K-Line vs Atlas O Billboard Reefers: Do they look exactly the same?

I have no idea if they did or did not.  But, I have some of those K-line REEFERS and they are wonderful.

I don't think Atlas offered reefers with removable roofs or loads.  John

If K-line made the same color scheme reefers that were issued previously by Atlas and the Atlas reefers were based on actual RR reefers then both companies "copied".  But the coincidence that K-line mfd the same reefers is not lost on me for several reasons.  Did Atlas allow K-line to access the same company for tooling and assembly?  Years ago I was looking for the Atlas Columbia Soups reefer but was too late.  Not long after, K-line came out with that reefer.  I will compare trucks, couplers and under carriage detail on other Atlas reefers with the K-line later.  Regarding ownership of molds for model train rolling stock and engines, and sharing same with different retail companies, I have no clue.  I am certain others will have inside info to share.  BTW, I like my K-line reefer.

MTH just released their 36' version of the Columbia reefers and they are very nice. I have one of the Atlas 40' versions as well. I'm not very familiar with much of what K-Line made but I have been doing some research here lately. I want one of their 4-6-6t engines for sure.

The reefers K-Line was putting out at the end were superb,  Many even had lift off roofs with hanging loads like pork or beef.  The little hooks could be a tad tedious but they looked great on a siding with the door open.  Just needed a little mist when the cold air hit the warm.

I have the identical reefers from both K-Line and Atlas and to be, I’m 99.8% certain they are made on the same tooling

Randy B- The Western Depot has new ones.  I got mine from the eastern depot, but her website is not online anymore.

Matt Makens posted:

I have the identical reefers from both K-Line and Atlas and to be, I’m 99.8% certain they are made on the same tooling

I didn't think that the Atlas roofs came off. If not, how could they be from the same tooling?

I don't believe that the Atlas and K-Line reefers were made from the same tooling or are identical.  There were a number of side-by-side comparisons made on this forum and others when K-line decided to follow Atlas's lead into highly detailed reefers.  At the time Atlas refers were the gold standard and commanded a premium price with their limited runs, prototypical roadnames, accurate color schemes and very finely detailed hand placed detail parts.  K-Line got into "reefer madness" shortly after seeing the high interest and prices paid for Atlas reefers and typical of K-line at this time, they produced a "similar" finely detailed car but added as posted above car loads of boxes, bananas and beef or pork sides and had a street price that was half that of the Atlas version.  IIRC, besides price some of the noted differences were that the Atlas models had more fragile add-on pieces and that some of K-line's paint colors, although expertly applied were not always 100% accurate (but that might be more for the rivet counters).  It was also at this time that Lionel came out with their highly detailed milk/dairy reefers that included the stainless looking interior tank.  At the time you were certain to be pleased with the variety of these highly detailed and colorful reefers, be it Atlas, K-Line or Lionel.  I still remember the K-Line reefer specials from JusTrains, Nicholas Smith, and Jim Sutter: sometimes $30 each or 4 for $100.  During the K-Line blowouts some were $20 each.

I’m suffering from ‘reefer madness ‘ as NY contemplates legalization of marijuana! LOL!!!!

 I just scored 6 Atlas billboard reefers NIB for a steal. I have some Kline, MTH, and Atlas. All are great IMO! I have to ask though, I only have MTH 36’ reefers and they’ve got excellent under body details. Are the 40’ reefers as detailed? From photos I’ve looked at they appeared to be pretty void of details underneath.

Hello, I don't have an answer to the asked question but I do remember that before WWII, there was a New York modeler who was an excellent artist and he created a large number of billboard reefers and I think that Atlas0 gained access to his drawings for the design of their line of reefers.

Art Howes posted:

Hello, I don't have an answer to the asked question but I do remember that before WWII, there was a New York modeler who was an excellent artist and he created a large number of billboard reefers and I think that Atlas0 gained access to his drawings for the design of their line of reefers.

Art,  He may have been Bob Wagner who was a member of one of the old time O scale clubs in the New York City area.  John in Lansing, ILL

The one K-Line reefer I have is a match for the yellow/green CNW that Atlas offered as a pair. The big difference is the K-Line Bettendorf trucks. The Atlas trucks are much nicer, even in 3-rail (gotta 2-rail these at some point). The K-Line also came with Kadee clone scale couplers, pre-drilled/tapped holes and screws. With the hi-rail wheels, they were at the correct height. The removable roof, hooks and carcasses was a nice touch, especially if you want to use the K-Line car as part of a diorama. K-Line was definitely cashing in on "Reefer Madness" back then. The one set of cars I wanted to get, though fantasy, was the "Santa Fe Peaches" four-car set, but I don't think it was actually produced.

I finally got around to comparing an Atlas reefer to my Columbia reefer.  As Matt stated the Atlas trucks are better than the K-line and are noticeably different in appearance.  But other than that, the underside detail of each that I compared appeared to be identical, the roofs, ladders, roof walkway, dimensions of woodsides and ice hatch details as well.  There were different end support brakets for the roof walkway and brake wheel details. 

Jim Z: FWIW, I have several 36 foot Atlas wood reefers and they have the underside reinforced cable that was not on the 40 foot Atlas reefers.  I have not yet researched enough about the design differences but I wonder if many of the 36 foot reefers  had wood frames and required reinforcement, while the 40 footers had steel frames.  Just a thought.  

Hello John, yes it was Bob Wagner who created the model billboard reefers. Thank you.