Athearn Roundhouse GN 50' Smooth Side Mechanical Reefer Freight Car 199
Model Information
The size ratio of the model relative to the real-world prototype (e.g., HO, N, O).
HO
The marketing brand under which the item is sold (e.g., Athearn, Walthers).
Athearn
A specific product line within the brand (e.g., Genesis, Mainline).
Roundhouse
The general category of the item (e.g., Locomotive, Rolling Stock).
Freight Car
A more specific classification (e.g., Diesel-Electric, Boxcar).
Reefer
A detailed description of the specific car or locomotive type (e.g., GP38-2, Plug Door Insulated Steel).
50' Smooth Side Mechanical Reefer
The actual entity that manufactured the model, if different from the brand.
Athearn
The stock keeping unit (SKU) or catalog number assigned by the manufacturer.
RND71679
The name of the railroad or owner.
American Refrigerator Transit (ART/RMAX/RMDX)
The specific number assigned to this individual car or locomotive.
199
The alphabetic code identifying the owner (e.g., UP, BNSF).
GN
Curated list of common equipment details like DCC, Sound, Powered status, etc.
Additional attributes or equipment details not covered by standard features.
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)
-
Availability
The date the model was announced by the manufacturer.
January 2018
The estimated arrival date for the model provided by the manufacturer at the time of announcement.
January 2019
The actual date the model became available at retailers.
-
The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price at the time of announcement.
-
Model Information
The size ratio of the model relative to the real-world prototype (e.g., HO, N, O).
HO
The marketing brand under which the item is sold (e.g., Athearn, Walthers).
Athearn
A specific product line within the brand (e.g., Genesis, Mainline).
Roundhouse
The general category of the item (e.g., Locomotive, Rolling Stock).
Freight Car
A more specific classification (e.g., Diesel-Electric, Boxcar).
Reefer
A detailed description of the specific car or locomotive type (e.g., GP38-2, Plug Door Insulated Steel).
50' Smooth Side Mechanical Reefer
The actual entity that manufactured the model, if different from the brand.
Athearn
The stock keeping unit (SKU) or catalog number assigned by the manufacturer.
RND71679
The name of the railroad or owner.
American Refrigerator Transit (ART/RMAX/RMDX)
The specific number assigned to this individual car or locomotive.
199
The alphabetic code identifying the owner (e.g., UP, BNSF).
GN
Curated list of common equipment details like DCC, Sound, Powered status, etc.
Additional attributes or equipment details not covered by standard features.
Model Information
The size ratio of the model relative to the real-world prototype (e.g., HO, N, O).
HO
The marketing brand under which the item is sold (e.g., Athearn, Walthers).
Athearn
A specific product line within the brand (e.g., Genesis, Mainline).
Roundhouse
The general category of the item (e.g., Locomotive, Rolling Stock).
Freight Car
A more specific classification (e.g., Diesel-Electric, Boxcar).
Reefer
A detailed description of the specific car or locomotive type (e.g., GP38-2, Plug Door Insulated Steel).
50' Smooth Side Mechanical Reefer
The actual entity that manufactured the model, if different from the brand.
Athearn
The stock keeping unit (SKU) or catalog number assigned by the manufacturer.
RND71679
The name of the railroad or owner.
American Refrigerator Transit (ART/RMAX/RMDX)
The specific number assigned to this individual car or locomotive.
199
The alphabetic code identifying the owner (e.g., UP, BNSF).
GN
Curated list of common equipment details like DCC, Sound, Powered status, etc.
Additional attributes or equipment details not covered by standard features.
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