----- Original Message -----




From: "Bill Welch" <fgexbill@...>
To: "Steam Era Freight cars" <STMFC@...>
Sent: Monday, June 18, 2012 11:53:44 AM
Subject: [STMFC] Eastern Packing Houses & Icing Facilities--Models of

Bob Chaparro's question on behalf of Keith Jordan got me to thinking  
about the structures that would have been associated with  
refrigerator cars (mandatory content) east of the Mississippi River.  
As a part of my research I have accumulated many images of grading/
packing houses and icing facilities along the railroads served by  
Fruit Growers Express, some of which will be seen in my presentation  
at Naperville (shameless self-promotion).

The packing house photos are mostly in Florida, but not all, but  
those that are don't seem necessarily confined to the region and  
could be considered generic I think. The photos I have of the icing  
facilities do exhibit certain similarities despite the variety of  
railroads involved. To date I have views representing the L&N, SAL,  
NC&StL, ACL, C&O and Southern. The most complete information I know  
of to date is about the C&O from their very fine Archive operation in  
Virginia. Using the C&O style/design would produce a very  
representative model of a southeastern icing facility that would fit  
on the many roads of that region in my opinion

I mention all of this for two reasons:

1.) Perhaps there is a manufacturer on this list that might be  
interested in what I have or there is someone on the this that knows  
someone that knows someone..... I would be happy to put together a CD  
of photos of both the packing houses and the icing facilities if a  
serious person can be identified. If so please pass this message on  
to them.

2.) DeCoursey Yard in Kentucky and Potomac Yard in Alexandria, VA  
represent the farthest north that I have photos of icing facilities,  
which means I do not have any photos showing icing facilities on the  
B&O, PRR, C&EI, PM,  and NYNH&H, all northern owners of FGE. If  
anyone knows of photos of icing facilities along any of these lines,  
please let me know at one of the addresses below. This would help  
everyone I hope interested learn if the facilities on these lines  
shared the same look as those further south and expand the  
possibilities for a kit of a representative FGE icing station.

As an aside, the FGE/WFE/BRE system had approximately 450 icing  
facilities varying greatly in size, types of service and time of year  
service was available. There were several locales with at least three  
facilities because several lines served the various locales going on  
memory at least one locale had six icing facilities.

Thanks for your attention!

Bill Welch
2225 Nursery Road; #20-104
Clearwater, FL 33764-7622
727-470-9930
fgexbill@...



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