Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 102, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 August 1905 — NEW REFRIGERATOR CAR BERVICE. [ARTICLE]

NEW REFRIGERATOR CAR BERVICE.

Bock Island Operates Cold Storage Cars on established Schedules. Topeka.—The Rock Island has added 1,500 new refrigerator cars to those already In service, and has established a regular schedule of runs, giving excellent service from the most remote portions of its lines to all markets. The most essential point which is of interest to the small shippers of perishable freight at way stations along the road, is contained in the two rules promulgated by this company which follow: “Freight charges on perishable freight shipped in scheduled refrigerator cars will be the same as in ordinary cars.” “All refrigerator cars are well iced before starting and are re-iced in transit when necessary.” The latter rule indicates that the small shipper may send his perishable produce to market in a refrigerator car at the regular rates which apply in an ordinary car and no charges are made to him for “icing” the car. The railroad provides this service free of cost to the shipper. The company also undertakes to furnish a special refrigerator car without extra charge for consignments of 10,000 pounds or over where no scheduled car is run. Shippers may secure refrigerator cars from the company for carload shipments free; the shipment will bo consigned at regular carload rates the same as if the consignment was sent in an ordinary car. When shippers use a car for carload shipments the rate is lower than that charged for less than carload lots. Consequently icing charges are assessed the shipper when he uses a whole car. However, only the actual cost of ice and the work of placing it in the car is charged. The shipper has the privilege of icing the car himself, in which case the railroad makes no icing charge.