Pacific Fruit Express
Pacific Fruit Express (reporting mark PFE) was a railroad refrigerator car leasing company that at one point was the largest refrigerator car operator in the world. The company was founded on December 7, 1906 as a joint venture between the Union Pacific and Southern Pacific railroads. It began operation on October 1, 1907, with a fleet of 6,600 refrigerator cars built by the American Car and Foundry Company (ACF).
PFE's assets were divided between the UP and SP when the company was split on April 1, 1978.
- Pacific Fruit Express Roster, 1907–1970:
| 1907 | 1910 | 1920 | 1930 | 1940 | 1950 | 1960 | 1970 |
| 6,600 | 8,100 | 16,000 | 40,509 | 36,899 | 38,840 | 28,818 | 17,648 |
Source: The Great Yellow Fleet, p. 17.
-
A magazine ad for the Union Pacific Railroad and Pacific Fruit Express.
-
Crate label for Hewes' Transcontinental Brand of El Modena, California circa 1930.
Paint and markings
Modern cars owned by PFE typically carried both UP and SP heralds and either "Union Pacific Fruit Express" or "Southern Pacific Fruit Express". The AAR reporting marks were UPFE for cars operated by Union Pacific or SPFE for cars operated by Southern Pacific.
References
- Sacramento History Online (2004), Timeline - Transportation, Agriculture. Retrieved May 18, 2005 — company startup details.
- Thompson, Anthony W. et al. (1992). Pacific Fruit Express. Signature Press, Wilton, CA. ISBN 1-930013-03-5.
- White, John W. (1986). The Great Yellow Fleet. Golden West Books, San Marino, CA. ISBN 0-87095-091-6.
See also
External links
- Pacific Fruit Express Company #11207 — photo and short history of one of the last ice-type refrigerator cars built.
- Pacific Fruit Express Company #300010 — photo and short history of one of the first mechanical-type refrigerator cars built.
- Pacific Fruit Express photo gallery at the Union Pacific Railroad official website.
