Athearn Roundhouse GN 50' Smooth Side Mechanical Reefer Freight Car 8059
Prototype Details
The builder of the real-world equipment (e.g., EMD, GE, ACF).
Freight Car Builder (Various)
The build date, if printed on the model.
-
The rebuild date, if printed on the model.
-
The reweigh date, if printed on the model.
-
The earliest time period appropriate for this item.
Contemporary (2005 - Present)
Merger (1995 - 2005)
Deregulation (1980 - 1995)
Second Generation Diesel (1960 - 1980)
Transition (1940 - 1960)
The specific decades during which this item would be prototypical in revenue service.
1960s
1950s
The approximate length of the car in feet.
50'
Specific measurements of the model or prototype. Format: [Type] [Value] (e.g. IL 40'6").
Allowed types:
• IL (Inside Length)
• IW (Inside Width)
• IH (Inside Height)
• OL (Outside Length)
• OW (Outside Width)
• OH (Outside Height)
• EH (Eaves Height)
• EW (Eaves Width)
• EXH (Extreme Height)
• EXW (Extreme Width)
-
Volume or weight capacity markings as labeled on the model or prototype. Format: [Type] [Value] (e.g. CUFT 3000).
Allowed types:
• CUFT (Cubic Feet)
• CAPY (Nominal Capacity)
• LDLMT (Load Limit)
• LTWT (Light Weight)
• GRL (Gross Rail Load)
• MAX WGT (Max Cargo Weight)
• GAL (Gallons)
• US GAL (US Gallons)
• IMP GAL (Imperial Gallons)
• LITERS (Liters)
• KG (Kilograms)
• SHELL (Shell Capacity)
• DOME (Dome Capacity)
• WATER CAPY (Water Capacity)
• ICE CAPY (Ice Bunker Capacity)
• BKR CAPY (Bunker Capacity)
• LEVEL (Level Full Capacity)
-
The official description provided by the manufacturer.
The railroads responded to the 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 50' mechanical to many different railroads in the mid to late 1950s and 1960s.
Additional community-contributed notes or observations.
Initial Source: 07_RND_50ft_Smooth_Reefer_012618.pdf