163
40-Foot Refrigerator Car

At Chama. May 27, 2005. Photo: Curt Bianchi. Click image for larger size.

Number:	163
Type:	Refrigerator Car
Class:	40-Foot
Category:	Freight
Year Built:	1924-26
Manufacturer:	American Car and Foundry
How Acquired:	Purchased from D&RGW, 1970.
Description:	Restoration completed in 2001.

Number 163 was one of eight reefers built by the D&RGW in 1926 at a cost of $2500.38. It was built to a length of 40 feet to make it large enough to hold a minimum standard gauge car load for ease of transfer. The car weighs 34,000 pounds light and has a capacity of 50,000 pounds. It remained in service to the end of the narrow gauge and was acquired by the C&TS when the states purchased the railroad from the Rio Grande.

1975

The car was scraped and sanded. Two coats of linseed oil and thinner were applied to all exposed wood surfaces. All metal received a coat of metal primer. The car was then primed with two coats of white sealer/primer, and then painted with two coats of “Cat” yellow and a special mixture of freight car red for the ends and roof. Lettered with the Royal Gorge round logo. [TT 4-2, 4-3]

1999

The ice hatches, end platforms, side fascia and roof walk were removed. The end crown fascia was repaired. The freight doors were rebuilt and replaced. Some siding was replaced. The siding was sanded and painted. New side fascia was installed. Canvas door seals were treated and installed. The end platforms and roof walk were replaced. [Metzler, Dispatch 12-3]

2000

Volunteers built and installed new doors, new siding, three roof platforms, and built four 28" x 28" ice hatch doors. The car has 1 x 3-inch siding, but 1 x 6-inch material was used when the 1 x 3-inch supply ran short. The 1 x 6 wood was routed down the middle to retain the look of the smaller boards [Dispatch 13-4] The brake system was rebuilt. [Metzler]

FOCTS volunteers completed rebuilding the brakes. [Metzler]

2001

Volunteers finished the restoration of this car, by completing the ice hatch platforms and siding. It was subsequently primed, painted and lettered. [Dispatch 14-3, Metzler]