Neville-

Here are some notes on Cleaning Refrigerator Cars from the Santa Fe.

These are from the booklet, "Rules Governing The Cleaning, Fumigation and Sanitation of Passenger, Work and Freight Equipment, Cars, Diesel Locomotives and Parts".

This text originally was written March 1, 1915, and was revised September 1, 1964.

"CLEANING FREIGHT EQUIPMENT
Refrigerator Cars-Interior:

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD WATER BE ALLOWED TO STAND ON THE INTERIOR OF REFRIGERATOR CARS.

Sweep floor and walls, being sure all crack are cleaned. If sweeping does not properly clean, due to molasses, paint, etc., such portions of the wall or floor should be scraped. If necessary, follow scraping with a scrub brush and cleaning solution, Item 3-A or 3-F, with warm water, or, Item No. 8-K with hot water.

The bunkers of cars shall be cleaned by sweeping walls and drip pans. Clean drip cups and drain pipes of all dirt and refuse. Water under pressure may be used in bunkers only, for cleaning purposes.

Ceilings and walls of refrigerators [sic] shall be washed regularly with cleaning solution, Item No. 3-A or 3-F, mixed with 2 to 4 oz. per gallon of warm water."

The requirement to wash "ceilings and walls … regularly" does not define "regularly".

Item 3-A is two approved cleaners, Turco RR#1 and C&H #55, both semi-paste cleaners. Item 3-F is Oakite #202-BD, a liquid cleaner. Item 8-K is two granular cleaners, Dearborn Chemical Sanitizer and Oakite Products Disanite.

Most of this information probably is more than most of us ever need to know, but here it is for factoid collectors everywhere.

Bob Chaparro
Moderator
Citrus Industry Modeling Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/citrusmodeling/