Walthers GACX Express Reefer with GSC "Commonwealth" Trucks Adds Variety to Passenger Consists

Milwaukee, Wis. -- Walthers announces the release of the all-new 50' GACX Wood Express Reefer with GSC Trucks to its growing line of HO Scale passenger equipment. This new car will be available in February 2005.

From the 1920s to the 1960s, wooden express reefers carried traffic that was an important source of income for the railroads. They could be found at the head end of important passenger trains from coast to coast, carrying time-sensitive shipments such as seasonal fruit, milk and cream, and fresh-cut flowers. Passenger trains offered shippers the fastest service, as such, heavy steel underframes, steam and communication lines, passenger-type brake systems and other appliances were a must. High-speed trucks were also a necessity, and the most common and most popular design was General Steel Castings Corporation's "Commonwealth." This sturdy design was a one-piece casting with integral journal pedestals and remained in use for many years. On the inside of the reefer, collapsible ice bunkers could be stored near the ceiling, allowing plenty of space for mail and express shipments.

As Walthers continues to expand its line of heavyweight and streamlined cars, the 50' GACX Reefer with GSC Trucks will add variety to modelers' head-end car fleet. This new model features the same level of superb detail as other Walthers cars; new details include McHenry™ knuckle couplers and GSC Commonwealth-style trucks. The cars come ready for service, but for added realism modelers can add the supplied set of formed wire grab irons. Molded drill starter points on the body simplify installation by the modeler.

The models will be offered as single cars and in limited-run two-packs offering modelers a quick and easy way to build a fleet with as many as three different car numbers per roadname.

Single Cars $24.98 Each
932-5478 Rock Island
932-5479 Denver & Rio Grande Western
932-5480 Railway Express Agency
932-5481 Seaboard Air Line*
932-5482 Soo Line
932-5483 Union Refrigerator (URTX)
932-5484 Western Pacific
932-5499 Undecorated

Limited-Run 2-Packs $49.98 Each
932-25478 Rock Island
932-25479 Denver & Rio Grande Western
932-25480 Railway Express Agency
932-25481 Seaboard Air Line*
932-25482 Soo Line
932-25483 Union Refrigerator (URTX)

The new GACX 50' Wood Express Reefers with GSC Trucks will be available from Walthers starting in February 2005. For more information on Walthers HO Scale passenger cars, or to locate a dealer, visit Walthers on the Internet at walthers.com. Call 414-527-0770 or write Walthers, PO Box 3039, Milwaukee, WI 53201-3039.