The full-size “TRINCool” reefers are commonly seen in 55-car unit trains on Union Pacific (UP) and CSX. They are also used by the shipper Railex. The trains are loaded with fruits, vegetables, nursery stock, and wine, among other items, at Railex warehouses in Delano, Calif., and Wallula, Wash., for transport to the firm’s distribution center in Rotterdam, N.Y.
With just shy of a 7,000-cubic-foot capacity, a single reefer can handle a load equivalent to three or four semi-trailers. Each car has a global-positioning system for tracking, and its temperature is monitored (and set) via satellite from the UP’s mechanical desk in Omaha, Neb. For more information on the unit trains of TRINCool 64-foot reefers, see “A fresh approach” by Roy Blanchard in the February 2010 Trains magazine.
What stands out most on this model are details, such as the door bars, lower door tracks mounted on stand-off brackets, and the hand brake assembly. These separately applied parts are complemented by uncoupling levers, wire grab irons, and etched-metal crossover platforms.
The model has a one-piece body with a separate roof. The underbody has molded stringers with a separate one-piece casting of the center sill and crossbearers. The brake system is made up of plastic and formed wire parts, many of which are visible from the side. The detailed draft-gear boxes have separate cover plates held in place with Phillips screws.
The side ladders on the B end use straight wire grab irons for rungs, which stick out too far when compared to photos of the full-size car.
The model uses Kadee no. 58 scale magnetic knuckle couplers at the correct height. The American Steel Foundries 100-ton trucks have correctly gauged 36″ metal wheels mounted on plastic axles. The car’s reporting mark and road number are stenciled on the face of the truck, and the bearing caps are painted blue – both nice touches. At 5.9 ounces, the car is .15 ounce too heavy based on National Model Railroad Association recommended practice 20.1.
The white paint is smooth and evenly applied. For the most part the lettering is crisp, though some of the warning labels aren’t legible, even under magnification. As delivered, the reefers didn’t have yellow reflective stripes. However, the positioning of the stripes matches prototype photos of cars that had them added later.
The ExactRail TRINCool 64-foot reefer is a fine model of a contemporary car. These well-detailed cars will certainly get the attention of operators and visitors alike.
Manufacturer
ExactRail LLC
251 W. River Park Dr., Suite 300
Provo, UT 84604
www.exactrail.com
Road name: Union Pacific with ARMN reporting marks (Phase I and III, 24 road numbers per body
style)
Era: 1995 to present
I would appreciate a picture of the CSX paint scheme, maybe just use a picture from the manufacture's website (if it's ok with te manufacture).
I recently picked one of these up after having it on order for awhile. Awesome car, amazing detail. Another great Exactrail release.
got 3 at a train show in ohio 22.00 ea
Anyone know if Tropicana uses these same freight cars? It would be nice to be able to put together a juice train with appropriate Tropicana markings..Joe.
These are indeed fine looking quality rolling stock. I purchased my first dozen of the Phase III units last month with the second dozen being held on lay-a-way for me. At $30 each, my budget only permits buying a dozen at a time, lol. I did purchase 1 of the Phase I units just for comparison purposes only and really can't tell a difference between the two other than the road number series? The quality and attention to detail is absolutely fantastic and I am more than pleased with the purchase. With these units being my first ExactRail cars, I will definitely be purchasing future products from ExatRail. Thanks for a great product guys!
Exactrail and BLMA both offer this car. Exactrail offers both Phase I and Phase III cars while the BLMA model looks like and has the number series of the Phase III cars. Road numbers from each manufacturers' website show a total of 75 unique road numbers. The BLMA are all 111000 series while the Exactrail are 110000 and 111000 for Phase I and Phase III. BLMA based their model on the Railex unit train running from Delano, CA to the northeast. The UP also uses these cars in other unit trains such as Heinz tomato paste shipments from Modesto to PA during the fall.
Great new cars I will purchase a few of them, cannot afford all 24 #s, BLMA is releasing these as well, both companys did an excellent job on the cars.
The cars really look nice except they're missing the graffiti seen of 75% or more of them. I'd also like to see them more readily available. I can't afford to pre-order the diesels and freight cars I want.
Purchased all twenty-four of the Phase III, quite pleased — except when examining the underside the etched-metal crossover platform immediately fell to the floor, and the fuel tank dropped out of position on four of the models… As a former ESPEE employee — it would be nice to see cars lettered SPFE; and 70-foot BNSF cars…
I'm confused. Didn't BLMA (Fullerton, CA) just launch the same product?
nicely detailed
I'm wondering if these Exact Rail cars are numbered in the same series as the ones from BLMA.
Both series are beautifully done and are a very good representative of the prototype, I just wish they weren't on a preorder basis and on a more readily available basis, but I understand when the manufacturer has to determine how many, so they are stuck with hundreds on their shelves, that they are forced to do it this way. Buying even 10 of these cars is a big chip, but I know of one indevidual who has a standing order for these cars so he can accumilate at least several trains worth, I am unfortunately not one of those people.
I'm amazed at the level of detail in theses cars. You get a lot bang for the buck. I always look forward to Exactrail's new releases. They seem to out do themselves with each new car.
Highly detailed cars, quality made, lot of road numbers, as Exactrail can do.