Who makes the best Billboard reefers ?
I don't have any but would like to add a few to my rolling stock
TIA
TerryinTexas
See my Web Site Here
http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/
Are you asking in HO? 36' or 40'?
I really, really like my Atlas 36 foot reefers. The cars feature separately applied door hardware, grab irons, ladders and stirrups, AccuMate knuckle couplers and opening doors and hatches. Truss rods and two styles of ice hatches are applied as appropriate for each roadname. They are RTR and were fine right out of the box. I plan to buy more...
See the "Greenway Products" thread for some info on their beer reefers.
Billboard reefer paint jobs were regulated almost out of existence by the government in 1937. The beer companies weren't too upset about this, because their colorful, eye-catching cars became a target for theives who just wanted to pick up supplies for the weekend without the bother of paying for them.
You might also consider making one or two of your own. Fritz Milhaupt has put together this decal project site for you:
http://www.wyomingyard.com/haggiscar/
I made one of these out of a generic Athearn blue-box car.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Branchline's Bluepritn series has a few out too. Both rtr and AHK MINE GAWD WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THIS MANY PARTS kit form.
I've not run them, but Roundhouse has a couple too.
-Morgan
MisterBeasley wrote: See the "Greenway Products" thread for some info on their beer reefers.Billboard reefer paint jobs were regulated almost out of existence by the government in 1937. The beer companies weren't too upset about this, because their colorful, eye-catching cars became a target for theives who just wanted to pick up supplies for the weekend without the bother of paying for them.You might also consider making one or two of your own. Fritz Milhaupt has put together this decal project site for you:http://www.wyomingyard.com/haggiscar/I made one of these out of a generic Athearn blue-box car.
Thanks for the link
Boy those people at Greenway sure do make a bunch of beer reefers
In my opinion the BEST billboard reefers are the fantasy paint schemes created using fruit crate lables as logos made by companies such as Yesteryear and Showme Hobbies. The are much more intersesting than some of the Swift Meats and Borland Dairy cars.
As far as the quality of the base plastic I would say Tichy Trains and Intermountain are tops. I've seen but don't own any of the newer Atlas 36 footers. They look pretty good to me.
I am not thrilled with some of the Branchline products because they sometimes mold the plastic to the base color and then just paint the logo straight onto the plastic. These always look funny (just not right) to me, even after a layer of dull coat. Other Branchline's are actually painted a base color and then have the logo's applied (I believe the land-o-lakes butter car is this way). These are really nice. So in the Branchline products it depends on the specific model.