The major packing companies did indeed run what were properly termed "peddler
cars" For LCL meat and packinghouse products, (the way freight cars on locals
were not true "peddler cars". Peddler car had a fixed meaning in commerical
trade circles i.e. the packing business). The peddler would run in through
trains to a "break bulk point" and then in locals as it was worked from town to
town, delivering orders to various meat markets. By the way, these orders were
probably taken by "drumers" who traveled from town to town by local pessenger
or mixed trains. And they sent their orders to the home office using the
services of Western Union, whose office likely as not was at the depot. The
peddlers were operated on fixed schedule, (usually weekly on the same day of
the week). The IC operated a Swift peddler car into the late 50's. It "broke
bulk" at Carbondale and "peddled" south of there. I know the Q operated a
"peddler" to Paducah until the 40's. It
"broke bulk" at Paducah and "peddled" over the NC&StL south of there. REA also
peddled meat and packing house products on passenger trains in the hey day of
local pessenger trains.
--- On Fri, 1/7/11, Douglas Harding <doug.harding@iowacentralrr.org> wrote:
From: Douglas Harding <doug.harding@iowacentralrr.org>
Subject: [CBQ] Re: LCL
To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, January 7, 2011, 10:33 PM
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]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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