HO Santa Fe RR-56 Mechanical Reefer: Super Chief Slogan #2000 (Rapido 156001)

Rapido's blueprint-accurate HO Santa Fe RR-56 mechanical reefer with the Super Chief slogan, road number SFRD 2000.

The Prototype

Santa Fe ran one of the largest refrigerator car fleets in America through its Santa Fe Refrigerator Despatch (SFRD), carrying California and Arizona produce east and frozen foods across the country. In the 1950s the railroad moved from ice-bunker reefers to mechanical refrigeration, with diesel-powered cooling units that held a set temperature for the whole trip.

Santa Fe introduced the RR-56 class in 1955, building on lessons learned from the earlier RR-54 cars. The class totaled 200 cars numbered 2000–2188 and 2500–2510. They were built with SFRD reporting marks, which changed to SFRP in 1963. The similar RR-60 and RR-61 classes followed with improved insulation.

Santa Fe also used its freight cars as rolling billboards for its famous passenger trains. This car carries the Super Chief slogan, advertising the all-Pullman streamliner between Chicago and Los Angeles. As #2000, it's the first car of the RR-56 class.

Features

• Drawn from original Santa Fe blueprints and drawings
• Lettering and artwork sourced from original design drawings and photos
• Separate door posts, door latches and coupler cut levers
• Fully detailed underframe with piping and mechanical equipment
• Detailed cushion draft gear with Kadee #158 whisker couplers
• Roof hatch can be posed open or closed
• See-through side grills
• Trane diesel generator detail (non-operating)
• Ready to run

Specs

• Scale: HO (1:87)
• Manufacturer: Rapido Trains
• Item #: 156001 (Super Chief slogan run)
• Road / number: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (SFRD) #2000
• Car type: RR-56 class mechanical refrigerator car

Also available individually: sister cars #2032, #2063 and #2064 from the same run. Buy all four for a solid block of reefers. Photo shows the Super Chief slogan scheme; road number may differ.