Genesis: Western Fruit Express Boxcar

A 57-foot, sound-equipped mechanical refrigerator car has been added to the Athearn Genesis line. The HO scale model, based on a Fruit Growers Express (FGE) prototoype, is offered in nine different body styles with prototype-specific sills and door hardware.

 

Our sample is decorated as BNSF Ry. no. 799772. The full-size car was part of an order built for the St. Louis-San Francisco at FGE’s Alexandria, Va., shops in 1971.

The model’s dimensions closely match drawings in the 1974 Simmons-Boardman Car and Locomotive Cyclopedia. The distance over the pulling faces was a scale foot too long, but this is typical due to the design of model couplers. Information on the compact disc Freight Cars Illustrated, Vol. 12 states that the reefer was upgraded with a Thermo King SD-711-SR tractor-trailer style refrigeration unit. It’s lettered as a Carrier unit on the model.

Features

• McHenry scale knuckle couplers, mounted at proper height
• Metal wheels mounted on plastic axles, correctly gauged
• Separately applied details
• Weight: 5.5 ounces (0.5 ounce too heavy based on NMRA recommended practice 20.1)
• Wire grab irons and stirrup steps