Red Caboose N 57′ Mechanical Reefer Pacific Fruit Express “SPFE, White PFE Letters, & Hydra Cushion”

Description

Railroad Short Name: SPFE

Pacific Car and Foundry responded to the railroad’s migration from ice stored in bunkers as a primary cooling system to the diesel mechanical systems. The mechanical reefers could keep a more regular temperature, often times colder then what the ice bunker cars could at the time. Initially mechanical reefers were used primarily in frozen food service. This would soon change as mechanical refrigeration began to replace ice-based systems. Soon after, mechanical refrigeration units replaced the “armies” of personnel required to re-ice the cars. Several different deliveries of the PC&F 57’ mechanical to many different railroads in the mid to late 1960s. Many have been rebuilt and are still in service today.

These 50′-10″ mechanical refrigerator cars were built by PC&F in 1969-70 and featured 4269 ft3 capacity and a 10′-6″ door opening. Note that this body style is sometimes referred to as 57′, however, the mechanical refrigeration equipment takes up space on one end of the car thus leaving a nominal 50′ usable inside length for loading. Bangor and Aroostook often leased it’s reefer fleet to Pacific Fruit Express in the off season for the railroad. This turned out to be a peak season for PFE in California. Green Bay and Western purchased several classes of 57’ Mechanicals from the BAR. Many were hastily patched and put into service. The GB&W cars were often seen on the North Western Pacific in California carrying butter from the Humbolt Bay to eastern markets.

Features:

• Micro-Trains Wheels & Couplers