Western Fruit Express ice refrigerator car WHIX 70325 was built by Pacific Car and Foundry in Renton, Washington, in 1953. The forty-three-foot car had riveted steel tank exterior construction and a plywood interior. Refrigerator cars had a tremendous impact on Washington, bringing fresh California fruits and vegetables into the state in winter and summer and, in the fall, carrying Washington apples, peaches, and other fruit to eastern markets. Refrigeration came from large blocks of ice loaded into bunkers at each end of the car. The ice was harvested from local lakes and rivers during winter and stored in insulated ice houses. Axle-powered electric or chemical circulation fans moved the chilled air, while alcohol or brine could be sprayed for cooler temperatures. In extremely cold weather, portable alcohol or charcoal heaters kept perishable goods from freezing. The Great Northern Railway operated Western Fruit Express, which hauled produce important to Washington in this car, especially apples. The car was later purchased by Alaska Lumber and Pulp to transport food by rail barge from Seattle to the company mill in Sitka, Alaska, where it was renamed ALP 2500. Alaska Lumber and Pulp later donated the car to the Northwest Railway Museum. This car was manufactured at the once vast Pacific Car and Foundry rail car manufacturing plant in Renton. That plant was decommissioned in the early nineteen eighties as changing economics led PACCAR to focus on its truck business. Diesel-powered refrigerator cars later replaced ice reefers and continue to haul fresh fruit and vegetables, especially Washington apples.