{"product_id":"933-3049","title":"Walthers Cornerstone HO Scale Icehouse and Platform Kit - 933-3049","description":"\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWalthers Cornerstone HO Scale Icehouse and Platform Kit 933-3049\u003c\/strong\u003e recreates an essential railroad servicing facility from the era of ice-cooled refrigerator cars. Before mechanical refrigeration became standard, railroads relied on icehouses and elevated icing platforms to keep meat, produce, dairy products, and other perishable freight cold during long-distance transportation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis detailed HO scale plastic structure kit includes an icehouse inspired by a prototype in Antigo, Wisconsin, and a modular icing platform based on a Pacific Fruit Express design. With its optional platform roof, roof vents, and 24 individual ice blocks, the kit provides the components needed to create a convincing refrigerator-car servicing scene.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe completed facility measures approximately \u003cstrong\u003e18-1\/2 x 6-1\/4 inches (46.9 x 15.8 cm)\u003c\/strong\u003e, while the icehouse itself measures \u003cstrong\u003e4-3\/4 x 10-3\/4 x 5 inches (12 x 27.3 x 12.7 cm)\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is an excellent addition to steam-era and transitional-era layouts, particularly those featuring agricultural freight, meatpacking operations, produce shipments, and busy railroad yards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eIcehouse and Platform Kit Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDetailed icehouse:\u003c\/strong\u003e Inspired by a railroad ice storage facility in Antigo, Wisconsin.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModular icing platform:\u003c\/strong\u003e Based on a Pacific Fruit Express design used to service refrigerator cars.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eElevated working platform:\u003c\/strong\u003e Allows model railroad workers to be positioned beside refrigerator-car roof hatches.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOptional platform roof:\u003c\/strong\u003e Represents covered facilities used to shade ice and reduce melting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e24 model ice blocks:\u003c\/strong\u003e Included for realistic loading and servicing scenes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoof vents and ladders:\u003c\/strong\u003e Add authentic architectural and industrial details.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExpandable arrangement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Modular construction supports customized icing facilities.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStyrene plastic parts:\u003c\/strong\u003e Molded in appropriate colors and suitable for painting and weathering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical applications:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ideal for railroads operating ice-cooled refrigerator cars from the early twentieth century through the 1970s.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverall completed footprint:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18-1\/2 x 6-1\/4 inches (46.9 x 15.8 cm).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIcehouse dimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4-3\/4 x 10-3\/4 x 5 inches (12 x 27.3 x 12.7 cm).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScale:\u003c\/strong\u003e HO Scale, 1:87.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturer item number:\u003c\/strong\u003e 933-3049.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eRecreate Historic Refrigerator-Car Servicing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIce-cooled refrigerator cars, commonly called reefers, played a major role in transporting perishable freight from the 1880s through the 1970s. During long journeys, railroad crews replenished ice through hatches on the roofs of refrigerator cars to maintain the temperatures needed to protect their cargo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLarge icing facilities were often located at major freight yards and important points along railroad routes. Trains could be stopped beside an elevated platform, allowing crews to service several cars before they continued toward their destinations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Walthers Cornerstone Icehouse and Platform captures this activity with an elevated platform and detailed storage building. The included ice blocks can be arranged near the icehouse doors, along the platform, or beside waiting refrigerator cars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExplore \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/trainsupply.com\/collections\/walthers-cornerstone-railroad-structures\"\u003eWalthers Cornerstone railroad structures\u003c\/a\u003e for additional facilities that complement a historic freight terminal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBuild a Realistic Railroad Icing Facility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe modular platform provides flexibility when planning an HO scale railroad yard. Position the structure beside a dedicated refrigerator-car servicing track or incorporate it into a larger freight terminal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe optional platform roof allows modelers to represent facilities where shade helped slow ice melting in warmer climates. Leaving the platform uncovered creates another historically appropriate arrangement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe separate icehouse adds visual interest with its roof vents, loading doors, and traditional industrial appearance. Additional railroad workers, service vehicles, and freight cars can be positioned around the facility to suggest active operations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor a larger railroad scene, the icing platform can become part of a busy classification yard with nearby freight houses, warehouses, and locomotive servicing facilities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/trainsupply.com\/collections\/walthers-cornerstone-engine-maintenance-facilities\"\u003eWalthers Cornerstone engine and maintenance facilities\u003c\/a\u003e for structures that complement a substantial railroad servicing complex.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eConnect the Icehouse with Agricultural and Food Industries\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRefrigerator cars were essential to the movement of fresh produce, meat, dairy products, and other temperature-sensitive merchandise. An icing facility therefore provides a natural connection between agricultural industries and railroad freight operations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor a steam-era layout, refrigerator cars can travel from packing plants and produce terminals to the icing platform before continuing toward distant markets. For a transitional-era railroad, both wooden and steel refrigerator cars can be positioned beside the platform.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe facility works particularly well with layouts featuring meatpacking plants, produce warehouses, agricultural loading areas, and cold-storage industries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExplore \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/trainsupply.com\/collections\/walthers-cornerstone-grain-agriculture\"\u003eWalthers Cornerstone grain and agriculture structures\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/trainsupply.com\/collections\/walthers-cornerstone-factories-warehouses\"\u003efactories and warehouses\u003c\/a\u003e for related industries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePaint, Weather, and Detail the Icehouse\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePainting and weathering can help establish the facility's age and operating environment. Finish the icehouse in colors appropriate to a railroad-owned service building, and add subtle wear to the loading doors, platform surfaces, and roof.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe included ice blocks can be painted in pale translucent-looking tones to suggest freshly cut ice. Separately purchased railroad figures, tools, and refrigerator cars can bring the scene to life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor finishing supplies, browse \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/fusionscalehobbies.com\/collections\/paint\"\u003emodel railroad paint\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/fusionscalehobbies.com\/collections\/bob-smith-industries-adhesives\"\u003emodel building adhesives\u003c\/a\u003e. Use products compatible with styrene plastic and follow the manufacturer's assembly instructions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eImportant:\u003c\/strong\u003e This product is an unassembled HO scale plastic structure kit. It includes the icehouse, modular icing platform, optional platform roof, roof vents, and 24 model ice blocks. Railroad track, refrigerator cars, locomotives, figures, vehicles, paints, adhesives, and additional scenery are sold separately. The facility is a static model and does not mechanically load ice into railroad cars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eWalthers Cornerstone HO Scale Icehouse and Platform Kit 933-3049\u003c\/strong\u003e provides a distinctive railroad industry for modelers recreating historic refrigerator-car operations. Its detailed icehouse, elevated platform, optional roof, and included ice blocks make it a valuable addition to steam-era freight yards, transitional-era railroads, and agricultural shipping scenes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Walthers Cornerstone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":60657408770334,"sku":"933-3049","price":35.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0904\/6789\/3534\/files\/933-3049_01_8461cbe4-ff94-483c-920a-0d42dc868d81.jpg?v=1793152747","url":"https:\/\/trainsupply.com\/products\/933-3049","provider":"Train Supply","version":"1.0","type":"link"}