B&MRRHS HomeB&M Freight Cars Home

Boston & Maine (3rd) 70000 Series Box Cars

Index

Builder's Photo

Does one exist?

B&M D&RGW Equipment Diagram

Courtesy Darrell Sawyer

For more info on the classification cards and "webitizing" them, see this web page
Click on image to see original scan at full resolution (or right-click → "Save Picture As" to download black and white image, to view it at full resolution)

Specifications From D&RGW Diagram (and Misc. Sources)

Spec Value
Builder 1966, for Rock Island (B&MRRHS Modelers Notes No 39)
Rebuilt by PFE (B&MRRHS Modelers Notes No 18.)
Wrong!
American Car & Foundry Co.
Description (Jim Eager et al.) These were ACF Precision Design cars with the pressed side panels beside the doors.
Lot # FJC #3 - Jim Eager indicated these are lot 11-06134
Car Numbers D&RGW: 63300-63499
B&M: 70000-70049
Quantity D&RGW: 200
B&M: 50
Build Date 1966
Jim Eager (personal email), FJC #3: ACF 10-1966
AAR class D&RGW: XM
B&M: XM and XP
Journals 6" x 11" Hyatt Roller Bearings
Wheels 33" Wrot Steel [1-W?]
Axles D-11-63
Truck Type ASF A-3 Ride control 3 1116" spring travel
Truck Sides Narrow Pedestal Type
Side Bearings Stucki-single roller
Brake Beam Unit type No. 24
Brake Shoes AAR 1-A
Roof Standard Railway Equipment Co. - diagonal panel
Ends Standard Railway Equipment Co. 2 Piece
(from photos) (bottom to top) 4-3-1 "banana taper" dreadnaught?
Sides Copper Bearing Steel
Floor National Steel Corp ECR-3 134" nailable steel
Underframe Keystone cushion 20" travel
Draft Gear Cardwell-Westinghouse Mark [50?]
Doors Camel Corrugated steel - Youngstown type 47 (From Railgoat site: 7' and 8')
Door fixtures Camel Roller Lift
Air Brake Westinghouse ABD 1012
Brake Slack Adjuster Ellcom National - model 1340
Hand Brake 100 cars - Klasing
100 cars - Miner [O-3290-XL ??]
(unknown at this point which kind(s) the B&M got)
Crossover Steps U.S. Gypsum Co.
Marked Capy 145000 lbs
Lt Weight [64400?] lbs (average)
Max Weight of lading[145600?] lbs
Cubical Capy 4941 Cu Ft.
Length Inside 50' - 6 116"
Width Inside 9' - 4 116"
Height Inside (at eaves) 10' - 6"
(at center) 11' = 0"
Ladders (from photos) "short" [not full height]

ORER data and numbers

ORER Size Data
Description 10/1979 10/1981 1/1983
AAR Mechanical Designation XM XP XP
Inside
Dimensions
Length 50'-6" 50'-6" 50'-6"
Width 9'-4" 9'-4" 9'-4"
Height 10'-6" 10'-6" 10'-6"
Outside
Dimensions
Length 58'-1" 58'-1" 58'-1"
Width At Eaves or top of sides or platform 10' 10' 10'
Extreme Width 10'-7" 10'-7" 10'-7"
Height
from
Rail
To Extreme Width 13'-9" 13'-9" 13'-9"
To Eaves or top of sides or platform 14'-3" 14'-3" 14'-3"
To Extreme Height 14'-11" 14'-11" 14'-11"
Door - Side
opening
Width 15 15 15
Height 9'-10" 9'-10" 9'-10"
Capacity Cu Ft. Level Full 4941 4941 4947
Pounds 145000 145000 145000

ORER History
ORER Date
(Year-Mo.)
Car
Numbers
# of
Cars
Description
1979 - 10 70000-70049 50 Box, Steel, Cushion Underframe, Nailable Steel Floor, 50K
1980 - 01 (same)
1980 - 04 (same)
1980 - 07 (same)
1980 - 10 (same)
1981 - 01 (same)
1981 - 04 (same)
1981 - 07 (same)
1981 - 10 (same)
1982 - 01 (same)
1982 - 04 (same)
1982 - 07 (same)
1982 - 10 (same)
1983 - 01 " Box, Steel, 20'' Travel Shock Control Cushion Underframe,
Offset Double Doors (Auto Parts), 50K
1983 - 05 (same)
1983 - 07 " 49 "
1983 - 10 (same)
1984 - 01 (same)
1984 - 04 (same)
1984 - 07 (same)
1984 - 10 " 48 "
1985 - 01 (same)
1985 - 04 (same)
1985 - 07 (same)
1985 - 10 (same)
1986 - 01 (same)
1986 - 04 (same)
1986 - 07 (same)
1986 - 10 (same)
1987 - 01 (same)
1987 - 04 (same)
1987 - 07 (same)
1987 - 10 (same)
1988 - 01 (same)
1988 - 04 (same)
1988 - 07 (same)
1988 - 10 (same)
1989 - 01 70000-70049 47 Box, Steel, 20'' Travel Shock Control Cushion Underframe,
Offset Double Doors (Auto Parts), 50K
70012 1 Box, Steel [154000 lbs capy]
1989 - 04 (same) (both rows)
1989 - 07 (same) (both rows)
1989 - 10 (same) (both rows)
1990 - 01 (same) (both rows)
1990 - 04 (same) (both rows)
1990 - 07 (same) (both rows)
1990 - 10 (same) (both rows)
1991 - 01 Not listed

ORER Notes

Discussion, General Notes

STB Recordation Data

The STB (and ICC earlier) has records about car leases. For this car series, the following are available (copied from The STB web site)

Paint Schemes

As delivered
blue sides (including fishbelly), ends. Roof- grey/galvanized, with blue overspray. Black trucks
"Boston&Maine" spelled in 1 line, no extra space around "&" (i.e. "all one word")
Black Youngstown doors?
as-built - COTS (2 "boxes" side-by-side), and U-1 "yellow dot" already applied? U-1 mark seems to have faded to white in many photos

References or other data

Photographs

PageCar # Photo Date
yr-mo-day
Visible? MarkingsPaint
Scheme
Herald Notes
B&MRRHS Modelers Notes Issue No. included in "page" column
No 18 p3 70023 1985 X Bp 2HINNblue? original low mount brake wheel. From Caption:
"car has 2 different style uncoupling levers and 'modern' safety appliances"
Bob's Photos (photo "number" in "page" column, collection in "Note" column)
BM096 70026 1979-11-07 Y X B blue spelled low mount brake wheel.
Railroad Picture Archives (as of 10-Apr-2020)
Go to "By Railroad", then "Fallen Flags", then "BM" Boston & Maine section
Then "Rolling Stock Roster" → "Photographed" link, then page thru for car number
BM 70003 70003 2006-06-24 Y X A BMGGNN2HW?NNoriginal original No doors!.
Red/white painted rectangle in lower side corners (also seen other cars in photo)
BM 70006 70006 1979-08-20 Y X A BMGGNN2HW?NNoriginal original New (or almost)
BM 70008 70008 1989-05-05 Y X p BMGGNN2HW?NNoriginal original
BM 70011 70011 1981-04-04 Y X B X BMGGNN2HW?NNoriginal original good roof shot
BM 70045 70045 1981-04-04 Y X A? X BMGGNN2HW?NNoriginal original good roof shot
Fallen Flags and Other Railroad Photos (as of 15-Apr-2020)
Scroll down to the "B" section, click on the "Boston & Maine (B&M)" link
Then scroll down to find the photo. The "Page" column has the "Link" text listed
XM 70008 70008 1989-05-05 Y X p BMGGNN2HW?NNoriginal original Same photo as Railroad Picture Archives?
XM 70020 70020 2002-05-27 Y X BMGGNN2HW?NNoriginal original no doors! Side quite abused
XM 70041 70041 1984-10-06 X Ap BMGGNN2HINNoriginal original
NMRO (Scott Whitney) CDs/DVDs (as of 18-Apr-2020)
I will have one line (sort of) telling the CD & folder path, then individual car listings will have filename in "page" column
Path: Photos → Color-SJW → Rolling-Stock
BM3049.jpg 70046 Y X BMGGNN2HW?NNoriginal original
BM70048.jpg 70048 Y X A BMGGNN2HW?NNoriginal original
70046 Y p A BMGGNN NNoriginal original can't see right end of car
Houghton's RailImages On-line photos
Pay site
Above should point at top level of "Boston & Maine Railroad" album. Scroll thru to find file listed below
BM-364.jpg 70049 Y X p BMGGNN2HW?NNoriginal original
Rail Car Photos (as of 24-Aug-2020)
May require a login, May require a browser newer than Internet Explorer.
Several ways to get there, I "Search Photos" → "By Reporting Mark"
Scroll down and click the "Search" button to the right of the "BM" reporting marks
Then scroll down to find the photo. The "Page" column has the "Link" text listed
70045 1981-04-04 Y X B X BMGGNN2HINNoriginal original
Canadian Freight Railcar Gallery (as of 29-Aug-2020)
"American Railroads" → "Boston & Maine"
Then scroll down to find the photo.
BM 70009 1989-07-22 Y X A BMR?GNY2HIN original original
Box and Freight Cars of North America (as of 30-Aug-2020)
Select the "A-L" link → Select the "B-BM" link → B&M cars are on pp 10-11 (of 11 total)
Images on web are "thumbnails", you may have pay for higher resolution images
70009 1987-08-21 Y X A BMGGN?2HIN original originalTitle = "BM, Boston & Maine 50' Double Door Boxcar, 70009 August 21st, 1987, South Portland, Maine"
BM 70011 Rochester 8-5-88 HAF
You may have to join this group to see the photos
Alternative URL: https://groups.io/g/BM-RR → Photo Albums → Freight Cars → BM 70011 Rochester 8-5-88 HAF
70011 1988-08-05 Y X A BMGGNNN2HW?N
BM 70009 Dover 5-30-81 HAF
You may have to join this group to see the photos
Alternative URL: https://groups.io/g/BM-RR → Photo Albums → Freight Cars → BM 70009 Dover 5-30-81 HAF
70009 1981-05-30 X B BMGGNNNNNN
Rail Goat web site (as of 15-Sep-2025)
70012 1983-06-26 X BMGGNN2HI NNoriginal original
70045 1981-04-04 Y X B? X BMGGNN2HW?NNoriginal original good roof shot, same image as above?
Bob's photos - "Grey" notebook, title=Boston & Maine box car 70013
Springfield, MA
70013 1979-09-15 Y X B BMGGNN2HYNNoriginal original

Renumberings/Conversions/Dispositions

Models

Scale Manufacturer Stock number Car number Paint scheme Notes
HO Front Range "5100 ACF 50' double-door box" 70034 (?) unknown accuracy. Available mid 1990s.
HO Accurail 5919 70026 as built? 50' double door car, unknown accuracy. Has short ladders, no running board, and low brake wheel. Listed "out of stock" on Accurail web site, Dec 2020.
HO Athearn ATH-3023 70017 as built Somewhat dubious accuracy, as prototype had 2 Youngstown sliding doors, but model (based on text description and illustrations on their web site) has one Youngstown sliding, and one *plug* door. Hard to tell what end is on their model (can't zoom on their illustrations), but it does not look right to me.
Announced May/June 2025, per their web site release date is November, 2026
HO Athearn ATH-3024 70029 as built
HO Athearn ATH-3025 70042 as built
HO Atlas ? ? ? Mentioned in Aug, 2002 Railmodel Journal article. Unknown accuracy for B&M/D&RGW cars
HO Cannon 5042 N/A N/A Kit for the D&RGW 63300-63499 (and 63700-63799) series cars - the 63300-63499 series are the B&M cars
See their web site (specific link = https://cannonandco.net/shop/ols/products/5042-drgw-acf-double-door-box-car)
Possibly best starting point for an "Accurate" model?

per B&MRRHS Modelers Notes #18 (1990), A Robin's Rails 50' double-door boxcar could be used.
Needs an additional .005" styrene stiffener added around the door opening. Use cut down ladders and Details West cushion underframe. Decals from Herald King (B-625)

Revision History

File History for THIS page
Date Who Description
18-Dec-2019 KG Akerboom Initial release
29-Mar-2020 KG Akerboom Added data from 19 more ORERs
04-Apr-2020 KG Akerboom Re-did references/photos section
17-Apr-2020 KG Akerboom Added more web sites: B&MRRHS Flickr, Fallen Flags, NMRA Archives, Earl Tuson. Also Scott Whitney (NMRO) CDs
22-Apr-2020 KG Akerboom Updated per B&MRRHS Modeler's Notes #39
25-Apr-2020 KG Akerboom Added Houghton's RailImages web site
25-Apr-2020 KG Akerboom Updated per B&MRRHS Modelers Notes No 37
05-May-2020 KG Akerboom Moved ORER notes into separate section
21-Jul-2020 KG Akerboom "Photos" table - changed "vertical" text to PNG of "sideways" text; added "Markings" columns
01-Aug-2020 KG Akerboom Changed "Houghton's RailImages" web link
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
25-Aug-2020 KG Akerboom Added "Rail Car Photos" web site photos
29-Aug-2020 KG Akerboom Added "Canadian Freight Railcar Gallery" photos
30-Aug-2020 KG Akerboom Added "Box and Freight Cars of North America" photos
03-Nov-2020 KG Akerboom Added groups.io.BM-RR photos
12-Dec-2020 KG Akerboom Added model info
30-Dec-2020 KG Akerboom Added Front Range model, MR "Paint Shop" reference
07-Mar-2021 KG Akerboom Updated "Box and Freight Cars of North America" photos
29-Jan-2022 KG Akerboom Added "Rail Goat" web site photos
06-Nov-2022 KG Akerboom Updated per [almost] complete ORER data
04-Jan-2023 KG Akerboom Fixed headers and footers...hopefully
20-Jan-2025 KG Akerboom Added STB recordations
01-Feb-2025 KG Akerboom Fixed typos
11-Feb-2025 KG Akerboom Added Freight Car Journal #3 info
23-Aug-2025 KG Akerboom Added Bob's Photos photos
15-Sep-2025 KG Akerboom Added 2nd Railgoat photo (70013), added technical data, Athearn, Cannon models
18-Sep-2025 KG Akerboom Added D&RGW Equipment diagram & specs
26-Sep-2025 KG Akerboom Added 8-2002 RMJ article

Return to Top of Page
Web page created and maintained by Ken Akerboom
©2025 B&MRRHS - All Rights Reserved
B&MRRHS Home | B&M Freight Cars Home