Number series of BREX 40' Plugdoors (not reefers)

[OldEastRR]

I'm looking for pictures or at least the series numbers for the steel insulated plug doors BREX had built in the early '50s. I know they stopped building steel reefers by then. From what I understand they kept the script "everywhere west" side slogan until the paint scheme was revised in 1957, so I assume some of these plugdoors had that scheme. In '57 they went to a larger logo and font print for the slogan.

[peteski]

They are available in N scale?

[Missaberoad]

I'll check my ORERs and reference material in the morning, but a quick glance shows that they received orders of ice reefers at least as late as '52. If none beats me to it I'll let you know about RB cars...

Bill Welsh would be the person to ask about anything FGE/WFE/BRE, he is working on a comprehensive book about the consortium.

[wazzou]

I'm not sure of insulated, non refrigerated BREX cars but I believe the Q purchased 40' reefers as late as 1952 from PC&F in series 76250-76349.
These followed 1951 cars 76000-76249 built by FGE in Indiana.

[OldEastRR]

I know the Q bought its last ice reefers in 1952. Funny I can't find a proto picture of the plug door insulated cars in the pre '57 version paint scheme. I know there must have been some, they had mech reefers by then!!

[OldEastRR]

They are available in N scale?

No these are ConCor 40' plug door ice reefers I removed the hatches from, added extra roof corrugations/ribs and a roofwalk from a regular 40' boxcar. Not exactly like the prototype but as you know nobody makes that version car in N scale. At least it has the riveted panels. I painted some up FGE but BREX apparently used the same type car.  BLW was closing them out so I bought a bunch.



I was wondering if I should write an article about doing the conversions. Of course as soon as I do Atlas or IM will bring out the correct model.

[Missaberoad]

After a bit more digging BREX did not have any 40' RBL cars...

The first insulated boxcars they appear to have bought were 50' cars starting in 1957 and were painted Green/yellow...

https://searcharchives.vancouver.ca/uploads/r/null/9/2/925324/7dc5e7e3-7457-4cb8-8511-ce043c9eda47-A28712.jpg

[thomasjmdavis]

I'm not sure of insulated, non refrigerated BREX cars but I believe the Q purchased 40' reefers as late as 1952 from PC&F in series 76250-76349.
These followed 1951 cars 76000-76249 built by FGE in Indiana.

While I realize that it's not applicable to the OP's question, the Con-cor car as modeled (with hatches off), or the Atlas plug door car note: Old East's comment down below is correct, the Atlas has a PS-1 style roof- I should have pulled a car out of the box instead of going with a couple sources that call it an "AAR prototype" and/or recommended it as a close stand in for the FGE cars., would be fair starting points for FGE cars built in the mid 50s (overly thick ladders and running boards notwithstanding).  The Fall 2017 CEIHS "CEI Flyer" magazine had an article on FGE insulated cars (RBL) that were carried on the C&EI roster.

[thomasjmdavis]

I'm looking for pictures or at least the series numbers for the steel insulated plug doors BREX had built in the early '50s. I know they stopped building steel reefers by then. From what I understand they kept the script "everywhere west" side slogan until the paint scheme was revised in 1957, so I assume some of these plugdoors had that scheme. In '57 they went to a larger logo and font print for the slogan.

It might be of some help if you could cite the reference for "the steel insulated plug doors BREX had built in the early '50s".  All the BREX I have any reference for (plus a google search) are refrigerator cars, with the newer cars built being as mechanical reefers.  Burlington also had several other subsidiaries for refrigerator and insulated cars, such as BRMX and RBBQ (the latter being RBLs, but 57'+), could the cars you are looking for be in one of those?

[OldEastRR]

Seems from the info I've seen here BREX didn't have any insulated boxcars like the FGE one. Luckily I haven't decaled the car yet so FGE it becomes!

[wcfn100]

Seems from the info I've seen here BREX didn't have any insulated boxcars like the FGE one. Luckily I haven't decaled the car yet so FGE it becomes!

Perhaps because the "R" in BREX stands for refrigerator.   

Kidding aside, BHIX, BRCX, BREX, BRMX and RBBX are all reporting marks for the Burlington Refrigerator Express Company, the only RBL (and RBLD) cars listed are series 79000 to 79924 which were 50' cars with RBBX reporting marks.


Jason

[OldEastRR]

While I realize that it's not applicable to the OP's question, the Con-cor car as modeled (with hatches off), or the Atlas plug door car, would be fair starting points for FGE cars built in the mid 50s

The 40' Atlas plug door has a PS-1 roof and isn't correct for FGE. Same for the MTL plugdoor roof.

[thomasjmdavis]

The 40' Atlas plug door has a PS-1 roof and isn't correct for FGE...

You are correct (as you already know) on the roof of the Atlas.  I made an edit in my comment above.

[bbussey]

You also can salvage the sides from the Con-Cor model and merge them with components from the InterMountain AAR boxcar models to achieve a reasonable replica of the prototype, by removing the sides from the InterMountain core and grafting in the Con-Cor sides.  The detail relief on the Con-Cor sides still holds up well.

[OldEastRR]

Really not much work to get a passable car out of the ConCor. Chiselling off the incorrect ladders on the ends and lightly filing some of the overthick corrugations, along with an etched brass or MTL boxcar roofwalk helps a lot. The only tricky part is making extra roof corrugations out of .010" styrene sheet to match the molded-on ones. But the roofwalk helps hide the homemade ones on each end.