PFE No. 902 started out as an InterMountain R-40-23 model and has been rebuilt into an express reefer for service on the author’s layout. MODEL PHOTOS BY THE AUTHOR
Kitbashing a PFE BR-40-10 express reefer
Modeling refrigerator cars converted in the 1950’s for express service/David Messer F
aced with growing traffic and a serious shortage of express re- frigerator cars in the summer of
1952, Pacific Fruit Express decided to equip 50 freight refrigerator cars for express service. An offer from the Union Pacific to supply excess high- speed trucks not only cut the cost of the conversion in half, but significantly reduced the time to complete the pro- gram because of Korean War restric- tions on steel for new trucks. In the spring of 1953 PFE chose 50 R-40-10 freight reefers that had re- cently been overhauled and fitted with Apex steel running boards and electric circulating fans. The express car con- version involved installation of Chrysler FR-5-D (cars 901-925) or Symington-Gould Type XL (cars 926- 950) trucks with passenger axles and high-speed friction bearings. The cars were also equipped with steam and sig- nal lines, upgraded brakes and marker light brackets for passenger service, but retained their Type E freight cou- plers. They were repainted in Standard Passenger Color No. 1, Dark Olive with Dulux Gold lettering, and reclassified BR-50-10.
Model conversion
There are three options for making this conversion, all using the excellent InterMountain R-40-23 model. One can
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modify a ready-to-run model, use an undecorated kit (both are available), or modifying a decorated kit (no longer marketed, but may still be found on some dealer shelves, at swap meets or on eBay).
In all three cases the major change is replacing the 3/3 Improved Dread- naught ends with 4/4 Dreadnaught ends available at $4.00 per pair from Stan Rydarowicz Resin Parts, Manchester Street, Youngstown, OH
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RMC/Dremel Kitbashing Award........
44509. These are designed to fit the In- terMountain model and have holes for mounting the ladders, grab irons and end brake components, thus providing an easy conversion of the kit. Remov- ing the ends, however, on the r-t-r mod- el does require some careful surgery. Note: the prototype had the early square post ends, so a bit of judicious filing to sharpen the edges of the resin ends will make them very close. The other replacement parts include
the Apex steel grid roof and end walks (Tichy part No. 3077) and early steel ice hatches from Red Caboose; the latter re- quire adding the wire latch irons which duplicate the prototype that had sepa- rate insulating hatches and covers. The rest of the carbody assembly follows the InterMountain instructions. I substituted Tichy Train No. 3015 wire drop grab irons for the plastic ones on the ends and added steam, air and signal lines (Cal-Scale No. 275). The unpainted model is shown in the photos to highlight the parts added on the ends and roof.
A minimum of $100 and a Dremel Rotary Tool Kit with a variable-speed Dremel 3000 rotary tool and acces- sories are awarded to the monthly winners of the RMC/DREMEL KITBASHING AWARD. Entries must consist of at least two photos (high-resolution digital pic- tures should be at least 3,000 pixels wide; color slides or 5″×7″ or 8″×10″ prints are also acceptable) and a short text. Models must use at least 50% commercial compo- nents; unused entries may be held future editorial use.
Trucks and finishing
The unusual high-speed trucks are what make this car really distinctive. For the Chrysler trucks, I modified the ones supplied in the kit by carefully carving
away the right-hand coil
spring on each sideframe and cement- MAY 2013
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