesn't show. Precise "inlay" fitting is needed to minimize any gap at joint.
   

2. 
   

3. Replace the 9'-0" door with an 8'-0" door. 8-ft wide door (actually 8'-7" outside) was scratch built from 0.020" styrene and Archer rivets. (Fits in 0.020" pocket in Red Caboose body.)
   

4. Ribs beside door were removed and 6" space filled to meet 8-ft door.
   

5. Door stops were repositioned and door tracks shortened.Stock running board from Red Caboose kit was used. Ladders and other fine parts are added after painting and decaling.
   

6. Dick Harley
   

Reference

1.                                                           http://harley-trains.smugmug.com/PFEModels/PFE-Mechanical-Reefer-Models/PFE-R-70-13
   

2. Dick Harley
   

PFE R-70-14 Mechanical Reefer 

1. The PFE book table 9-2 indicates these cars got a mix of APEX and GYPSUM running boards.
   

2. 
   

3. Neither the diagrams nor the car order specification sheets say more than "Apex, Morton, Gypsum" for R-70-14.
   

4. Tony Thompson
   

5. 
   

6. The 1st half of the R-70-14 order had Hydra-Cushion underframes.
   

7. Sean Augenstein
   

References

1. Consult the excellent article by Tony Thompson in the January 1988 RMC about the PFE's mechanical reefers. The PFE book (pg. 195) is more accurate than the RMC articles as mentioned by Tony Thompson.
   

1.                                                                               Pacific Fruit Express, pg. 195
   

2. 
   

PFE R-70-15 Mechanical Reefer 

1. The PFE’s had two different types of underframes.
   

2. PFE R-70-15 'As built' with Hydra-Cushion Underframe
   

3. PFE R-70-15 'As built' with Keystone Underframe
   

1. The R-70-15s had all Gypsum running boards.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

1. Almost all of these cars were modernized with the removal of running boards, and new reporting marks and other lettering changes by the mid-1970s. Here's a photo of one of the reefers in revenue service.
   

2.                                                                         http://www.geocities.com/jim_lancaster.geo/mrr/11-08/u25b_f7.jpg
   

3. Jim Lancaster
   

4. 
   

5. These reefers come with 36" wheels.
   

Lettering & Numbering

Key spotting features for a circa-1978 appearance include:

1. SPFE or UPFE restenciled reporting marks (to signify the car owner after 1971)
   

2. ACI labels applied.
   

3. Consolidated/COTS Lube Plate Stencils added (1974).
   

4. U-1 wheel inspection stencils added (1978 onward).
   

References

1.                                                                               Pacific Fruit Express, pg.
   

Modeling PFE R-70-15

1. If you were to model SP in 1966, these cars plus the 50' mechanicals would be ok in the same train.
   

Red Caboose

1. If you model in HO 1964 or later, put together a train of Mechanical PFE reefers use both the SP Hydra-Cushion and UP Keystone underframe versions of the very accurate Red Caboose R-70-15 reefer cars. These cars are needed by modelers to represent PFE cars of the late 1960s and beyond.
   

2. 
   

3. Red Caboose officially announced it as all-new-tooling. There 57' PFE R-70-15 Mechanical Reefer car is with the ribbed roof. It is offered in the following stock numbers and paint schemes:
   

4. 
   

5.    RR-34520 - PFE R-70-15 'As built' with Hydra-Cushion Underframe (RTR)
   

6.    RR-34550 - PFE R-70-15 'As built' with Keystone Underframe (RTR)
   

7. Each of the above will be offered in 12 different road numbers per stock number - 24 different road numbers in all.
   

8. 
   

9.    RC-4500 - Undecorated KIT 'As Built' with Hydra-Cushion underframe (KIT)
   

10.    RC-4510 - Undecorated KIT 'As Built' with KEYSTONE underframe (KIT)
    

1. These reefers come with 36" wheels instead of 33's. Replace all the RC trucks with Accurail 70T Barber S-2's and install Intermountain wheelsets.
   

Key spotting features for a circa-1978 appearance

1. If modeling in the late 70s era, here are modifications for updating the Red Caboose R-70-15 reefers from an "as-delivered" fresh-from-the-factory appearance to a later 1978+ era appearance.
   

2. 
   

3. Running boards (on roof) removed. Easily removable with a #11 X-acto knife.
   

4. Tall ladders on the A-end shortened to four rungs. (Just a couple of quick snips with my flush cutting sprue nipper.)
   

5. Replacement plug door added
   

Lettering & Numbering

Decals

Microscale

1. - SPFE or UPFE restenciled reporting marks (to signify the car owner after 1971) (Microscale set 87-17 or 87-409)
   

2. - ACI labels applied. Use Microscale set 87-2 or MC-4379.
   

3. - Consolidated/COTS Lube Plate Stencils added (1974). Use Microscale set MC-4379.
   

4. - U-1 wheel inspection stencils added (1978 onward). Use Microscale set MC-4379.
   

5. - Replacement plug door modeled with updated 70's era lettering and Load Divider decals in new locations. Use Microscale set 
   

6.    MC-4379.
   

7. - Car End reporting Marks updated to "SPFE" and "UPFE" as appropriate using Microscale set MC-4379 - a PERFECT match!! 
   

8. - Coming next for the SPFE: A Perishable Freight Experts sticker over the UP herald. (as seen on many SPFE cars after the 1978            
   

9.     split). Use Microscale set MC-4379 or 87-17.
   

1. There are photos documenting some of the changes needed to update a Red Caboose R-70-15 PFE Mechanical Reefer to a late 1970s appearance.
   

                                  http://www.pbase.com/tracktime/70s_era_reefers

                                  http://www.pbase.com/tracktime/newreefers

1. Harry Wong
   

2. More background info on the RTR cars previously posted here:
   

                                  http://www.pbase.com/tracktime/newreefers

Paint

    They have the black panel and white reporting marks.

Intermountain

1. Intermountain kits have lettering that is nowhere near as common as earlier schemes. Save your money and buy the Red Caboose R-70-15 mechanical reefers instead, unless you're modeling 1961-1963.
   

Lettering & Numbering

Microscale

1. They have recently released their new decal set 87-1341 for peaked-roof PFE mechanical reefers (replacing set 87-17). This set has much new class data for these reefers, as well as highly accurate medallions, and covers paint schemes applied in the 1960s. It is just what you need for the Red Caboose PFE R-70-15 undec kits (still available from Red Caboose), as well as relettering Athearn, Con-Cor and Red Caboose decorated cars.
   

2. Dick Harley
   

3. 
   

PFE R-70-16 Mechanical Reefer 

1. The R-70-16 cars were all built with low hand brakes. The SP owned cars (w/ Hydra-Cushion underframes) had running boards applied. The SP R-70-16 cars had Wabcopac air brakes, which had a brake cylinder on each truck, and thus no brake linkage on the underframe.
   

2. Dick Harley
   

Lettering & Numbering

1. In the PFE book, it has photos of the H-C stencil on R-70-16.
   

References

1.                                                                               Pacific Fruit Express, pg.
   

Modeling PFE R-70-16

Red Caboose Kitbash

1. You can create the versions of the R-70-16 class cars from the Red Caboose factory built R-70-15 models. You have to lower the hand brake. Parts for the low hand brake and lower mounted ladders are in the R-70-15 undec kits. Factory parts are glued on with CA and snap off fairly easily when pried. Then fill holes, install new parts and repaint. To model the Wabcopac air brakes, remove the brake linkage and fill holes. Then add 0.020 styrene rod to simulate the air lines from the triple valve to the trucks. Additional upgrade can be made by adding the Moloco PCF Cushion Draft Gear. Extra plastic bit added to floor for screw threads.
   

2. Dick Harley
   

References

1.                                                                   http://harley-trains.smugmug.com/PFEModels/PFE-Mechanical-Reefer-Models/R-70-16
   

Lettering & Numbering

Microscale

1. Some of the lettering must be changed. Remove unwanted lettering by soaking with MicroSol and/or scraping. The end lettering also changes. Add new road number, capy. and dimen. data from Microscale #87-1341 decal set.
   

2. Dick Harley
   

PFE R-70-17 Mechanical Reefer 

1. They had Keystone Underframes.
   

References

1.                                                                               Pacific Fruit Express, pg.
   

2. 
   

PFE R-70-18 Mechanical Reefer 

Lettering & Numbering

1. In the PFE book, it has photos of the H-C stencil on R-70-18.
   

References

1.                                                                               Pacific Fruit Express, pg.
   

2. 
   

PFE R-70-19 Mechanical Reefer 

1. They had 'Cushion Underframe'.
   

References

1.                                                                               Pacific Fruit Express, pg.
   

2. 
   

R-70-20 PFE RPL cars

1. A roster of the R-70-20 class reefers is provided as follows:
   

SPFE   456901-457400    1969

PFE     457401-457500    1969   (transferred to SPFE)

PFE     457501-457600    1969   (transferred to UPFE)

UPFE  457601-458100    1969

SPFE   458701-459300    1970

1. These 50'-10" mechanical refrigerator cars were all built to the same basic design by PC&F in 1969-70 and featured 4269 ft3 capacity and a 10'-6" door opening.
   

1. When these cars were delivered they came with a marked cubical capacity of 4050. The marked inside dimensions were 50-0 IL, 9-0 IW and 9-0 IH. (The product of these numbers of course equals 4050.) The cars came with load dividers.
   

2. 
   

3. At some point in time these cars (most of them anyways and perhaps all) were restenciled as 4269 cu. ft. cars. They had their internal stenciled dimensions changed to 50-10 IL, 9-0 IW and 9-4 IH. Based on car markings they kept their loaders.
   

4. 
   

5. The cars remained marked as RPL and had the loader symbols, both of which indicate that the loaders remained. 
   

Lettering & Numbering

1. On page 224 of the PFE book, it is pointed out that starting with R-70-20 that ALL cars were stenciled with "CUSHION
   

2. UNDERFRAME" regardless of the actual hardware.
   

3. Tony Thompson
   

1. On the side of the car, reporting marks show as SPFE.
   

References

1.                                                                               Pacific Fruit Express, pg.
   

Modeling R-70-20

Athearn

1. That Athearn roof is incorrect.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

Intermountain

1. A new HO reefer R70-20, this model would be appropriate to do the ARMN white reefers with the gutted ends. UP has been using a variety of older cars for the ARMN conversions. I'm sure at least some of the bodies will be the R-70-20 and successor classes.
   

2. Tony Thompson
   

3. 
   

   These represent PFE cars of the late 1960s and beyond. They make two roof types.

Lettering & Numbering

1. On the side of the car, reporting marks show as SPFE, BUT the end reporting marks are PFE. Intermountain had a misprint; they left off the "S" on the end reporting marks of both different versions of their cars.
   

1.