Can anyone supply basic information (year built, builder) for
Merchants Despatch Transportation reefers class M4-3, built as part of
Michigan Central 17000-18999? I would be interested in the year
built, and any notable modifications made over the years.

Any advice of close matches (or stand-ins) for modeling these cars
would be appreciated, too –- in any scale.

My interest stems from the fact that the Ahnapee & Western RR purchased
five of these reefers in 1948 (A&W #3000 on 1948.05.07 and A&W
#3001-3004 on 1948.11.16). A&W #3002 was retired in 1950, and all
were out of service by 1954. They were used in condensed milk service
between Evangeline Milk Company in Sturgeon Bay and First National
Stores in Sommersville, Mass.
__________
Mark Mathu
Whitefish Bay, Wis.
The Green Bay Route: http://www.greenbayroute.com/

They were used in condensed milk service between Evangeline Milk
Company in Sturgeon Bay and First National Stores...

Sorry: for clarification, that should be Sturgeon Bay, Wisc.

Since Roger Hinman appears to be away, I will jump in and report from
articles he has authored. The builder was MDT themselves, at the
plant in East Rochester, NY. The built date is circa 1923; I hope
Roger can be more specific about this.

Jeff English
Troy, New York

--- In STMFC@..., "Mark Mathu" <mark@...> wrote:

Can anyone supply basic information (year built, builder) for
Merchants Despatch Transportation reefers class M4-3, built as part

of

Michigan Central 17000-18999? I would be interested in the year
built, and any notable modifications made over the years.

Any advice of close matches (or stand-ins) for modeling these cars
would be appreciated, too –- in any scale.

My interest stems from the fact that the Ahnapee & Western RR

purchased

five of these reefers in 1948 (A&W #3000 on 1948.05.07 and A&W
#3001-3004 on 1948.11.16). A&W #3002 was retired in 1950, and all
were out of service by 1954. They were used in condensed milk

service

between Evangeline Milk Company in Sturgeon Bay and First National
Stores in Sommersville, Mass.
__________
Mark Mathu
Whitefish Bay, Wis.
The Green Bay Route: http://www.greenbayroute.com/

MDT 17635 Aug-23 sold Annapee & western Apr 16, 1948
MDT 17425 Jul-23 sold Annapee & western Aug 14, 1948
MDT 17437 Jul-23 sold Annapee & wesstern Aug 14, 1948
MDT 19021 May-24 sold Annapee & western Aug 18, 1948
MDT 19691 Aug-24 sold Annapee & wesstern Aug 14, 1948

These wee the exact number MDT reefers sold to Anahpee and Western, three were from the MC lot referenced and the other two from two separate lots(see details below)

For modeler's where a good paint job is good enough the Accurail or Bline wood reefers are okay. The resin project for this car stalled a few years ago and I'm trying to get it moving again.

Jeff's right, I am on travel this week, but laptops are a wonderful thing

Roger Hinman



Build Lot Details:
1000 Cars built Jun 23-xx23 MDT17000-17999
RR Lot 469R MDT Lot 636

Financing
NYC Equipment Trust of ???? Michigan Central owner

Build Lot Details:
440 Cars built May 24-Aug 24 MDT19000-19439
RR Lot 497R MDT Lot 646

Financing
NYC Equipment Trust of ???? NYC owner

Subsequent Renumberings
Some renumbered to 43000-43999?
Account Group ??

Build Lot Details:
500 Cars built Sep 24-Oct 24 MDT19440-19939
RR Lot 498R MDT Lot 646

Financing
NYC Equipment Trust of ???? CCC&StL owner

Subsequent Renumberings
Some renumbered to 43000-43999?



Subsequent Renumberings
Some renumbered to 41000-42999?
Account Group 13??

These were the exact number MDT reefers sold to Anahpee
and Western, three were from the MC lot referenced and
the other two from two separate lots(see details below)

Thanks, I didn't realize that these cars came from three separate
orders. Is it still correct to refer to them all as MDT class M4-3?
__________
Mark Mathu
Whitefish Bay, Wis.

yes

Roger Hinman wrote:

For modeler's where a good paint job is good enough the Accurail or
Bline wood reefers are okay.

What are the shortcomings of the Accurail cars?

The simplified underframe details seems obvious... to my untrained eye
the noticeable thing is the MDT/A&W cars have steel straps at the
corners where the sides and ends meet.. Are there other notable
differences on the ends or roofs of the car?

____
Mark Mathu
Whitefish Bay, Wis.

The length of the car is not correct but close

The end had a signature reversed C channel end sill that was
overlapped by the siding at the ends; strapping and vertical supports
were often added during rebuild. This could be done with styrene
strips added to the car

The side would have a Z bar side sill and unique style bolster covers
that could be added to the Accurail

The roof on the Accurail car would best be stripped of the horizontal
battens and a thinner set put on to match the MDT car and their
spacings; there needs to be a taller ice hatch as well as a fascia
overhang; ext

The underframe is a whole different story

Roger Hinman