Information on PRB brass Santa Fe 40' steel sided reefers

ChipR!!!?

Where are you!?

He eats this stuff for breakfast

Buried in one of my folders I have the flyers that PRB put out for the cars.  IIRC there were two runs done, or at least it appeared that way.   It lists Rr25-27-28 then Rr32 on one sheet then another with Rr33, Rr34, Rr34 with fans and then Rr35/36/39/40.

 

What was actually produced I'm not sure.  I have an Rr25 and an Rr28 which is good for my era.

 

I'm not aware of any other brass SFRD cars that were done but perhaps Max Gray did some.

Them's the ones I have along with the order sheets.

 

The first run cars were made by FM models.  

I have several of these things. Mine are all FMT not Train World.

Erik,

 

Thanks for posting those data sheets.  Sorry, I got rid of all of my paper when we downsized.

 

ChipR

I finally got my internet back, too much snow and ice build up somewhere.

 

Thanks Erik, Rob and Chip for the interesting education.  It helped me get a better handle on what was manufactured.  After I knew what I was looking for, I was able to find the differences in detailing between some of the classes.  

 

Posting those pictures will allow me to start something of an album, which is a great idea.  I guess that's the only way to catalog them.  I do remember the pictures used in ads.  I ought to go back and see if I can find some of the ads.

 

When I was asking about weathering in the "brass freight car" thread, I mentioned that I see a lot of brass that is essentially like new.  These reefers (which I've been admiring for years) always seem to come up without weathering.  Have any of you weathered yours?

 

This was a great help, thanks.

 

I have weathered mine- lightly

I would contact John Smith, the owner of PRB. I bet he would be glad to help you with info. Although no longer an importer, he still is involved in "O" scale model railroading.

 His email address is john@pecosriverbrass.com 

At 350 + a pop only serious modelers weathered these or any brass cars, most for sale will be pristine,I have known a number of O scalers with large brass collections and none of the ones I saw ever had weathered models although I am sure some did.JMO

The data I posted came from John.



       

i have a bunch of the early OMI dealer bulletins i would be happy to sell.

       
       



I might need 1 or 2 can I get back to you on that Bob?

I have most every issue of the Overland Mail but I think I missing 1 or 2.

The PRB reefers john did for atsf are sublime.  I have a bakers dozen and need to lightly weather them.

       
       



John was an amazing importer; a case of a genious being at the right time and the right place in the market. He created for us a plethora of truly fabulous models likely never to be redone again. If not for many of his projects we would not have had many models in o scale.

Thank you John Smith- we, I owe you a hand shake and thanks

 

I would have loved a lot more freight cars but his passenger cars always stand out... present and future classics.

 

One has to wonder if the times would have continued... Just think of the cars that John would have done.

 

Then think if Pat O'Boyle would have continued as well as Steve and his partner for KMW. 

 

Add in Rich Yoder and Norm and Protocraft; every major and many lesser great freight cars would have been done in brass.

 

My debt would be rivaling the US national debt.

 

 

The wide reefer doors and reverse opening ice hatches make for a very unique ATSF SFRD look in a reefer block. I have a nice assortment of the various classes and AtSF slogans PRB did.  the higher numbered classes have hatches openning toward the end of the car while the older classes open toward the middle.  Other variations among the classes include platforms around the hatches, roof walk material (wood vs steel), and the style of the map.  Prototype data sheets were packaged with the cars.  A built up 50' SFRD wood reefer (nice Ambroid kit) makes for an interesting addition to a block of 40' SFRD reefers.  Unfortunately once you see a correct model of an SFRD reefer the fantesy Santa Fe schemes on "generic" 40' steel reefers just doesn't look quite right.  Perhaps someday one will be done correctly in plastic.

 

Ed Rappe