New HOe Wagon Arrived

Ice cooled reefers on Soviet narrow gauge? Yes, particularly the narrow gauge lines located in the agricultural regions of the Soviet Union were equipped with isolated refrigerator wagons. The 1/87 scale model of a Soviet narrow gauge reefer is part of a larger order that will arrive piecemal with irregular intervals from Ukraine. I was so satisfied with the quality of the two platform wagons that arrived in September that I had to have more!

Fresh out of its box. Another item for the Soviet narrow gauge collection.

The model is handbuilt in Ukraine by 'Miniland', the organisation that operate Ukraine's largest 1/87 scale model railway in Kyiv. The reefer is supplied in a tailor made wooden box with a laser cut outline of the reefer on the top of the lid and foam lining cut to fit tightly around the model. 

The prototype 'isothermic' wagon was built by the East German manufacturer 'VEB Waggonbau Bautzen' in 1954. As the term 'isotermic' reveal the wagons weren't exclusively for keeping their contents cool but rather at a constant temperature. In fact, the wagons were equipped with a heating stove and could consequently also keep the freight from freezing. Bautzen called them 'Kühlwagen' and in Ukraine they were known as 'Льодовик' literally 'glacier', so I guess the main role of the wagon would be to keep meat, fruit and vegetable cool in the warmer months of the year. The wagon was insulated with a layer of 20 cm thick insulation material and could carry 2 tons of ice in compartements to keep the freight cold.

As everything on the Soviet narrow gauge railways the reefer wagons were quite large with a carrying capacity of 15 t. Via thermometers the temperature could be monitored from the outside. Ladders on the ends gave access to roof boards that were used when filling the ice compartments.

Works photograph from Bautzen showing a light coloured 'Kühlwagen' - cooling wagon. The wagons were seen in light grey (perhaps white?), green and brown colours. 

A preserved reefer in the railway museum in Anykščiai at the 'Aukštaitijos' 750 mm narrow gauge railway from Panevėžys to Rubikiai in Lithuania. The thickness of the doors are evident. The wagon has lost many fittings, including the end ladders.

The wagon is priced at 116 € and that is only a little more than a pretty standard H0 Danish passenger car  - and the reefer comes with a nice storage box rather than a flimsy one made from cardboard. Being very good quallity, a rare prototype and handbuilt by a craftsman/woman, I don't consider the price high.

Brake cylinder, back up air tank and piping. Hard to believe this is 1/87 scale and hand made. 

Good, clean decal application. Paint has been applied without faults. Nice work.

Roof running boards around one of the openings for filling the internal ice boxes. Notice the drain leading water over the wagon's end.

Delivery was swift and from ordering to delivery a mere 6 days passed. Quite hard to understand how that is doable from a country being the victim of a Russian invasion and suffering devastating air attacks on its cities almost every night. All the more reason to appreciate the careful work laid in the detailed model!