Perishable freight such as fruit, meat, and milk moved on time-sensitive "high class" trains in Pennsylvania Railroad service, with "tomato specials" running through to Heinz and potatoes carried over to Chamley to make whiskey, because time was money and punctuality was essential. An express refrigerator car like No. 2561 usually rode in passenger trains and, loaded with enormous blocks of ice, carried perishables such as milk to delivery points on local routes. Built in 1929, this Class R50B express refrigerator car was one of 550 such cars designed and operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad. By 1961, highway and air competition and the general decline of railroad passenger service had reduced the number of such cars to 114. Car No. 2561 is believed to be the sole remaining intact example of its type.