Both PFE and SFRD reefers

Eire did quite well in capturing the California Fruit trade with its ability to reach the New York and New England markets.

"was not transloaded from one reefer to another "

I recall reading that the trip from Ca to NYC took 10 days. Car loads  went all the way .Erie hauled  both ATSF and PFE reefers to the east coast. Route was something like  Corwith,Hammond,Huntington,Marion,Meadville,Cuba JCT., Susquehanna,New Jersey, and Erie pier at NYC.  If you google Pacific Fruit express, Erie interchange you might find the book I read this in, it was a study of shipping oranges from Ca to NYC and was written around 1930 IIRC. It was one of those "free reader" things. Had interesting stuff about icing and the car temperatures along the way......DaveBranum

Very helpful- thanks!

Thank you Tom and Dave for sharing your knowledge on this.  Dave- I will definitely find that book you mentioned.  Interesting that the fruit took a 10 day train ride!  I would have figured that the Chicago to Jersey City segment on the Erie would have been completed in less than 24 hours, as I had read that Erie gave those trains high priority as a way to capture the fruit shipping business.  I read somewhere that Erie arranged things so that their trip was fast enough to avoid having to stop to ice along the way.

Having the Santa Fe red reefers along with the PFE yellow reefers will add nice color to the train!

Understanding the prototype

A part of determining what ran on the Erie falls into what didn't run on the Erie. Understanding the prototype companies and associated ownership is an important component of the refrigerated freight car traffic.

Merchants Despatch was owned by the New York Central, so it would be a good estimation that very few MDT cars would be seen on Erie rails.

Fruit Growers Express was owned by a consortium of railroads (not the Erie) and also strongly affiliated with the Burlington Refrigerator Express and Western Fruit Express operations. Bill Welch has been researching the FGE companies for a book but you can find some of his historical information in a PDF jointly published a few years ago through the PRR, B&O and ACL/SAL historical organizations. A copy can be downloaded at the Seaboard-Coast Line Modeler mag site. The link is on the left near the bottom of the menu blocks. It's a large file and best to download to your computer before viewing, similar to MRH.

PFE and SFRD have been mentioned, and I suspect these were the predominant reefers travelling upon Erie rails. Each of those companies used several different reefer designs that were developed over the years. I recommend consulting prototype images taken during the era of your interest in order to gain a better understanding of the traffic mix.

Nothing is an impossibility, but in developing your freight car fleet it is best to go with the most probable scenarios.

Eric

Looked at proto photos

Eric- As you suggested I got out my magnifying glass and looked hard at photos in various Erie books that I own.  Most of the reefer train shots are such that it impossible to make out the markings.  However, I did confirm from a few photos that PFE reefers with the SP and UP heralds were present.  I also found a Western Fruit Express with a Great Northern herald on it.  I was a bit surprised about that one, but it was there.  So far, I have not identified any Santa Fe, but I will search for more proto photos on the web.

I am still trying to find out how the Union Refrigerator cars with Erie logos were used.

I also found that Erie delivered east bound perishables to New England railroads at the Maybrook, NY interchange.  Lots more investigating to do!

Thanks for your help and interest.