These rib-sided cars were originally sold by MDC/Roundhouse (released some time during the 90's). They were alternately available RTR as well as in kit form. Circa 2005, Athearn acquired all the old MDC/Roundhouse cars and re-released these cars under their own label (some with weathering) -
I'm told that these former MDC cars are based on the Pacific Fruit Express R-70-20 to R-70-24 class of reefers. Said cars were built between 1969 and 1971 and remain in service to this day.
Athearn released all-new smoothside 57' reefer models in 2015 (some equipped with factory-installed DCC-Sound). Detailing varies based on the specific prototype (riveted or welded carbody, straight or drop sill, modernized or as-delivered refrigeration unit, body-mounted or truck-mounted brakes). According to Athearn, these cars are based on FGE prototypes first built around 1970 -
The old truck-mounted couplers were changed to body-mounted McHenry couplers starting with the 2015 release (for both the smoothside and rib-side cars).
Athearn features (rib-sided cars) -
- Fully assembled and ready for your layout
- Razor sharp printing and painting
- Weighted for optimum performance
- Body mounted McHenry scale knuckle spring couplers installed
- Machined 33” metal wheels
- Window packaging for easy viewing
- Interior plastic blister safely holds the model for convenient storage
- Minimum radius: 10"
Athearn features (smoothsided cars) -
- Available with onboard SoundTraxx sound
- Scaled from prototype manufacturer's drawings and field measurements
- Repaints often vary by road number in the size and style of the reporting marks, car numbers and patch shapes
- Four different road numbers each except WFE
- See-through protective screens on the genset end
- Detroit Diesel 2-71 Genset visible inside
- End wall corrugation visible inside
- Inner refrigerator bulkhead
- See through crossover platforms
- Full underframe detail including Keystone cushioning, air brake reservoir, control valve, brake cylinder, brake plumbing, and fuel tank
- Body-mounted or truck-mounted brakes per prototype
- McHenry operating scale knuckle couplers
- 100-ton roller bearing trucks with electrical pickups
- Fully-assembled and ready-to-run
- Accurately painted and printed for prototypical realism
- Highly-detailed, injection-molded body
- Machined metal wheels
- Weighted for trouble free operation
- Wheels operate on Code 55, 70, 75 and 80 rail
- Window packaging for easy viewing
- Packaging interior safely holds the model for convenient storage
- Minimum radius: 12"
- Recommended radius: 15"