ScaleTrains BNSF 82' Reefer Review

I took a moment to review the new ScaleTrains Trinity 82' BNSF Reefer. This is a model I've been hoping to see for many years. I even kitbashed my own and had plans to do more. But when ScaleTrains released their model I picked up a few to compare to the prototype. It's a very well done model and will provide an excellent base for weathering.

[@MrHunt916]

These cars are beautiful. I’m glad I got some myself. Excellent video sir

[@jmcin100]

Excellent review, great to compare to the various versions available. Good to see you posting, I have enjoyed your work for quite sometime. I sincerely hope you will post more of models in the future.

[@freewake84]

Thanks, and yes I intend to post as I have time. With how busy life is right now it's hard to get time to model and make a video of it. I'll see what I can do.

[@MrHunt916]

Now we need the new UP Gunderson reefers and the Lineage and CryoTrans

[@freewake84]

Indeed we do. As long as there isn't a trademark/copyright problem then eventually we'll see them.

[@scottwalters6031]

The old adage if of if you build it it will be produced sure applied here. Give those cryo cars you made more publicity so the rest of of us modelers can benefit.. Great review and very informative.

[@freewake84]

Thanks! I'm happy with how the Cryo Trans cars came out. The Walthers car is a good starting point. But the Greenbrier cars will have to be a scratchbuild. I'll see if I can pull one off....then maybe a manufacturer will produce it for real.

[@herbertw.jr.carrier6122]

I can't wait to see you weather this bad boy! I really hope that you decide to take the plunge...

[@freewake84]

Weathering will hopefully commence shortly. Currently working on building a layout so that will take some of my free time. Going to try a few different techniques on these to see if I can speed up the process of weathering. Might be cheating though...

[@herbertw.jr.carrier6122]

Whatever steps you take, they'll be more than the average person would do. I really appreciate your approach to weathering your BNSF Dash 9. It's definitely a game changer!

[@freewake84]

@@herbertw.jr.carrier6122 Thanks for the feedback and I'm glad you liked the dash 9 video. I'm looking forward to getting these reefers under the brush!

[@VSLAModelRR]

Very thorough review. I love how you compared the model to the prototype and had photos. You really don't see that very often. I picked up a couple myself and they are very nice, but it also nice to see how accurate they are.

[@freewake84]

I had been doing a bunch of research in order to build my own, and so had a bunch of pictures. I think it helps to compare the model directly to the prototype. Glad it was helpful for you. I successfully kitbashed one car (required two of the 64' Trinity reefers from BLMA/Exactrail/Atlas) but that was a ton of work. I wasn't looking forward to doing more. So happy that ST did these!

[@chevelle396guy]

Ive been saying for years we need these BNSF Trinity icicle Reefers and the Cryo-Trans reefers.

[@freewake84]

You and me both. I've been wanting them since 2014. In the meantime I had to roll my own.

[@RonStanek]

Probably going to need the long shank couplers, to make it go around curves. Without the cars falling off the track.

[@freewake84]

I already added long shank Sergent-style couplers to mine. Also tested around 30" radius curves and through #6 switch ladders in the yard, pushing and pulling. Not a single derailment yet. I do believe the long shanks help with minimizing lateral forces around curves. And they look much better too. Highly recommend that people swap the couplers out, even for long shank Kadees.

[@wolfgang548]

Great review. However, someone else made a video indicating a problem with these cars. Do yours have the same issue?

[@freewake84]

What issue are you referencing? The lack of free-rolling wheels? If so, then yes that is definitely noticeable on the two that I've pulled out so far. This video was more geared towards details and not the running characteristics (coupler height, etc). These cars do not roll freely compared to others. However I'm not concerned and it will not affect me at all. These cars will be found in locals on my layout, no more than 12 car train length. Not going to be a problem for me. To make them roll better would probably involve some work to the axle surface on the trucks. Could also be too tight on the bearing cap. I haven't dug into it yet.

[@brokenk5hl131]

Very cool review! I was surprised ScaleTrains came out with the BNSF ES44DC’s and the cryogenic reefers. Now while I’m building my lineage insulated boxcar, we’ll just have to see if someone comes out with a cryo trans/lineage greenbrier reefer.

[@freewake84]

I'm not holding my breath on the CryoTrans reefers. I would love to see them but given how long it took to see the BNSF Trinity reefers to come around, I don't expect to see anything else for some time. But if they do I'll for sure buy a bunch.

[@rodcurry6387]

Very good kitbash work! Have you experienced any derailment issues with the Scale Trains reefer cars? I ran across a video here on KZbin of a person giving a review who mentioned he's experiencing derailment problems using 24" radius curves and the trucks don't roll freely as with other model train freight cars. Scale Trains is aware of this issue. I'm not sure if they have a fix resolution for the problem...

[@freewake84]

My layout is currently being built right now, so I can't test these under all circumstances. My minimum radius is 30" and I have not had a problem running these cars through those curves and through yard ladders, etc. #6 switches are fine. I haven't had a single derailment with them yet. The trucks on two of mine are not free rolling but that does not bother me. I haven't looked into ways to free them up yet, but I imagine it wouldn't be hard to do if I wanted. Either way I'm very happy with the cars and I haven't experienced any issues that would keep me from buying more.

[@waynemiller7382]

Your own bashed cars look very nice ! I think the issue with a manufacturter doing the Cryo-Trans cars is this; of course we all know the first run (if made/released) would sell out instantly on pre-order; I'd bet moeny on that no problem! But, how many future runs will they be able to produce? 3-4, 5? Would the investment in the tooling be profuitable in the long run? I don't know, and I don't know the prototypes that well so I cannot comment on 2nd, 3rd hand owners of the cars that might lend themselves to paint variations for future releases (if a model manufacturer dared to make the Cryo cars). I'd love to see them made and I would definately buy a few.

[@freewake84]

I attended a discussion by Blaine Hadfield back when we was working for Exactrail. He said their best selling car by far was the TrinityRail 64' reefer (nothing else was in the ballpark). That car only had two reporting marks at the time (many different numbers) but still sold like crazy. And that was also at the same time that BLMA was producing the same/very similar car. Both companies sold a ton of them. The CRYX cars (especially the 82' Greenbrier cars) are much more ubiquitous than the BNSF 82' Trinity reefers. They are found on all roads and all over the country. BNSF reefers tend to be mostly on BNSF and subsidiaries. The only thing I can think of that might be keeping someone from making these cars is a licensing problem with the Cryo-Trans company.

[@waynemiller7382]

Great so you just need to convince a manufacturer. Blaine could take it on but he's into his hoppers, and as you say licensing may be the issue: we don't know. Just because Walthers were able to use the name years ago doesn't mean that still applies. A similar example is I read years ago that ABF freight withdrew permissions for a decal manufacturer to use the name but obviously that changed and there are ABF decals available now.