Santa Fe Reefers - What Options Do I Have?

[riogrande5761]

Sounds like you have it covered.  If Athearn and Accurail aren't really up to your standard, then the only cheaper option would be to find the Intermountain kits and build them.  You didn't say if you were looking for ice or mechancial reefers.  Athearn makes both and so does Intermountain.  BTW, I picked up about 5 of my Intermountain RTR mechanical reefers on sale for $21 ea so if you arer patient and watch for sales or go to train shows, you can find some bargains.

Athearn has produced some nice 50' ice reefers and I've seen them for $20 RTR if you hunt around.

I need some Intermountain PFE ice reefers for a Cab Forward steam engine - Intermountain produces new runs of reefers about every couple years.  IIRC, they just release a new run of ATSF ice reefers a few months back.  I don't follow the kits and am not sure if IMR is still making them or if you have to treasure hunt them on Ebay.

I've never built either the CB&T or IMR kits but I'm pretty sure the CB&T pre-date the IMR kits and are different.

As far as price goes, 28-30 dollars is the going street price for the Intermountain ice reefer RTR cars, but they are nicely detailed.  I picked up 3 of the PFE version last fall for around 27 or 28 each and am planning on getting more when new runs come out.  When MBK got the last run in stock, FYI they were listed as for $27.79 - Retail Price: $36.95

[Trainman440]

Hi, I want to buy a small fleet of Santa Fe reefers (Rr23/Rr25). 

I don't have a LOT of $$$, but I do have a lot of time. 

I want a car that looks at least somewhat like the prototype...

I believe that these are my options...

Athearn BB kits - don't look real.... the door dimensions are wayyy too off for a Santa fe Reefer. 

Accurail - models the santa fe old wood style reefer. Im looking for steel. 

REALLY OLD wood/steel kits- no

C&BT Santa Fe reefer kits - I just learned about these recently....heard that the truck and coupler heights need to be adjusted...I think I can do that. Does anyone have any past experiences to share?

Intermountain KIT Santa Fe Reefer - Can someone tell me the difference between these and the C&BT kits? Are they the same? Im really confused between these two. Thanks

Intermountain RTR - These are $30 for EACH car....Im too broke for that!

 

Thanks,

Charles