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Micro-Trains - NSE MTL 15-03 - Reefer, 50 Foot, Mechanical - Napa Valley Wine Train - 62815

Collectors value this item at an average of 20.0020.00Collectors value this item at an average of 20.00
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N Scale - Micro-Trains - NSE MTL 15-03 - Reefer, 50 Foot, Mechanical - Napa Valley Wine Train - 62815 Image Courtesy of David Grothe
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Production TypeSpecial Run
Stock NumberNSE MTL 15-03
BrandMicro-Trains
ManufacturerMicro-Trains Line
Body StyleMicro-Trains 052 Reefer Steel 52 Foot Express
Prototype VehicleReefer, 50 Foot, Mechanical (Details)
Road or Company NameNapa Valley Wine Train (Details)
Reporting MarksNSE
Road or Reporting Number62815
Paint Color(s)Yellow and Burgundy
Print Color(s)Burgundy and Black
Coupler TypeMT Magne-Matic Knuckle
Wheel TypeInjection Molded Plastic
Series NameConvention Car
Series Release/Issue Number23
Release Date2015-06-01
Item CategoryRolling Stock (Freight)
Model TypeReefer
Model Subtype52 Foot
Model VarietySteel, Express
Prototype RegionNorth America
Prototype EraNA Era IV: 2nd Gen Diesel (1958 - 1978)
Scale1/160



Specific Item Information: NSE 23rd Annual Banquet car.
Prototype History:
The purpose of a mechanical reefer is to keep perishable items cold. Early reefers were of all wood construction and used ice for cooling. By the 1940s, new reefers were being built entirely of steel. Insulating techniques improved to the point where economical refrigeration could be accomplished using steel side plates in place of wood sheathing. Fifty foot mechanical reefers date back to at least the late 50s / early 60s.

The mechanical reefers could keep a more regular temperature, and often times colder than what the ice bunker cars were capable of. Initially mechanical reefers were used primarily in frozen food service. This would soon change as mechanical refrigeration began to replace ice-based systems. Soon after, mechanical refrigeration units replaced the “armies” of personnel required to re-ice the cars.
Road Name History:
The Napa Valley Wine Train located in northern California is operated by the Napa Valley Railroad which is a privately owned excursion train that runs 36-miles round trip between Napa and St. Helena. The wine train has been in operation since 1989 and now has 4 engines and 10 heavyweight passenger cars. The majority of the cars used by the train were originally built in 1915 by Pullman Standard for Northern Pacific Railway. The train has a capacity of 370 passengers and has carried over two million passengers since 1989!

Read more on Wikipedia.

Brand/Importer Information: Micro-Trains is the brand name used by both Kadee Quality Products and Micro-Trains Line. For a history of the relationship between the brand and the two companies, please consult our Micro-Trains Collector's Guide.
Manufacturer Information:
Micro-Trains Line split off from Kadee Quality Products in 1990. Kadee Quality Products originally got involved in N-Scale by producing a scaled-down version of their successful HO Magne-Matic knuckle coupler system. This coupler was superior to the ubiquitous 'Rapido' style coupler due to two primary factors: superior realistic appearance and the ability to automatically uncouple when stopped over a magnet embedded in a section of track. The success of these couplers in N-Scale quickly translated to the production of trucks, wheels and in 1972 a release of ready-to-run box cars.

Micro-Trains Line Co. split off from Kadee in 1990 to form a completely independent company. For this reason, products from this company can appear with labels from both enterprises. Due to the nature of production idiosyncrasies and various random factors, the rolling stock from Micro-Trains can have all sorts of interesting variations in both their packaging as well as the products themselves. When acquiring an MTL product it is very important to understand these important production variations that can greatly enhance (or decrease) the value of your purchase.

Please consult our Micro-Trains Collector's Guide
Item created by: gdm on 2017-08-10 11:43:51. Last edited by grothe77 on 2020-05-30 10:30:26

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