Encyclopedia Dubuque
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RAILWAY EXPRESS AGENCY: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:railwayexpress.jpg|left|thumb|250px|The Illinois Central | [[Image:railwayexpress.jpg|left|thumb|250px|The Illinois Central Station at Jones and Iowa Streets housed the Railway Express Office. Illustration by Norman Zepeski]]RAILWAY EXPRESS AGENCY. The Railway Express Agency (REA) was a rail express service. At one time, it was the only one in the United States. Originally called, the American Railway Express Agency, it was founded on March 29, 1839. | ||
The Railway Express Agency operated a Chicago, Illinois-based refrigerator car line beginning in the early 1900s. By 1917 there were seven express companies in the United States. They were consolidated into the American Railway Express Agency during the [[WORLD WAR I]]. Its name was changed in 1927 and REA began an Air Express Division the same year. | The Railway Express Agency operated a Chicago, Illinois-based refrigerator car line beginning in the early 1900s. By 1917 there were seven express companies in the United States. They were consolidated into the American Railway Express Agency during the [[WORLD WAR I]]. Its name was changed in 1927 and REA began an Air Express Division the same year. | ||
Revision as of 19:43, 30 May 2010
RAILWAY EXPRESS AGENCY. The Railway Express Agency (REA) was a rail express service. At one time, it was the only one in the United States. Originally called, the American Railway Express Agency, it was founded on March 29, 1839.
The Railway Express Agency operated a Chicago, Illinois-based refrigerator car line beginning in the early 1900s. By 1917 there were seven express companies in the United States. They were consolidated into the American Railway Express Agency during the WORLD WAR I. Its name was changed in 1927 and REA began an Air Express Division the same year.
REA concentrated on express refrigerator service from 1940 on, and continued to expand its fleet of express reefers until the mid- to late-1950s. Business, however, declined dramatically due to the increase in refrigerated motor truck shipments. By 1965 many of REA's reefers with their refrigeration equipment removed were in lease service as bulk mail carriers.
The company filed for bankruptcy in 1975.