I believe that both the Walthers reefer and the BLI reefer are available

in the same early REA paint scheme<
As you said somewhat different lettering. Also I believe the Walthers
lettering color is yellow and at least for my era should be gold. The BLI
cars are gold lettering.
Walthers has a problem sometimes of not describing the painting of the
cars!

Probably a minor point but if you are buying a RTR I would expect the
grab irons to be installed. BLI does and Walthers doesn't!

Jon Miller
AT&SF
For me time has stopped in 1941
Digitrax, Chief/Zephyr systems, JMRI user
NMRA Life member #2623
Member SFRH&MS