The Fan District in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

REA Express 183

Refrigeration/Mail Car

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, April 7, 2023

1. REA Express 183 Marker

Inscription. In the 1940s, the American Railway Express Agency (REA) focused its business on express refrigeration - moving meats, fruits, and vegetables cross-country. By the late 1950s, the REA was one of the largest firms of its kind in the world.

By the early 1960s, the REA began losing ground as refrigerated trucks became a more cost-effective means of transport for short and moderate distances. The company then refocused and began shipping refrigeration equipment from the cars and leased them as bulk mail carriers.

Specifications: Length: 80 ft., Width: 9ft. Weight: 85,000 lbs., Dates of service: c. 1940-1960

Erected by Science Museum of Virginia.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars.

Location. 37° 33.702′ N, 77° 27.941′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in The Fan District. Marker can be reached from the intersection of West Broad Street and Terminal Place. The marker is on the grounds of the Science Museum of Virginia. Admission required. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2500 West Broad Street, Richmond VA 23220, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. RF&P Kitchen Car 20 (a few steps from this marker); Car ONE (within shouting distance of

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this marker); C&O Kanawha Class Locomotive 2732 (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Broad Street Station (about 500 feet away); Aluminaut (about 500 feet away); Jefferson Davis (approx. ¼ mile away); The Boulevard Historic District (approx. 0.3 miles away); Memorial Bell Tower (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Also see . . . Science Museum of Virginia. (Submitted on April 15, 2023, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, April 7, 2023

2. REA Express 183 & Marker

REA Express 183 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, April 7, 2023

3. REA Express 183

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2023, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 67 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 15, 2023, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.