PFE Mechanical Reefer Model Project
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PFE Mechanical Reefer Model Project (Please respond to the e-mail address below.) As some of you know, a little over two years ago I approached Rapido Trains with a proposal to produce a R-T-R HO scale first-generation Santa Fe mechanical refrigerator car. That car is now being delivered and reservations are being taken for an N-scale version. This project required a lot of work and along the way other modelers and freight car historians contributed to the final, satisfying result. I’m ready to work on another car, specifically a first-generation PFE mechanical reefer in HO scale. As with the Santa Fe car, this car would be a highly detailed R-T-R model at a high-end price point for plastic. By first-generation I’m considering the following prototypes as delivered new: · R-70-5 · R-70-8 · R-70-9 · R-70-10 For personal reasons I’m not considering any mechanical refrigerator car manufactured after 1956. My question to you Southern Pacific/Union Pacific modelers is, which car? As with the Santa Fe mechanical reefer, the car has to have a very reasonable chance of being a commercial success. Any potential manufacturer will look for such things as: · Number of prototypes produced · Prototype longevity · Multiple paint schemes · Multiple owners and M-O-W possibilities · Availability of color photos, including detail photos · Availability of engineering drawings If you have a car to recommend from the above list, tell me why it would be a good candidate to pitch to a manufacturer. Recommendations lacking a “why” are useless. Once a decision is made on which car to pursue, I will be calling on you for photos, drawings and sources for these. I also will be calling for collaborators who want to be actively involved in the project. I have no interest in working on anything but this model so please do not suggest something else. Also, I am not compiling a reservation list so if you just want to reserve a car, hold off for now. Please contact me OFF LIST with your recommendations at: chiefbobbb@... [chiefbobbb AT verizon DOT net] Thank you. Bob Chaparro Hemet, CA |
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You neglected the R-50-6, one of the larger PFE classes For PFE, I wish for an R-40-30. These were 40 foot mechanical reefers, and NO ONE has ever done a model of one. here's a favorite obscure RP that might sell pretty well -- NYMX On 12/4/2022 3:06 AM, Bob Chaparro via groups.io wrote:
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Tim O'Connor Sterling, Massachusetts |
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Tim, The old Golden Spike models by Silver Streak had a close stand in kit for these (NYMX) Rich Christie |
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Bob & Tim, I agree with both of you. There is a major hole in both PFE & Santa Fe mechanical models. I hope the Rr-56 spawns more models for both of these roads reefers Rich Christie |
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Uh, no, the Golden Spike (Pacific HO, originally) model was an FGE built car - very similar to some built for BREX too. On 12/4/2022 10:35 AM, Rich C via groups.io wrote:
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Tim O'Connor Sterling, Massachusetts |
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"You neglected the R-50-6, one of the larger PFE classes
For PFE, I wish for an R-40-30." As I said, for personal reasons I’m not considering any mechanical refrigerator car manufactured after 1956. If somebody wants an R-50-6 or and R-40-30, both worthy cars, they will have to take on the project. Bob Chaparro Hemet, CA |
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B.L. Griffith
Off topic a little, but please explain why the Pacific HO-Golden Spike-etc. model is NOT an acceptable stand in for all but one (a 40’ car) of the NYMX cars. Back on topic; I’m still advocating that despite individual class differences, the numbers produced (100-200-200, 500 altogether) of the early dissimilar end (dreadnaught/early improved dreadnaught ends in classes R-70-8/9/10) PFE mechanical reefers, that carried at least two paint schemes in their lifetimes, with some used later in life for meat rail and/or TIV service, are an obvious choice. I, for one, would seriously consider dipping into my somewhat meager retirement funds and spend the required 50-60 dollars likely needed per car to acquire example(s) in any one of these classes. |
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Dennis Storzek
In ten words or less, the grapefruit size rivets. I've looked at that tool, and the rivets look like they were cut with at least a .020" diameter end mill, maybe .025. Dennis Storzek |
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spsalso
It'd sure be nice if someone re-did the Golden Spike cars. They'd be quite useful. I'm talking Tangent-y style, here.
GN, NP, Q, FGEX And that's only the ones I know of. Ed Edward Sutorik |
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Richard Townsend
For one thing the number of side panels is wrong.
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Guy Wilber
Dennis wrote:
“In ten words or less, the grapefruit size rivets. I've looked at that tool, and the rivets look like they were cut with at least a .020" diameter end mill, maybe .025.” I was going to compare the rivets to my 1964 VW hub caps. You are (of course) more accurate…no surprise. The cast metal parts are junk as well. I sold the four that I had to Bill Welch and I think he was pissed that he wasted the money. ;^) Guy Wilber Reno, Nevada _ |
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B.L. Griffith
After seeing a picture of a fairly new NYMX mechanical reefer (circa 1957) in Oakland, I’ve always wanted to do a couple to insert in a string of PFE reefers. So, the Golden Spike cars CAN be made into credible NYMX mechanical cars with a scraper and resin rivets, or not? Beyond that, has anyone produced accurate HO decals with the half moon NYC emblem and distinctive block lettering/number font in the side stripe. |
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Dennis Storzek
On Wed, Dec 7, 2022 at 09:03 PM, B.L. Griffith wrote:
So, the Golden Spike cars CAN be made into credible NYMX mechanical cars with a scraper and resin rivets, or not?Here is a clip of a pic from e-bay, you be the judge.  Dennis Storzek |
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Andy Carlson
I judge rivets on HO cars via two methods: one is te total vertical count of rivets along panel seems, and the other is an objective determination of rivet size. Most house cars of around 10'0" or so have about 50 rivets in the vertical seems. I counted the rivets on the pictured Golden Spike car and came up with around 50 rivets, which is good. The objective size evaluation however fails. These oversized rivets are so large that the flat area between rivets is truncated to where the rivets appear to be super close to each other, not the broader areas in the actual cars. Less rivets would kind of correct this spacing problem a little bit, but is making the rivet count too low. What is there to do? How about scale rivets such as my favorite; the Branchline Blueprint rivets.... When Bill Welch was talking to me about harvested Athearn BB rivets i challenged him to do Branchline rivet harvesting. He then said that harvested rivets were better for spot riveting such as underframes and dreadnaught end side rivets all which is served well with the BB rivets. The BL rivets are pretty much un-harvestable. Sort of like glueing grains of fine salt.  -Andy Carlson Ojai CA
On Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at 07:53:28 PM PST, Dennis Storzek via groups.io <soolinehistory@...> wrote:
On Wed, Dec 7, 2022 at 09:03 PM, B.L. Griffith wrote: So, the Golden Spike cars CAN be made into credible NYMX mechanical cars with a scraper and resin rivets, or not?Here is a clip of a pic from e-bay, you be the judge.  Dennis Storzek |
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Scott H. Haycock
I have 3 of these kits that I found when packing for a move. I remember buying them back when they came out in the 60s or 70s.
Are the ends and roof on these worth saving?
Scott Haycock
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Can we stay on topic and post this other material, interesting as it is, as a separate topic?
Thanks. Bob Chaparro Hemet, CA |
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I'd happily have one as a single stand-in using these old kits, if only the LETTERING were available. :-) On 12/7/2022 10:53 PM, Dennis Storzek via groups.io wrote: On Wed, Dec 7, 2022 at 09:03 PM, B.L. Griffith wrote: --
Tim O'Connor Sterling, Massachusetts |
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Dennis Storzek
On Wed, Dec 7, 2022 at 11:38 PM, Scott H. Haycock wrote:
Are the ends and roof on these worth saving?Well, back in the eighties I deemed them good enough that I was developing sides to go with them to model Soo Line's home built 50' exterior post boxcars, but that was then, this is now. As I recall, the ends weren't bad, and have a small straight rib at the top that's not commonly available if you need it. The ends are thin, lacking the portion that is riveted to the sides, so that portion needs to be modeled on the side. The roof is less pleasing, the only good thing to say about it is the diagonal panels are not reversed. There are better choices available today. Dennis Storzek |
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