I believe they were still discussing moisture concerns with meat with mechanical refrig in the early 1950s . . . until they realized they could start with a goodly amount of artificial moisture and keep it along the trip.  FGE was building new re-icing platforms in 1955 (@ their Russell and Peru yards) along the C&O.  I believe FGE purchased a "demo fleet" of mech reffers in 1956 with diff supplier motor-compressor sets.  They keep their leased re-icing platforms on the C&O until 1972 I believe.



Al Kresse


----- Original Message -----
From: "RDG2124" <RDG2124@...>
To: STMFC@...
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2010 9:48:38 AM
Subject: [STMFC] Ice vs Mechanical Reefers - Off Subject?


If within the discussion period of this list, when did mechanical reefers enter service?  Assume since passenger cars began using mechanical air conditioning in the late 30's that reefers would have been soon to follow or did they precede passenger cars?

The discussion of roses being shipped via reefers prompted questions, other than the obvious labor intensity and icing delays of the iced cars, what are the pros and cons of the ice versus the mechanical cars.   As I know only of flowers being shipped in iced reefers, assume that humidity was a concern.

Thank you,

Evan Leisey
Bennett, CO