Built in 1931, Union Refrigerator Transit Company (URTX) Reefer #26671 carried canned goods, fresh fruit and vegetables, along with other perishable items across the continental United States. Modernized in the 1960’s with plug doors and retired by the late 1970’s, #26671 was saved from potential destruction in 2018 by the Strasburg Railroad and was transported from Lindenwold, New Jersey, to Lancaster County shortly thereafter. The car sat in storage for seven years before its next chapter began. In late 2025, the Choo Choo Barn contacted the Strasburg Railroad about acquiring a railcar for advertising purposes. As a result, the railroad “leased” car #26671 to the Choo Choo Barn. After initial inspection by CCB staff, a cosmetic restoration of this historic car was discussed, and a plan of action was decided. The initial discussion was to only repair necessary areas to save on cost, and to repaint the car in a remix of the original scheme, mixed with the Choo Choo Barn name. History buffs will be happy to know that the car will be lettered for URTX and have appropriate stenciling applied. The primary paint modification will be the addition of the Choo Choo Barn logo to one end of the car, similar to where a “Libby’s Meats” or “ARMOUR” emblem would have been.
With your help, we’d like to go the extra mile and completely cosmetically restore #26671 to its former glory! A donation to this project is a devotion to preserving railway history. While initial funding has allowed work to begin on the car, we’re seeking to raise several thousand dollars by Mid-April 2026 to cover the cost of additional wood, sanding of metal surfaces, power washing of the car, and labor costs to complete this exciting project.
Short-term goals include:
– Patching the most rotted parts of the car
– power washing old scale and paint away
– evaluating the condition of the door & locking mechanisms
– sanding, cleaning, and priming metal components
– finalizing artwork
– Resheathing the entire car sides (if funding allows)
