Correct colors for older PFE reefers?

[stratcatgenius]

Hello folks,

Here's another prototype question for y'all - what are the correct colors for the older R-23-40 style Pacific Fruit Express reefers?

Microscale says reefer yellow sides with black roof, ends, and underbody and trucks. The Espee Modeler's page sez daylight Orange. I see some pics with orange body, boxcar red ends and roof, and black underbody and trucks.

Any rhyme to this? some of both for variety? I've got the decals with the full color UP logo if that helps pinpoint it...

Thanks in advance,
GENE

[Nick Lorusso]

Gene
In the PFE book it says daylight orange and all the reefers I have from MTL and intermountain in N-scale are all orange w/brownish red roof and ends. Hopes this helps.

Nick

[stratcatgenius]

Hi Nick -

I don't have access to the PFE book, but I managed to dig up a sheet from a company called Sunshine Kits, who put out some PFE reefers a while back.

Looks like there are several variations in terms of lettering/colors, but yes you are right, they started out as Daylight orange with Boxcar Red ends and roof, and black trucks/underbody and some body trim. The body trim was the first thing to change, becoming all orange. Then the tops and ends became black. Then the era of mechanical reefers started, and the silver roofs began, but that's past the era I was interested in.

I painted one up and it looks good to me, so I'm going to do a whole bunch now.

Thanks again, helpful to confirm.

GENE

[thespcaboose]

I can confirm that the PFE's are orange. I'm a former employee.

[stratcatgenius]

Hi thespcaboose - thanks, Daylight Orange is looking good so far. These are getting some weathering anyways, so I'm not too worried about the color shades being inconsistent from car to car.
GENE