Reefer Operations on Model Railroads

with an emphasis on the ATSF

January 1, 2003

Model Operations

One frequent question asked by model builders is whether the roof hatches should be open or closed.

The only time the hatches would have been fully open was for cleaning and icing.
The ventilation position was used for loads like potatoes, onions, and bananas which didn't require refrigeration but needed air circulation and protection from temperature extremes. In those cases the hatch covers were secured in the open position. On cars that had just been cleaned and had not completely dried inside, the hatch covers were sometimes left open (even thrown back in the full open position) while in transit, but this was not common practice. Contrary to old-time model RR lore, empties usually ran with the hatch covers shut to keep the interiors clean.
Loaded cars with ice in the bunkers had the hatch covers closed. When in insulation or heater service they would be closed. On their return trip when being used as a box car, they would also be closed.
Thus, as a general rule, reefers in trains had the hatch covers closed much more often than open.

A modeler with southern California as his prototype could keep very busy shifting reefers around from the cleanout track, to precooling, to the shipper, back to the ice house, and finally making up trains.

In the case of Emporia, long reefer trains ran through but did not require servicing. Ice facilities were located elsewhere on the system. Being a division point, waycars and often locomotives needed to be changed.

Those modeling Chicago or Kansas City could devote a large space to produce houses and the swift delivery of reefers to those tracks or to interchange with other roads.

Branch line operators could provide a LCL reefer for occasional operating sessions.

Westbound reefers could be used for LCL freight and might we switched out to the local freight house.

Don't forget the need for ice and salt cars on your railroad, or the possible need for express reefer icing, depending on your location.

The needs of a packing house will be treated separately.

I know little about the milk runs of the northeast, but considerable articles have been published on this subject.

webmaster@atsfrr.net