Introduction

ScaleTrains Kit Classics 1251 40′ Steel Reefer Fruit Growers Express FGEX 38915

Relive the golden era of model railroading with our simple to build Kit Classics 40 Reefer Car. All thats needed for assembly is a Phillips screwdriver, glue, and a few minutes for assembly. Kit Classics freight cars are perfect for sharing this timeless tradition with the next generation of model railroaders.

Railroads started to develop refrigerator cars in the late 1800s. By 1870, groups were working to find a way to ship various products by rail that needed to be kept cool. This included meat, fruits, vegetables and various other commodities. Special cars were constructed with insulated sides and a variety of cooling methods were tried. The predominant method was using ice either crushed or in blocks.

Ice reefers typically have 4 hatches on the roof at the ends of the car. Here, ice is loaded into bunkers, usually at specially built structures called icing platforms. Cool air circulates over the ice and throughout the car, keeping the contents cool. Initial cars were of all wood construction. By the early 1900s, reefer cars were typically built with wood bodies and steel ends and roofs. All steel cars started in 1936, and became the norm. In the 1950s, mechanical refrigeration was developed, spelling the end of ice reefers. While steel ice reefer numbers dwindled, they could still be seen into the early 1970s.

FEATURES:

• All-new roadname
• Multiple road numbers
• Easy-to-assemble with small Phillips screwdriver and glue
• Finely cast stirrup steps; end ladders; grab irons; underbody and brake system
• Molded interior detail where appropriate
• Separately applied handbrake wheel
• One piece detailed molded trucks
• 33 Machined metal wheels
• Accurately profiled .110 wide wheel tread
• Plastic semi-scale Type E knuckle couplers, Kadee compatible
• Body mounted coupler box will accept Kadee whisker couplers
• Weighted to Industry standards
• Operates on Code 70, 83 and 100 rail
• Packaging safely stores model when assembled
• Minimum radius 18