Fruit Growers Express - 34' Woodside updated Reefer Set #1

34 Fuss Holzkühlwaggon - neuere Bauform

Fruit Growers Express

Betriebsnummern FGEX 42304, 42368

A 34' woodside reefer from the East-West Coast  FRUIT GROWERS EXPRESS initially created for perishable, Eastern agricultural products!  Especially suited for modest Z Scale layouts, this new FT car is the same size as the small FT  hoppers and appropriate for the Steam to Diesel era!  Equipped with Full Throttle  couplers, trucks and metal wheelsets, a heavy weight has been added for flawless tracking.

Now controlled by CSX Corp., Fruit Growers Express (FGE) was an Armour Meats refrigerator car leasing Co., incorporated in 1920 and based in Alexandria, VA  and Jacksonville, FL. C&EI, NH, and N&W became major stockholders. Originally serving the Eastern USA, in 1923 FGE and GN railway formed the Western Fruit Express to compete with Pacific Fruit Express and Santa Fe in the West! FGE expanded into the Midwest and Pacific Northwest USA via a partnership with the CB&Q railroad forming Burlington Refrigerator Express (BREX). All these consolidations, acquisitions and purchases led to thousands of reefer cars on hand and a vital enterprise of freight car repair and servicing. In 1928 FGE formed the National Car Co., a subsidiary to support the meat transportation market. The Alexandria, VA maintenance facility was closed down in 1994.

At the turn of the 19th Century, during America's Industrial Revolution, Railroads refurbished many of their older cars for more modern use.  Steel underframes, Bettendorf trucks, and newer brake systems were employed.  Full Throttle  brings Z Scale a small, renovated 34' freight/reefer/ice car which would find use on the Railroads into the early diesel era!

Full Throttle  models are packed with care into foam cradles, marketed as 2-pks. in 

clear plastic, stackable cases, and complete with colorful cardstock liners including the Railroad Herald and lots of model information!  All FT cars are weighted, use blackened/insulated metal wheelsets and wear knuckle couplers.