Burlington Refrigerator Express (BREX) was a railroad refrigerator car leasing company that was formed on May 1, 1926 as a joint venture between the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad (CB&Q) and the Fruit Growers Express Company. The move helped the FGE expand its business into the Pacific Northwest, and added almost 2,700 ice bunker units to the existing car pool already under lease by the Burlington to the FGE and Western Fruit Express (WFE).
Notable Number Series
Series 74200-74399 were built in 1949 and equipped for stage icing and Preco air circulating fans.
Series 74400-74699 first appeared in 1942 with plywood sides. Later production featured tongue-in-groove sides.
Series 76000-76249 were built in 1957.
Painting & Lettering
Burlington Refrigerator Express (BREX) was the minor partner in the FGE/WFE/BRE cooperative operation. Cars painted similarly to FGE, WFE. I don't have the differences yet, but Microscale offers decal sets (under Chicago Burlington & Quincy) for two eras: 1926-1957 and 1957-1970. The differences probably include "VENTILATOR-REFRIGERATOR" vs. "REFRIGERATOR" only. Ben Hom suggests "the definitive reference is Burlington Bulletin #12, an all-BREX issue still available from the Burlington Route Historical Society (http://www.burlingtonroute.com).
InterMountain #47705
InterMountain #47727 - Burlington Northern [Late]