The Illinois Central fleet of reefers is a unique part of American railroading because of its near total control of the banana shipments within the U.S. and Canada.

Shippers, builders and railroads jointly created the design of an all steel reefer in the mid-Thirties, the Illinois Central's 50000 series cars from 1937 and 1940-41. They were emblazoned in yellow-orange sides, black ends and underframe, silver-gray roof and IC green lettering, herald and side sill striping. Built by General American, the cars used ice hatches constructed of tread material and an arched eave over the door. They bore the IC diamond herald in two versions--original and 1950 era.

Three hundred cars arrived in 1937 and an additional 200 beginning in late 1940. The two orders differed in use of square corner ends on the first block and "W" section ends on the later cars. The first 200 rode on ARA cast steel side frame trucks and the final 300 on National Type B-1 trucks.

The cars were largely associated with the massive banana trade from the port of New Orleans, but it was not until the '50s that they bore a legend to return the cars to the Illinois Central for banana loading. The IC dominated the banana movements in the center two- thirds of the U.S. and Canada. Its facilities in New Orleans garnered the overwhelming portion of the banana shipments from Central America. With its direct line to Chicago, another to Louisville KY and a line west to Omaha, the road was positioned to serve the vast center of the continent from the Appalachians to the Rockies. Photo evidence shows the reefers served the West Coast, as well. The IC connections to the Canadian owned roads in Chicago gave it access to the north.

Beginning in 1950, Preco fans were installed. This occasioned the application of the new IC herald design with the road name extending beyond the diamond.

The Sunshine kits are vacuum cast in gray urethane. Kits include all detailing parts (except trucks and couplers) and proprietary decals. A Prototype Data Sheet and complete instructions are included. 

Shipped with USPS Ground to sve you money. I always combine shipping for multiple wins.