N ATH 57' FGE Mechanical Reefer with Sound (ATH-1481)

An N-scale 57-foot Fruit Growers Express mechanical reefer, this ready-to-run model is designed to haul perishable freight across a layout. It faithfully reproduces a postwar mechanical refrigeration car with a smooth-sided body, detailed underframe, and two era-appropriate exhaust stack options to reflect prototype variations. The model arrives fully assembled, accurately painted, and printed for prototypical realism.

Riding on 100-ton roller-bearing trucks with 36-inch wheels that run on Code 55 and 80 rails, it uses body-mounted McHenry knuckle couplers for reliable operation. The injection-molded, highly detailed body is weighted for stable, smooth performance, with a minimum radius of 9¾ inches and an 11-inch recommended radius. Sound-equipped variants feature onboard SoundTraxx sound recorded from a real reefer unit, with adjustable volume and sound cycling on and off at low track power. For weathering enthusiasts, a grime-ready version is primed with faded base colors to simulate an In-Service appearance and provides a natural starting point for adding rust and grime. Prototype background notes explain that Fruit Growers Express owned the largest reefer fleet in the East, with many cars built at Jacksonville Shops.