N ATH 57' FGE Mechanical Reefer with Sound (ATH-1491)

The 57-foot FGE Mechanical Reefer with Sound is a detailed, ready-to-run HO-scale model of Fruit Growers Express’s classic mechanical refrigerator car. Recreated from prototype drawings and field measurements, this car captures authentic underframe detail—from cushioning and air brake reservoir to the control valve, brake cylinder, and fuel tank—and offers two exhaust-stack options, straight pipe with a flapper or a T-shaped smokejack to mirror prototype variations. It rides on 100-ton roller-bearing trucks with 36-inch machined metal wheels that run smoothly on Code 55 and 80 rail, uses body-mounted McHenry knuckle couplers, and features a highly detailed injection-molded body. Fully assembled, accurately painted and printed for realism, it is weighted for trouble-free operation and designed for a minimum radius of 9¾ inches (11 inches is recommended) to ensure reliable performance on most layouts.

Sound-equipped versions include onboard SoundTraxx sound recorded from an actual reefer unit, with the sound cycling on and off and drawing minimal track power; volume is adjustable on the sound board. The grime-ready variant copies the look of in-service equipment, with faded base colors matched to the prototype to provide a realistic starting point for weathering with grime and rust. These reefers—pioneers in mid-20th-century freight service—help move perishables across the country, delivering fruits, vegetables and meat with freshness preserved over long journeys.