The first attempts at shipping refrigerated perishable goods via rail were tried in the 1840’s with the advent of insulated boxcars packed with ice and produce. By the 1880’s the specialized version of the U.S. rail car, the refrigerator car, was the province of private freight car lines who leased their cars to shippers of produce. In addition to these lines, many of the larger shippers, particularly meatpackers, operated their own line of cars and decorated their broad flat sides with advertising describing the shipped contents. The private freight car lines also sold advertising space on the sides of their cars however these ads could be, and often were, independent of the car contents. The ICC ended this practice in 1937.

The dozen or so pages of text provide brief histories of several of the car lines but the bulk of the book is a pictorial record of many of these cars. Most of the pictures are three-quarter or broadside stand-alone builder photos dating after 1920. The book does contain an index of owners. While this book may be of interest to the rail historian I think its primary value is as a reference source for a model builder. (Text/Picture Length - 212 pages, Total Length - 224 pages. Includes glossary and index) (Book Dimensions inches LxWxH - 8.75 x 1.0 x 11.25) ( )