HO Tropicana Train

[Anonymous]

I'm in the process of putting together an HO
scale Tropicana Juice Train. I have all of the
Athearn-produced TPIX cars as well as one each
of the Con-Cor and Eel River cars (all orange
scheme). I also have a couple of the Walthers
cryo reefers.

So what else should I get to represent other cars
on the train. Any ideas on how best to model the
CSX insulated cars at the head end?

[Anonymous]

This train goes through Richmond VA about twice a week I believe. I see it on a concrete arch bridge on the CSX double track mainline going to Acca yard of the former RF&P. I will try and notice things on the train for a few weeks, but I don't see it every week. BTW, I saw an off-white Tropicana car with a logo looking like a pair of oranges on the side. The car was numbered 198990 in turquois colored letters. I believe it had the special cushion couplers at the ends. Also had smooth sides and I believe corregated ends.

I'll let you kow what I see on the trains but I can't do much to help you madel them; it's just not my area of intrest. Good Luck - Ed

[Anonymous]

Juan, there must be New Jersey rail forums out there. I know the train ends up in Harrison, N.J. which is right adjacent to Newark. Maybe some local fans can help you out.
But I also have a question for you. You mentioned that there are CSX cars on the train. I thought that it was solely a Tropicana train. Do they still use their own engines? I know they had one or two in Harrison at the plant. Please explain the CSX cars to me.
John

[Anonymous]

In the past, the Juice Train's carried a few CSX
insulated cars (in standard CSX lettering on
blue, with additional lettering indicating
they are leased Fruit Growers Express cars)
bearing non-refrigerated products (e.g., Twisters
and such) at the head end. More recently (2 weeks
ago, in fact), some of the new white reefers in
the train had the Tropicana logos (with the
orange) with CSXT reporting marks. I know there's
no current model of the new reefers, but I'd love
to include a few of the CSX insulated cars.