Boston & Maine 2900 Series Box Cars

Index

Builder's Photo
Classification Card(s) for series
Specifications
ORER data
ORER Notes
Discussion, General Notes
ICC Valuation Data
Paint Schemes
References
Photographs
Renumberings/Conversions/Dispositions
Modeling
Revision History of this page

Builder's Photo

Does one exist?

B&M Classification Card(s)

Does one exist?

Specifications From Classification Cards

?

ORER data and numbers

ORER Size Data - 1901-1910
Description 4/1903 9/1910 - 9/1911
Length 34' to 35' 34' to [sic]25'
Width
Height
Capacity (Pounds) 40 to 60000 40 to 60000

No dimensions when in Passenger Car table
ORER Size Data
Description 9/1914 11/1914
M.C.B. / AAR Mechanical Designation XM
Inside
Dimensions Length 36' 36'
Width 8'-6" 8'-6"
Height 8'-0¾ 8'-0¾
Outside
Dimensions Length 37'-6" 37'-6"
Width At Eaves or top of sides or platform 9'-7" 9'-7"
Extreme Width
Height
from
Rail To Eaves 12'-6¾" 12'-6¾"
To top of platform or Running Board 13'-3¾" 13'-3¾"
To Overall 13'-11⅝" 13'-11⅝"
Door - Side
opening Width 6' 6'
Height 7'-7¼" 7'-7¼"
Capacity Cu Ft. Level Full 2448 2448
Pounds 60000 60000

Per the data listed in "Descriptive Inventory of Cars Belonging to the Fitchburg Railroad June 30, 1900"
The following FRR cars were renumbered into this B&M Series starting in 1900 (Renumbering of all FRR cars was complete as of 8-1905)
Approx 9 cars renumbered to this series from Fitchburg RR 2501 Series "Butter and Special' (Box) cars
Approx 30 cars renumbered to this series from Fitchburg RR 2801 Series Express Box cars
As the car count exceeds the FRR car count, I guess that some existing (or new?) B&M were also added

ORER History
ORER Date
(Year-Mo.) Car
Numbers # of
Cars Description
1901 - 02 2900-2999 … Express Freight, 34 and 35 ft., 40000 and 60000 lbs capy.
1901 - 03 (same)
1901 - 04 (same)
1901 - 05 (same)
1901 - 06 (same)
1901 - 07 (same)
1901 - 08 (same)
1901 - 09 (same)
1901 - 10 (same)
1901 - 11 (same)
1901 - 12 (same)
1902 - 01 (same)
1902 - 02 (same)
1902 - 03 (same)
1902 - 04 (same)
1902 - 05 (same)
1902 - 06 (same)
1902 - 07 (same)
1902 - 08 (same)
1902 - 09 (same)
1902 - 10 (same)
1902 - 11 (same)
1902 - 12 (same)
1903 - 01 (same)
1903 - 02 (same)
1903 - 03 (same)
1903 - 05 " 51 Box, Express Freight
1903 - 04 (same)
1903 - 05 (same)
1903 - 06 (same)
1903 - 07 (same)
1903 - 08 (same)
1903 - 09 (same)
1903 - 10 (same)
1903 - 11 (same)
1903 - 12 (same)
1904 - 01 (same)
1904 - 02 (same)
1904 - 03 (same)
1904 - 04 (same)
1904 - 05 (same)
1904 - 06 (same)
1904 - 07 (same)
1904 - 08 (same)
1904 - 09 (same)
1904 - 10 (same)
1904 - 11 (same)
1904 - 12 (same)
1905 - 01 (same)
1905 - 02 (same)
1905 - 03 (same)
1905 - 04 (same)
1905 - 05 (same)
1905 - 06 (same)
1905 - 07 (same)
1905 - 08 (same)
1905 - 09 (same)
1905 - 10 (same)
1905 - 11 (same)
1905 - 12 (same)
1906 - 01 (same)
1906 - 02 (same)
1906 - 03 (same)
1906 - 04 (same)
1906 - 05 (same)
1906 - 06 (same)
1906 - 07 (same)
1906 - 08 (same)
1906 - 09 (same)
1906 - 10 (same)
1906 - 11 (same)
1906 - 12 (same)
1907 - 01 (same)
1907 - 02 (same)
1907 - 03 (same)
1907 - 04 (same)
1907 - 05 (same)
1907 - 06 (same)
1907 - 07 (same)
1907 - 08 (same)
1907 - 09 (same)
1907 - 10 (same)
1907 - 11 (same)
1907 - 12 (same)
1908 - 01 (same)
1908 - 02 (same)
1908 - 03 (same)
1908 - 04 (same)
1908 - 05 (same)
1908 - 06 (same)
1908 - 07 (same)
1908 - 08 (same)
1908 - 09 (same)
1908 - 10 (same)
1908 - 11 (same)
1908 - 12 (same)
1909 - 01 (same)
1909 - 02 (same)
1909 - 03 (same)
1909 - 04 (same)
1909 - 05 (same)
1909 - 06 (same)
1909 - 07 (same)
1909 - 08 " 50 "
1909 - 09 (same)
1909 - 10 (same)
1909 - 11 (same)
1909 - 12 (same)
1910 - 01 (same)
1910 - 02 (same)
1910 - 03 (same)
1910 - 04 (same)
1910 - 05 (same)
1910 - 06 (same)
1910 - 07 " 48 "
1910 - 08 " 47 "
1910 - 09 " 45 "
1910 - 10 " 46 "
1910 - 11 (same)
1910 - 12 " 47 "
1911 - 01 " 48 "
1911 - 02 " 47 "
1911 - 03 " 48 "
1911 - 04 " 47 "
1911 - 05 " 48 "
1911 - 06 (same)
1911 - 07 (same)
1911 - 08 " 47 "
1911 - 09 (same)
Moved to Passenger Equipment listing
1911 - 10 " 47 Express Freight
1911 - 11 (same)
1911 - 12 (same)
1912 - 01 (same)
1912 - 02 " 44 "
1912 - 03 " 39 "
1912 - 04 2949-2999 37 "
1912 - 05 " 35 "
1912 - 06 " 37 "
1912 - 07 " 42 "
1912 - 08 (same)
1912 - 09 (same)
1912 - 10 " 41 "
1912 - 11 " 40 "
1912 - 12 (same)
1913 - 01 (same)
1913 - 02 (same)
1913 - 03 " 39 "
1913 - 04 (same)
1913 - 05 (same)
1913 - 06 (same)
1913 - 07 (same)
1913 - 08 (same)
1913 - 09 (same)
1913 - 10 " 38 "
1913 - 11 " 39 "
1913 - 12 (same)
1914 - 01 (same)
1914 - 02 (same)
1914 - 03 (same)
1914 - 04 (same)
1914 - 05 (same)
1914 - 06 (same)
1914 - 07 " 36 "
1914 - 08 " 35 "
Moved back to Freight Equipment listing
1914 - 09 " 35 "
1914 - 10 (same)
1914 - 11 " 31 "
1914 - 12 (same)
1915 - 01 (same)
1915 - 02 (same)
1915 - 03 (same)
1915 - 04 " " Express Freight, Steel Underframe
1915 - 05 (same)
1915 - 06 (same)
1915 - 07 (same)
1915 - 08 (same)
1915 - 09 (same)
1915 - 10 (same)
1915 - 11 (same)
1915 - 12 (same)
1916 - 01 (same)
1916 - 02 (same)
1916 - 03 (same)
1916 - 04 (same)
Moved back to Passenger Equipment listing;
Combined with Baggage & Horse cars
1916 - 05 2949-2999 308 Baggage, Express & Horse
Refer to (not yet started) Passenger Equipment listing for info after this date.

ORER Size Data - 1901-1910
Description	4/1903	9/1910 - 9/1911
Length	34' to 35'	34' to [sic]25'
Width
Height
Capacity (Pounds)	40 to 60000	40 to 60000

ORER Size Data
Description	9/1914	11/1914
M.C.B. / AAR Mechanical Designation		XM
Inside Dimensions	Length	36'	36'
Width	8'-6"	8'-6"
Height	8'-0¾	8'-0¾
Outside Dimensions	Length	37'-6"	37'-6"
Width	At Eaves or top of sides or platform	9'-7"	9'-7"
Extreme Width
Height from Rail	To Eaves	12'-6¾"	12'-6¾"
To top of platform or Running Board	13'-3¾"	13'-3¾"
To Overall	13'-11⅝"	13'-11⅝"
Door - Side opening	Width	6'	6'
Height	7'-7¼"	7'-7¼"
Capacity	Cu Ft. Level Full	2448	2448
Pounds	60000	60000

ORER History
ORER Date (Year-Mo.)	Car Numbers	# of Cars	Description
1901 - 02	2900-2999	…	Express Freight, 34 and 35 ft., 40000 and 60000 lbs capy.
1901 - 03	(same)
1901 - 04	(same)
1901 - 05	(same)
1901 - 06	(same)
1901 - 07	(same)
1901 - 08	(same)
1901 - 09	(same)
1901 - 10	(same)
1901 - 11	(same)
1901 - 12	(same)
1902 - 01	(same)
1902 - 02	(same)
1902 - 03	(same)
1902 - 04	(same)
1902 - 05	(same)
1902 - 06	(same)
1902 - 07	(same)
1902 - 08	(same)
1902 - 09	(same)
1902 - 10	(same)
1902 - 11	(same)
1902 - 12	(same)
1903 - 01	(same)
1903 - 02	(same)
1903 - 03	(same)
1903 - 05	"	51	Box, Express Freight
1903 - 04	(same)
1903 - 05	(same)
1903 - 06	(same)
1903 - 07	(same)
1903 - 08	(same)
1903 - 09	(same)
1903 - 10	(same)
1903 - 11	(same)
1903 - 12	(same)
1904 - 01	(same)
1904 - 02	(same)
1904 - 03	(same)
1904 - 04	(same)
1904 - 05	(same)
1904 - 06	(same)
1904 - 07	(same)
1904 - 08	(same)
1904 - 09	(same)
1904 - 10	(same)
1904 - 11	(same)
1904 - 12	(same)
1905 - 01	(same)
1905 - 02	(same)
1905 - 03	(same)
1905 - 04	(same)
1905 - 05	(same)
1905 - 06	(same)
1905 - 07	(same)
1905 - 08	(same)
1905 - 09	(same)
1905 - 10	(same)
1905 - 11	(same)
1905 - 12	(same)
1906 - 01	(same)
1906 - 02	(same)
1906 - 03	(same)
1906 - 04	(same)
1906 - 05	(same)
1906 - 06	(same)
1906 - 07	(same)
1906 - 08	(same)
1906 - 09	(same)
1906 - 10	(same)
1906 - 11	(same)
1906 - 12	(same)
1907 - 01	(same)
1907 - 02	(same)
1907 - 03	(same)
1907 - 04	(same)
1907 - 05	(same)
1907 - 06	(same)
1907 - 07	(same)
1907 - 08	(same)
1907 - 09	(same)
1907 - 10	(same)
1907 - 11	(same)
1907 - 12	(same)
1908 - 01	(same)
1908 - 02	(same)
1908 - 03	(same)
1908 - 04	(same)
1908 - 05	(same)
1908 - 06	(same)
1908 - 07	(same)
1908 - 08	(same)
1908 - 09	(same)
1908 - 10	(same)
1908 - 11	(same)
1908 - 12	(same)
1909 - 01	(same)
1909 - 02	(same)
1909 - 03	(same)
1909 - 04	(same)
1909 - 05	(same)
1909 - 06	(same)
1909 - 07	(same)
1909 - 08	"	50	"
1909 - 09	(same)
1909 - 10	(same)
1909 - 11	(same)
1909 - 12	(same)
1910 - 01	(same)
1910 - 02	(same)
1910 - 03	(same)
1910 - 04	(same)
1910 - 05	(same)
1910 - 06	(same)
1910 - 07	"	48	"
1910 - 08	"	47	"
1910 - 09	"	45	"
1910 - 10	"	46	"
1910 - 11	(same)
1910 - 12	"	47	"
1911 - 01	"	48	"
1911 - 02	"	47	"
1911 - 03	"	48	"
1911 - 04	"	47	"
1911 - 05	"	48	"
1911 - 06	(same)
1911 - 07	(same)
1911 - 08	"	47	"
1911 - 09	(same)
Moved to Passenger Equipment listing
1911 - 10	"	47	Express Freight
1911 - 11	(same)
1911 - 12	(same)
1912 - 01	(same)
1912 - 02	"	44	"
1912 - 03	"	39	"
1912 - 04	2949-2999	37	"
1912 - 05	"	35	"
1912 - 06	"	37	"
1912 - 07	"	42	"
1912 - 08	(same)
1912 - 09	(same)
1912 - 10	"	41	"
1912 - 11	"	40	"
1912 - 12	(same)
1913 - 01	(same)
1913 - 02	(same)
1913 - 03	"	39	"
1913 - 04	(same)
1913 - 05	(same)
1913 - 06	(same)
1913 - 07	(same)
1913 - 08	(same)
1913 - 09	(same)
1913 - 10	"	38	"
1913 - 11	"	39	"
1913 - 12	(same)
1914 - 01	(same)
1914 - 02	(same)
1914 - 03	(same)
1914 - 04	(same)
1914 - 05	(same)
1914 - 06	(same)
1914 - 07	"	36	"
1914 - 08	"	35	"
Moved back to Freight Equipment listing
1914 - 09	"	35	"
1914 - 10	(same)
1914 - 11	"	31	"
1914 - 12	(same)
1915 - 01	(same)
1915 - 02	(same)
1915 - 03	(same)
1915 - 04	"	"	Express Freight, Steel Underframe
1915 - 05	(same)
1915 - 06	(same)
1915 - 07	(same)
1915 - 08	(same)
1915 - 09	(same)
1915 - 10	(same)
1915 - 11	(same)
1915 - 12	(same)
1916 - 01	(same)
1916 - 02	(same)
1916 - 03	(same)
1916 - 04	(same)
Moved back to Passenger Equipment listing; Combined with Baggage & Horse cars
1916 - 05	2949-2999	308	Baggage, Express & Horse
Refer to (not yet started) Passenger Equipment listing for info after this date.

ORER Notes

Has "*" indicating "Air Brakes" (1902-04 thru 1909-06)

Discussion, General Notes

From the dimensional data, it appears these these cars were completely replaced while listed under the passenger car roster
B&MRRHS 1900-1907 Freight Car Lettering Book No. 1 (Reprint of B&M lettering diagrams)
Note the "Book page number" below refers to the page number in the B&MRRHS book.
As the B&MRRHS book's pages are NOT numbered, "1" is the first page with an actual diagram! (NOT the title pages or index pages)
"U" = upper diagram on that page, "L" = lower diagram
The "Diagram number" refers to the circled number (lower right corner) in each diagram (the original page number)

Book page # 31 - L
B&M Diagram # 58
Diagram Date 1907
Color on Diagram Pullman
Notes on Diagram Hinged doorsshown on diagram
"8 Wheel Express Freight and Ventilated Cars (Fitchburg Div)"
Number breakdown on diagram:
[NOS]: 2970-2986
End Windows: 2987-2990
Others: 2991-2999
Others: 2949-2969
Datum 1900 Index 1907 Index
Class of car Box Car (Express) Box Car Express Freight
Length various various
Capacity various various
Car Numbers 2970-2986
End Windows: 2987-2990
Others: 2991-2999
Others: 2949-2969 2949-2999
Page [original] 52 58

Book page #	31 - L
B&M Diagram #	58
Diagram Date	1907
Color on Diagram	Pullman
Notes on Diagram	Hinged doorsshown on diagram "8 Wheel Express Freight and Ventilated Cars (Fitchburg Div)" Number breakdown on diagram: [NOS]: 2970-2986 End Windows: 2987-2990 Others: 2991-2999 Others: 2949-2969
Datum	1900 Index	1907 Index
Class of car	Box Car (Express)	Box Car Express Freight
Length	various	various
Capacity	various	various
Car Numbers	2970-2986 End Windows: 2987-2990 Others: 2991-2999 Others: 2949-2969	2949-2999
Page [original]	52	58

ICC Valuation Data (circa 1914)

For more info on the ICC valuation data, see this web page

"Owning"
RR Car # Val
Sheet # Index
on Page Car Type Built
Date Builder Capy Underframe Body Trucks
Fitchburg 2949 F-16 1 Express Freight 1909 L.C.[Laconia?] [N/A] steel wood C.S. [Cast or Commonwealth?]
Fitchburg 2953 F-16 2 Express Freight 1909 L.C.[Laconia?] [N/A] steel wood C.S. [Cast or Commonwealth?]
Fitchburg 2957-2959 F-16 3 Express Freight 1909 L.C.[Laconia?] [N/A] steel wood C.S. [Cast or Commonwealth?]
Fitchburg 2961-2964 F-16 4 Express Freight 1909 L.C.[Laconia?] [N/A] steel wood C.S. [Cast or Commonwealth?]
Fitchburg 2967-2968 F-16 5 Express Freight 1909 L.C.[Laconia?] [N/A] steel wood C.S. [Cast or Commonwealth?]
Fitchburg 2969 F-16 13 Express Freight 1899 Fitchburg RR [N/A] wood wood wood
Fitchburg 2970 F-16 6 Express Freight 1909 L.C.[Laconia?] [N/A] steel wood C.S. [Cast or Commonwealth?]
Fitchburg 2972 F-16 14 Express Freight 1897 Fitchburg RR [N/A] wood wood wood (passenger type)
Fitchburg 2973 F-16 7 Express Freight 1909 L.C.[Laconia?] [N/A] steel wood C.S. [Cast or Commonwealth?]
Fitchburg 2975-2978 F-16 8 Express Freight 1909 L.C.[Laconia?] [N/A] steel wood C.S. [Cast or Commonwealth?]
Fitchburg 2979 F-16 15 Express Freight 1897 Fitchburg RR [N/A] wood wood wood (passenger type)
Fitchburg 2980-2984 F-16 9 Express Freight 1909 L.C.[Laconia?] [N/A] steel wood C.S. [Cast or Commonwealth?]
Fitchburg 2987-2990 F-16 10 Express Freight 1909 L.C.[Laconia?] [N/A] steel wood C.S. [Cast or Commonwealth?]
Fitchburg 2992-2993 F-16 11 Express Freight 1909 L.C.[Laconia?] [N/A] steel wood C.S. [Cast or Commonwealth?]
Fitchburg 2996 F-16 16 Express Freight 1892 Fitchburg RR [N/A] wood wood wood
Fitchburg 2997-2999 F-16 12 Express Freight 1909 L.C.[Laconia?] [N/A] steel wood C.S. [Cast or Commonwealth?]

"Owning" RR	Car #	Val Sheet #	Index on Page	Car Type	Built Date	Builder	Capy	Underframe	Body	Trucks
Fitchburg	2949	F-16	1	Express Freight	1909	L.C.[Laconia?]	[N/A]	steel	wood	C.S. [Cast or Commonwealth?]
Fitchburg	2953	F-16	2	Express Freight	1909	L.C.[Laconia?]	[N/A]	steel	wood	C.S. [Cast or Commonwealth?]
Fitchburg	2957-2959	F-16	3	Express Freight	1909	L.C.[Laconia?]	[N/A]	steel	wood	C.S. [Cast or Commonwealth?]
Fitchburg	2961-2964	F-16	4	Express Freight	1909	L.C.[Laconia?]	[N/A]	steel	wood	C.S. [Cast or Commonwealth?]
Fitchburg	2967-2968	F-16	5	Express Freight	1909	L.C.[Laconia?]	[N/A]	steel	wood	C.S. [Cast or Commonwealth?]
Fitchburg	2969	F-16	13	Express Freight	1899	Fitchburg RR	[N/A]	wood	wood	wood
Fitchburg	2970	F-16	6	Express Freight	1909	L.C.[Laconia?]	[N/A]	steel	wood	C.S. [Cast or Commonwealth?]
Fitchburg	2972	F-16	14	Express Freight	1897	Fitchburg RR	[N/A]	wood	wood	wood (passenger type)
Fitchburg	2973	F-16	7	Express Freight	1909	L.C.[Laconia?]	[N/A]	steel	wood	C.S. [Cast or Commonwealth?]
Fitchburg	2975-2978	F-16	8	Express Freight	1909	L.C.[Laconia?]	[N/A]	steel	wood	C.S. [Cast or Commonwealth?]
Fitchburg	2979	F-16	15	Express Freight	1897	Fitchburg RR	[N/A]	wood	wood	wood (passenger type)
Fitchburg	2980-2984	F-16	9	Express Freight	1909	L.C.[Laconia?]	[N/A]	steel	wood	C.S. [Cast or Commonwealth?]
Fitchburg	2987-2990	F-16	10	Express Freight	1909	L.C.[Laconia?]	[N/A]	steel	wood	C.S. [Cast or Commonwealth?]
Fitchburg	2992-2993	F-16	11	Express Freight	1909	L.C.[Laconia?]	[N/A]	steel	wood	C.S. [Cast or Commonwealth?]
Fitchburg	2996	F-16	16	Express Freight	1892	Fitchburg RR	[N/A]	wood	wood	wood
Fitchburg	2997-2999	F-16	12	Express Freight	1909	L.C.[Laconia?]	[N/A]	steel	wood	C.S. [Cast or Commonwealth?]

Paint Schemes

References or other data

Magazine/Book article(s)

Photographs

Renumberings/Conversions/Dispositions

Models

Revision History

File History for THIS page
Date Who Description
08-Dec-2019 KG Akerboom Initial release
04-Apr-2020 KG Akerboom Re-did references/photos section
26-Apr-2020 KG Akerboom Reformatted "date" table
05-May-2020 KG Akerboom Moved ORER notes into separate section
16-May-2020 KG Akerboom Added data from 4 more ORERs (1911,1919,1921,1931), updated last listing
21-Jul-2020 KG Akerboom "Photos" table - changed "vertical" text to PNG of "sideways" text; added "Markings" columns
07- thru
16-Aug-2020 KG Akerboom Added ORER data (History only, not dims or notes yet) for 63 more registers, courtesy of James Kinkaid
10-Oct-2020 KG Akerboom Added E. Neubauer ORER data (car counts only, 15 issues)
27-Jan-2021 KG Akerboom Added info from "1900-1907 Freight Car Lettering Diagrams" book
10-Apr-2021 KG Akerboom Added info from 47 more ORERs 1903 thru 1917
15-Feb-2022 KG Akerboom Added ICC Valuation data
04-Jan-2023 KG Akerboom Fixed headers and footers...hopefully
05-Mar-2023 KG Akerboom Updated ORER data with (almost) complete data
27-Jul-2025 KG Akerboom Added back-link to FRR car series
29-Jul-2025 KG Akerboom Fix typos in lease data

File History for THIS page
Date	Who	Description
08-Dec-2019	KG Akerboom	Initial release
04-Apr-2020	KG Akerboom	Re-did references/photos section
26-Apr-2020	KG Akerboom	Reformatted "date" table
05-May-2020	KG Akerboom	Moved ORER notes into separate section
16-May-2020	KG Akerboom	Added data from 4 more ORERs (1911,1919,1921,1931), updated last listing
21-Jul-2020	KG Akerboom	"Photos" table - changed "vertical" text to PNG of "sideways" text; added "Markings" columns
07- thru 16-Aug-2020	KG Akerboom	Added ORER data (History only, not dims or notes yet) for 63 more registers, courtesy of James Kinkaid
10-Oct-2020	KG Akerboom	Added E. Neubauer ORER data (car counts only, 15 issues)
27-Jan-2021	KG Akerboom	Added info from "1900-1907 Freight Car Lettering Diagrams" book
10-Apr-2021	KG Akerboom	Added info from 47 more ORERs 1903 thru 1917
15-Feb-2022	KG Akerboom	Added ICC Valuation data
04-Jan-2023	KG Akerboom	Fixed headers and footers...hopefully
05-Mar-2023	KG Akerboom	Updated ORER data with (almost) complete data
27-Jul-2025	KG Akerboom	Added back-link to FRR car series
29-Jul-2025	KG Akerboom	Fix typos in lease data

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