Railway Express Agency (REA)

Railway Express Agency wasn't a railroad in the traditional sense—it was the company responsible for moving time-sensitive shipments over America's passenger rail network. For model railroaders, REA equipment tells the story of express traffic that traveled alongside passengers, carrying everything from parcels and flowers to newspapers and live animals.

Adding an REA baggage or express car instantly gives a passenger train a more authentic, working appearance instead of simply running coaches from station to station.

Collectors often search for REA baggage cars, express boxcars, express refrigerator cars, heavyweight baggage cars, and Railway Express Agency service equipment. These cars fit naturally behind steam locomotives, early diesel passenger trains, and mail trains from the first half of the twentieth century.

REA equipment pairs especially well with passenger terminals, Railway Post Office cars, station scenes, and classic named trains.

Railway Express Agency models have been produced by Lionel, Atlas, Walthers, Rapido, Broadway Limited, Bachmann, Micro-Trains, and Athearn. Available releases include baggage cars, express reefers, express boxcars, heavyweight passenger equipment, and other rolling stock.

If you're looking for Railway Express Agency models for sale, our inventory may include new arrivals, pre-owned pieces, vintage releases, retired models, and other collectible REA equipment.

Whether you've collected a handful of express cars or an entire passenger-era fleet, Trainz purchases qualifying collections that include Railway Express Agency equipment and other railroad memorabilia.

See how we purchase model train collections.

Was Railway Express Agency a railroad?

No. Railway Express Agency was an express shipping company that operated over the railroads rather than owning and operating a nationwide railroad itself. Its cars could be found on passenger trains throughout the United States.

What are the most collectible REA models?

Collectors commonly look for REA baggage cars, express boxcars, express refrigerator cars, heavyweight baggage cars, and Railway Express Agency express service equipment.

Who makes Railway Express Agency model trains?

Manufacturers including Lionel, Atlas, Walthers, Rapido, Broadway Limited, Bachmann, Micro-Trains, and Athearn have produced Railway Express Agency models in multiple scales.

Why are REA cars so popular?

REA cars add realism to passenger trains by representing the express shipments that traveled with passengers during the steam and early diesel eras, making them a favorite addition to classic passenger consists.