URTC 1923 wood reefers leased to Miller Brewing Co

The Union Refrigerator Transit Company, originally formed in 1890 by the Schlitz brewing interests, became the Union Refrigerator Transit Lines of Milwaulkee

(URTC) in 1903, starting with a eet of 1,700 cars. In 1929 it was acquired by General American Tank Car Company, with the eet now totaling 5,000 40’ wood

cars, mostly built by American Car & Foundry. The new company continued to operate as a separate subsidairy of GATC, (now General American Transportation

Corporation) adding 1,500 additional cars built by GATC for a total of 6,500 cars. The shipment of beer accounted for a substantial part of its business, with many

of its cars leased to independent shippers such as Miller Brewing, Goetz, Blatz, Pabst and many others. Also included were dairy shippers such as Bordens, Kraft

and Carnation. URTC also provided refrigerated car services to a number of railroads: the Milwaulkee Road, SOO Line, Minneapolis & St. Louis, Nickel Plate and

Chicago Great Western. In July 1934, the use of billboard signage on refrigerator cars was outlawed by the ICC for a multitude of reasons, mostly as a result of

complaints and resentment between the shippers themselves, and the colorful cars were seen no more.
 

Paint & Lettering: Car sides and side ladders painted reefer orange/yellow (50/50 mix); mineral red roof, end ladders and ends. Underframe, end beams, corner

straps, door hinges, lock bar and kickplate coated with black car cement. Reporting marks black; billboard lettering varied. Here seen in red on URTC 93194

and black on 93185. Specify either red or black when ordering.
 

Decal set designed and created at Protocraft Decals
 

Printed by Microscale Industries