Western Fruit Express


Western Fruit Express was a railroad refrigerator car leasing company formed by the Fruit [Growers Express] and the Great [Northern Railway (U.S.)|Great Northern Railway] on July 18, 1923 in order to compete with the Pacific Fruit Express and Santa [Fe Refrigerator Despatch] in the Western [United States]. The arrangement added 3,000 cars to the FGE's existing equipment pool. It is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the Burlington Northern [Santa Fe Corporation], the Great Northern's successor.
The success of the WFE led to the creation of the Burlington Refrigerator Express in May 1926.
Western Fruit Express Roster, 1930-1970:
1930 1940 1950 1960 1970
7,177 7,036 5,265 5,702 5,893

Source: The Great Yellow Fleet, p. 17.