N ATH 57' FGE Mechanical Reefer, FGCX #11952 (ATH-1476)

57-foot Mechanical Reefer Car from Fruit Growers Express is a ready-to-run HO-scale model that recreates a mid-20th-century mechanical refrigeration car used to move perishables coast to coast. Scaled from prototype drawings and field measurements, it captures accurate underframe details such as Keystone cushioning, an air brake reservoir, control valve, brake cylinder, and fuel tank, plus two authentic exhaust stack styles—straight pipe with a flapper or a T-shaped smokejack—to reflect era variations. The car rides on body-mounted McHenry knuckle couplers and 100-ton roller bearing trucks with 36-inch machined metal wheels that run on all Code 55 and 80 rail, and arrives fully assembled, precisely painted, and weighted for reliable operation. The injection-molded body is highly detailed, and the design supports a minimum turning radius of 9¾ inches, with 11 inches recommended for best performance on typical layouts.

Sound-equipped models feature onboard SoundTraxx sounds recorded from an actual reefer unit, programmed to cycle on and off and designed to operate with minimal track power, with volume adjustable on the sound board. For weathering enthusiasts, grime-ready finishes reproduce the in-service appearance with faded base colors matched to the prototype, providing a natural starting point for adding grime and rust to taste.