IM R-70-20 Refers

[GaryHinshaw]

Athearn/MDC has the unchopped version of this car in several PFE variants:

http://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=57'+Reefer&CatID=TNRF

What was included in the Mocalova kit?  I'm not familiar with that (and I gather it's not still available).

[tom mann]

So what is the advantage of the chopped version?  Better airflow for the refrigerator unit?

[Ian MacMillan]

Very nice cars, I could go for some for my food warehouses.

[bbussey]

1969 apparently.
If they do them up in PFE I'm in for one!
http://www.imrcmodels.com/ho/html/48801.htm

You're talking about the original cars, not the conversions.
Not saying IMRC won't do them, but it would be additional tooling, as these have a big hole in the roof. (and sides)

IMRC is going to release the as-built version also, but they are releasing the model of the converted car first.

[Denver Road Doug]

So what is the advantage of the chopped version?  Better airflow for the refrigerator unit?

My wild arse guesses:
-Yes, airflow was more important for the higher efficiency unit
-Using the standard carrier form factor probably meant cutting the car in some manner anyway.
-The Carrier Ultima units have GPS and removing part of the roof was more cost effective (and durable) than a GPS dome on top
-Opening things up made for easier maintenance
-Anti-theft features in the Ultima units meant that theft was an acceptible risk proposition given the benefits of opening things up.

I found some unconfirmed info that BNSF did 76 conversions, while UP had almost 3500.  They weren't all the same class though....not sure how many R-70-20's we're talking about.
http://www.uprr.com/customers/ag-prod/attachments/reefer_fleet.pdf

[Robbman]

So what is the advantage of the chopped version?  Better airflow for the refrigerator unit?

Refrigeration unit that's not a decades old POS...

[Heath]

I might be interested in finishing that!

You're on Tom!  Here is where it stands now:




[The reefer unit slides in after painting.]  It's actually not as bad as I remembered. The only problem is the current white isn't quite opaque enough and it's dead flat.  If you can manage a very thin coat of gloss white, it probably wouldn't need stripping.  PM me and we can make arrangements.  All I ask is that you post pictures of your results.  

Gary

Where did you get that awesome ac unit.I love it

[ljudice]

Gary - nice job on that car!!!

[GaryHinshaw]

Heath, the reefer unit is a Fine N Scale resin casting from this set.  I just mounted it on a styrene wall and added a bit of wire "piping".  The other bits that went into this were some BLMA ladders and K&S etched screen stock.

Thanks Lou.  It turned out well up to the paint job.  Tom is going to inherit it now and rescue it from oblivion. 

[Heath]

Heath, the reefer unit is a Fine N Scale resin casting from this set.  I just mounted it on a styrene wall and added a bit of wire "piping".  The other bits that went into this were some BLMA ladders and K&S etched screen stock.

Thanks Lou.  It turned out well up to the paint job.  Tom is going to inherit it now and rescue it from oblivion. 

Thanks I didn't know those existed,learn something new everyday.Thanks alot    Heath