Ted I have been told (not confirmed) that meat was handled in LCL reefers. I
believe this was early before roads improved, esp along branchlines. I have
a photo of a 40' wood Soo Line reefer marked as being in meat LCL service.
Operations were such that the local dropped the car at the depot or team
track while switching the town, each agent was responsible for opening the
car, ensuring the local grocer or butcher got his order, then the car was
closed sealed and picked up by the local as it was leaving to head to the
next stop.
These cars travel their route perhaps once a week. They were not from the
meat packing concerns, but more likely from the general grocery providers,
ie Western Grocer in central Iowa. Hence a RR provided car and not a
standard meat reefer. These grocery wholesalers bought meat on the open
market from all packing houses, as well as purchased name brands, such as
Swift Premium hams, Armour Star brands, etc. The local grocer or butcher
would place his weekly order, ie so many hams, lbs bacon, hamburger, etc.
The warehouse loaded the car with the order and the railroad delivered.
I do not have anything related to routings, or specific railroads, just
hearsay type comments gleamed from numerous sources.
I am at Cocoa Beach, had dinner with Jim Singer. Rapido announced they are
doing the General American 37' Meat Reefer in HO. Doing the version built
between 1937 and 1940 with wood sides, ends and roof, steel underframe and
tabbed side sill. The cars ran with GARX and URTX reporting marks and under
various lessors. The model will have Barber S-1 trucks and Equipco hand
brakes. Ladders and grabs will of course be stand-off, and full underbody
detail is included., the roof hatches will have the correct diamond tread
pattern. The prototype photos are in RP Cyc #14.
Their rep at the show expects production models hopefully for the NMRA
convention in Sacramento this summer. Pricing will be $39.95 RTR. There will
be undecs, and he is working on convincing the company to do undecs as kits.
He is also hoping to have a supply of parts available as well, but that has
not been determined. This evening he told he that perhaps the undec kits
will have a lower price. P/L schemes look like a roster of meat reefers as
shown in the RP Cyc #14.
Everyone one thing that was stressed, Rapido does production runs based upon
orders. They do not have a warehouse, they do not do large over runs. So if
you want this car begin telling your dealer, and make sure you have a dealer
who will order and hold for you. Be sure to check Rapido's website
http://www.rapidotrains.com/ for more announcements as they come. Bill S is
not a member of our list. I suspect Clark and I will try to keep you
informed, but then again we may not. You are all big kids, you can do your
own legwork if you want this model.
Doug Harding
www.iowacentralrr.org
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CBQ/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CBQ/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
CBQ-digest@yahoogroups.com
CBQ-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
CBQ-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
|