CPR freight refrigerator cars

YOUR SPECIALIST FOR AUTHENTIC TRAIN MODELS
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Heritage Railway Miniatures
MODELS MADE BY ANDY WEGMULLER IN HO SCALE (1:87)

MODELS ARE FULLY DETAILED AND FINISHED
HANDCRAFTED MUSEUM QUALITY
COMPOSITE CONSTRUCTION (EPOXY RESIN AND BRASS)
AVAILABLE IN LETTERING SCHEMES FOR DIFFERENT TIME PERIODS

Canadian Pacific Railway
WOODEN FREIGHT REFRIGERATOR CARS

Model of a Reefer as built in 1923 with Beaver logo from the series with sill on the bottom.

In 1916 CPR got the first order of wooden reefer cars built with a Steel Under Frame (S.U.F.), they were 41'- 0" length over sills. Almost 1,500 were built until 1921 to the same design plans. The distinguishing character for this series is the side and end boards reach all the way down.
From 1922 on 1,800 more were built until 1930 with the same dimensions but to a slightly different design when the bottom sill became visible along the sides and ends. When built they rode on Arch Bar trucks and had K brakes. Many were converted from the 1940's on with Bettendorf trucks and AB brakes and some had the icing platforms removed. Wooden roof hatches were replaced with steel ones beginning in the 1930's. Some cars were rebuilt in the 1940's with train lines for use in passenger trains, they have markings on the side referring to that. And others had heaters installed, for temperature sensitive merchandise. The main job for reefers was transporting high class merchandise, in other words food products. Mostly Vegetables, Fruits, Meat, Fish, Beer and Wine, Canned goods, Juice and Beverages.
The last wooden reefers were withdrawn from service in 1979 with some ending their life in company service as Ice cars. Some Passenger cars had air conditioning that worked with ice and they needed a supply of ice that was brought to the stations in Ice cars
It is not known if any ever received other paint schemes of later years but Block Lettering.


Model of a Reefer built from 1916 to 1921 from the series without sill on the bottom.

Model description:

LENGTH	WEIGHT	COUPLERS	WHEELS	TRUCKS	RADIUS REQUIRED	FIRST YEAR PRODUCED
157mm	110gr.	Kadee #178	Semi Scale	Cast	21 inch	2008

Available are models of the two series without bottom sill and with exposed bottom sill.
The hand built masters were prepared from original drawings, and many photographs. This model is exquisitely detailed according to prototype, with detailed under floor, full brake rigging, cut levers and brake hoses. This models are one of a kind Museum quality, completely finished. The parts are cast with epoxy resin, carefully assembled, painted and lettered. Every detail has been faithfully replicated. The roof walk and icing platform is made up from individual boards, hand rails are made from brass wire and the ladders are free standing. Every model reflects the prototype with distinguishing features for the time period. The basic design did not change, but details make the difference.
Models are available in many versions: Wood or Steel hatches, open or closed; K brake or AB brake; Arch bar or Bettendorf trucks; Icing platform or no platform; Equipped for passenger service, two side grab irons for after late 1940's, Heater equipped
Lettering and Beaver logo was specifically made for this models.
The model has then been weathered using a unique process. This whole process allows the finer details of the model to come to life giving a “real live” look and making it a truly astounding museum quality model.
They are fully operational with Kadee No. 78 couplers and have Kadee Arch bar or Accurail Bettendorf trucks with semi scale wheels.
Length of model is 157mm or 6 1/4 inch.



Model of a Reefer from the series with sill on the bottom, built from 1922 to 1930.

	Wooden hatches on left and steel hatches on right. Individual boards for roof walk and platforms.

All pictures © Andy Wegmuller