The Westerfield HO 1913 PRR reefer is a craftsman-quality resin kit representing the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Class R60 refrigerator cars built by American Car and Foundry in 1913. This detailed model captures the wooden-sided design used for transporting perishables during the steam era, offering modelers an accurate representation of early 20th-century freight operations.
What Makes the 1913 PRR Reefer Historically Significant
The Pennsylvania Railroad introduced 36 Class R60 refrigerator cars in 1913, built by American Car and Foundry. These 63-foot cars represented the railroad’s commitment to moving perishable freight across its extensive network.
The R60 class featured 184 cubic feet of ice capacity. Combined car and load weight couldn’t exceed 140,000 pounds. This capacity made them suitable for long-distance shipments of produce, dairy products, and other temperature-sensitive goods across PRR’s lines.
These reefers operated during a period when refrigerated transport was transforming American commerce. Before widespread mechanical refrigeration, ice-cooled cars like the R60 class enabled farms and food processors to reach distant markets. The Pennsylvania Railroad’s position as one of America’s largest railroads made these cars essential to the nation’s food distribution network.
The roof finish tells its own story. Until around July of their service life, the roof would have been metallic brown—a detail that matters to modelers seeking period accuracy.
Understanding the Westerfield Model Kit
Westerfield Models produces craftsman-quality resin kits for steam-era freight cars. Their approach focuses on prototype accuracy rather than mass-market simplicity.
Resin kits differ from plastic models in several ways. The casting material allows finer detail reproduction. Parts typically require cleaning and fitting before assembly. The process takes more time but delivers museum-quality results.
The HO scale (1:87) version matches the most common model railroad scale. This makes the car compatible with layouts ranging from basement empires to modular setups. The finished model measures approximately 8.6 inches long, matching the 63-foot prototype’s proportions.
These kits include cast resin body components, detail parts, decals, and assembly instructions. You’ll need to supply trucks (wheel assemblies), couplers, paint, and basic modeling tools. Westerfield typically provides clear construction guidance, though experience with resin helps.
One consideration: Westerfield produces limited runs. When a kit sells out, restocking isn’t guaranteed. The company periodically discontinues items based on demand, so checking current availability matters.
The Prototype: Pennsylvania Railroad Class R60
American Car and Foundry constructed the 36 R60 class reefers in 1913. The wooden construction reflected standard practice for the period. Steel would eventually replace wood in freight car construction, but in 1913, wood remained the norm.
The cars measured 63 feet in length—longer than the standard 40-foot reefer common on many railroads. This extra length provided more cargo space and ice capacity. The generous ice bunkers at each end kept contents cold for several days under good conditions.
The cars rode on standard freight trucks of the era. The underframe used the fishbelly center sill design common to many early steel underframes. This deep, tapered center beam provided strength while allowing the frame to flex slightly under load.
Service life for these cars extended into the 1940s and beyond, though many received modifications over the years. Some gained new roofs, updated braking systems, or different paint schemes. One example survives at the Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona, Pennsylvania—a rare physical connection to this equipment class.
The brown metallic roof finish wasn’t just decorative. It helped reflect sunlight and manage internal temperatures. Different railroads used various roof treatments, but PRR’s choice reflected practical considerations about heat management and maintenance costs.
Building Your Westerfield 1913 PRR Reefer
Required Tools and Materials
You’ll need basic hobby tools: a sharp hobby knife, files or sandpaper (multiple grits), cyanoacrylate adhesive (CA glue), and clamps or weights for holding parts during assembly. A pin vise with small drill bits helps when mounting detail parts.
Paint requirements include PRR freight car color (a brownish red often called Tuscan), metallic brown for the roof, and black for the underframe. Decals come with the kit, but you’ll need a setting solution to help them conform to surface details.
Choose trucks appropriate for the 1913-1920s period. Older friction-bearing trucks work best for steam era accuracy. Andrews or similar arch bar trucks would be historically appropriate, though these gave way to cast steel trucks as the cars aged.
Assembly Tips for Resin Kits
Start by washing all resin parts in warm, soapy water. This removes mold release agents that prevent paint and glue adhesion. Let parts dry completely before working with them.
Test-fit everything before gluing. Resin sometimes warps slightly during casting. Gentle heating (a hair dryer works) can soften parts for straightening. Never use boiling water—it can distort details permanently.
Sand mating surfaces flat for better joints. CA glue works quickly on resin, but the accelerator can fog clear parts. Work in a ventilated area and use the accelerator sparingly.
Build subassemblies first. Complete the body shell, then the underframe, then join them. This approach lets you handle parts more easily and produces cleaner results. Paint and weather components before final assembly when possible.
Take your time with small details. Grab irons, ladders, and brake gear separate good models from great ones. If a part doesn’t fit right, don’t force it. Trim and test-fit until it sits naturally.
Paint and Lettering Guide
Prime the model with gray automotive primer. This provides a uniform base and reveals any surface flaws needing correction. Fix problems now—paint magnifies every flaw.
PRR’s freight car color varied slightly over time and between paint batches. A brownish-red base (often sold as “PRR Freight Car Color” or “Tuscan Red”) captures the general appearance. The exact shade matters less than consistency across your fleet.
Apply the metallic brown roof color carefully. Mask the joint between the roof and sides for a crisp line. Real reefer roofs showed wear from men walking on them during ice service—keep this in mind during weathering.
The underframe should be black or very dark gray. Trucks and couplers typically received the same treatment. Some modelers prefer a slightly lighter shade to improve visibility of underframe details.
Decals require patience. Use plenty of setting solution and work them into panel lines and surface details. The PRR used specific lettering styles and placements that changed over time. Kit instructions should specify the appropriate scheme for the 1913-era car.
Weathering brings the model to life. Start subtle—you can always add more. Roof weathering should show fading and rust streaks where water ran off. Car sides accumulate grime along panel joints and near the bottom. Trucks and underframes collect heavier dirt and rust.
Adding Your Model to a Steam Era Layout
The R60 class operated during the height of American railroad freight service. On your layout, these cars fit naturally in consists hauling perishables from agricultural regions to urban markets.
PRR moved these cars across its entire system. They could appear on branch lines loading at small-town produce sheds or in major freight yards being sorted into long-distance trains. The Pennsylvania Railroad served the Northeast and Midwest, so scenarios from rural Pennsylvania to Chicago yards all work.
Mix your reefer with other steam era freight cars. A typical train might include boxcars, gondolas, hoppers, and multiple reefers. Refrigerator cars often ran in blocks when handling large fruit or vegetable shipments. Individual reefers also appeared in mixed freights carrying less-than-carload quantities.
Consider the seasonal nature of reefer traffic. Summer brought heavy movements of produce. Spring and fall saw different commodities. Winter traffic included some refrigerator cars, but fewer. This seasonal pattern affected how railroads positioned and maintained their reefer fleets.
For photography and display, the model’s distinctive length stands out. The wooden sides and roof details photograph well under layout lighting. Consider positioning the model where visitors can appreciate the craftsmanship—maybe near a loading dock or in a prominent yard track.
Operational layouts benefit from realistic car routing. Give your reefer a waybill, sending it from an agricultural area to a city team track. This creates purpose beyond just running trains—it tells the story of how these cars actually worked.
Where to Find the Westerfield PRR Reefer Model
Westerfield Models sells directly through their website at westerfieldmodels.com. Check their current catalog, as production runs are limited and some kits sell out permanently.
The company operates Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM Pacific Time. The website stays available 24/7 for browsing and ordering. Email contact allows questions about specific kits, availability, and technical details.
Secondary market sources include eBay, train shows, and hobby shops with good back stock. Prices vary based on kit availability and condition. Out-of-production kits sometimes command premium prices from collectors and serious modelers.
Alternative PRR reefer models exist, though they represent different classes and eras. The 1913 R60 fills a specific niche in PRR freight car history. Other manufacturers produce 40-foot wooden reefers that operate alongside these larger cars—mixing types creates a more realistic fleet.
Brass models of PRR reefers occasionally appear, typically at higher prices. These offer different construction methods and detail levels. Resin kits like Westerfield’s provide quality similar to brass at a lower cost, with the satisfaction of personal assembly.
If the specific Westerfield kit isn’t available, consider similar steam era reefer models from Sunshine Models or other specialty manufacturers. While not identical to the R60 class, they capture the same period and operating characteristics.
Joining the PRR Technical and Historical Society (PRRT&HS) connects you with other Pennsylvania Railroad modelers. Members share research, photos, and modeling tips. The society’s publications include prototype information valuable for accurate modeling.
Remember that model availability changes. What’s discontinued today might return in a future production run. Westerfield has reintroduced popular kits when enough interest exists. Expressing interest in the manufacturer sometimes influences production decisions.
The Westerfield HO 1913 PRR reefer represents a specific moment in American railroad history. The model captures the wooden car era when railroads were transforming food distribution. For modelers focusing on Pennsylvania Railroad operations or steam era freight movements, this kit delivers both historical accuracy and modeling satisfaction.
Your completed model tells a story about American commerce, railroad innovation, and the practical challenges of moving perishables before modern refrigeration. That story, rendered in HO scale, makes the modeling effort worthwhile.
