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Boston & Maine 8900 Series Gondola Cars

Index

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

Builder's Photo

AC&F photo, from Westerfield Models "AC&F Photos and Data Disk" DVD (file on DVD is "4674.jpg").
Used with permission.

B&M Classification Card(s)

For more info on the classification cards and "webitizing" them, see this web page

From 1942 class book.

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)

From 1955 class book.

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 Classification Cards

Spec	Value
Builder	Rodgers Ballast Car Co. (AC&F, St. Louis)
Lot #	17 [B&M] [per Ed Hawkins, from Al Westerfield data for car # 8924, *possibly* ACF (series 1) lot number 4674] Looking at the lot lists on the Westerfield AC&F DVD, the Rodgers cars were listed as "built for Rodgers Ballast Car Co." As photo has "4674" pencilled on it, it seems that these cars were lot 4674 (100 cars, 10/18/1906, Detroit, marked "WU"[Wood underframe?])
Spec #	199
Car Numbers	8900-8999
Quantity	100
Build Date	1907
AAR class	HT [in ORER, MWB]
Description	B&M wood-underframe Rodgers Ballast (Hart Convertible) cars
Lt Weight	36,400 (approx)
Cubic Cap'y	Cu. Ft. Cu. Yds. As hopper, Level Full 910 33.7 As hopper, 30" heap 1,139 42.2 As gondola, Level Full 1,180 43.7 As gondola, 30" heap 1,518 56.2
Truss Rods	Eight at 1¼" dia.
Trucks	Arch Bar
Journals	5" x 9" (80,000 lbs nominal capacity)
Springs	ARA class "C"
Center plates	Spherical
Body and Truck Bolsters	Steel plates with pressed diaphrams
Air Brake	8" x 12" cylinder
Coupler	MCB
Coupler Yoke	5" x 7" shank, 6½" butts
Draft Gear	Miner Tandem Spring
Side Bearings	[no value specified]

ORER data and numbers

ORER Size Data - 1903-1910

Dimensions	6/1907
Length	36'
Width
Height
Capacity	80000

ORER Size Data - 1910-1926

Description			6/1910	2/1911	3/1911	11/1912	2/1914	11/1914	11/1922	2/1927
M.C.B. Designation								MWB	HT	HT
Inside Dimensions	Length		34'-2"	34'-2"	34'-0½"	34'-0½"	34'	34'	34'	34' 24'
	Width		8'-8"	8'-8"	8'-8"	8'-8"	8'-7"	8'-7"	8'-7"	8'-7"
	Height				3'-8"	3'-8"	4'-2"	4'-2"	4'-2"	4'-2"
Outside Dimensions	Length		36'	36'	36'	36'	36'	36'	36'	36'
	Width	At Eaves or top of sides or platform	9'-2"	9'-2"	9'-2"	9'-2"	9'-2"	9'-2"	9'-2"	9'-2"
		Extreme Width
	Height from Rail	To Extreme Width
		To Eaves or top of sides or platform
		To Top of Running Board
		To Extreme Height
Door - Side opening	Width
	Height
Capacity	Cu Ft. Level Full			1081	1081	1001	1215	1215	1215	1215 900
	Pounds		80000	80000	80000	80000	80000	80000	80000	80000

ORER History

ORER Date (Year-Mo.)	Car Numbers	# of Cars	Description
1907 - 05	[count possibly included in 9000-9049 series]
1907 - 06	8900-8999	100	Coal, Rodger Ballast
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	(same)
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	(same)
1910 - 08	(same)
1910 - 09	(same)
1910 - 10	(same)
1910 - 11	"	98	"
1910 - 12	(same)
1911 - 01	(same)
1911 - 02	"	98	"
1911 - 03	(same)
1911 - 04	(same)
1911 - 05	(same)
1911 - 06	(same)
1911 - 07	(same)
1911 - 08	"	97	"
1911 - 09	(same)
1911 - 10	(same)
1911 - 11	(same)
1911 - 12	(same)
1912 - 01	(same)
1912 - 02	(same)
1912 - 03	(same)
1912 - 04	(same)
1912 - 05	(same)
1912 - 06	(same)
1912 - 07	(same)
1912 - 08	(same)
1912 - 09	(same)
1912 - 10	(same)
1912 - 11	(same)
1912 - 12	(same)
1913 - 01	(same)
1913 - 02	(same)
1913 - 03	"	96	"
1913 - 04	(same)
1913 - 05	(same)
1913 - 06	(same)
1913 - 07	(same)
1913 - 08	(same)
1913 - 09	(same)
1913 - 10	(same)
1913 - 11	(same)
1913 - 12	(same)
1914 - 01	(same)
1914 - 02	(same)
1914 - 03	(same)
1914 - 04	(same)
1914 - 05	(same)
1914 - 06	(same)
1914 - 07	(same)
1914 - 08	(same)
1914 - 09	(same)
1914 - 10	(same)
1914 - 11	(same)
1914 - 12	(same)
1915 - 01	(same)
1915 - 02	(same)
1915 - 03	(same)
1915 - 04	(same)
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)
1916 - 05	(same)
1916 - 06	(same)
1916 - 07	(same)
1916 - 08	(same)
1916 - 09	(same)
1916 - 10	(same)
1916 - 11	(same)
1916 - 12	(same)
1917 - 01	(same)
1917 - 02	(same)
1917 - 03	(same)
1917 - 04	(same)
1917 - 05	(same)
1917 - 06	"	95	"
1917 - 07	(same)
1917 - 08	(same)
1917 - 09	(same)
1917 - 10	(same)
1917 - 11	(same)
1917 - 12	(same)
1918 - 01	(same)
1918 - 02	(same)
1918 - 03	(same)
1918 - 04	"	94	"
1918 - 05	(same)
1918 - 06	(same)
1918 - 07	(same)
1918 - 08	(same)
1918 - 09	(same)
1918 - 10	(same)
1918 - 11	(same)
1918 - 12	(same)
1919 - 01	(same)
1919 - 02	(same)
1919 - 03	(same)
1919 - 04	(same)
1919 - 05	(same)
1919 - 06	(same)
1919 - 07	(same)
1919 - 08	(same)
1919 - 09	(same)
1919 - 10	(same)
1919 - 11	(same)
1919 - 12	(same)
1920 - 01	"	93	"
1920 - 02	"	92	"
1920 - 03	(same)
1920 - 04	(same)
1920 - 05	"	91	"
1920 - 06	(same)
1920 - 07	(same)
1920 - 08	(same)
1920 - 09	(same)
1920 - 10	"	90	"
1920 - 11	(same)
1920 - 12	"	89	"
1921 - 01	(same)
1921 - 02	(same)
1921 - 03	"	88	"
1921 - 04	(same)
1921 - 05	"	87	"
1921 - 06	(same)
1921 - 07	(same)
1921 - 08	(same)
1921 - 09	(same)
1921 - 10	(same)
1921 - 11	(same)
1921 - 12	"	86	"
1922 - 01	"	85	"
1922 - 02	(same)
1922 - 03	(same)
1922 - 04	(same)
1922 - 05	(same)
1922 - 06	(same)
1922 - 07	(same)
1922 - 08	(same)
1922 - 09	(same)
1922 - 10	(same)
1922 - 11	(same)
1922 - 12	(same)
1923 - 01	(same)
1923 - 02	(same)
1923 - 03	(same)
1923 - 04	(same)
1923 - 05	(same)
1923 - 06	(same)
1923 - 07	(same)
1923 - 08	(same)
1923 - 09	(same)
1923 - 10	"	80	"
1923 - 11	(same)
1923 - 12	(same)
1924 - 01	(same)
1924 - 02	(same)
1924 - 03	(same)
1924 - 04	(same)
1924 - 05	"	76	"
1924 - 06	"	75	"
1924 - 07	(same)
1924 - 08	"	74	"
1924 - 09	(same)
1924 - 10	(same)
1924 - 11	"	73	"
1924 - 12	"	72	"
1925 - 01	"	70	"
1925 - 02	"	69	"
1925 - 03	"	66	"
1925 - 04	"	65	"
1925 - 05	"	63	"
1925 - 06	(same)
1925 - 07	(same)
1925 - 08	"	62	"
1925 - 09	(same)
1925 - 10	"	61	"
1925 - 11	(same)
1925 - 12	"	57	"
1926 - 01	(same)
1926 - 02	(same)
1926 - 03	(same)
1926 - 04	"	55	"
1926 - 05	(same)
1926 - 06	"	54	"
1926 - 07	"	53	"
1926 - 08	(same)
1926 - 09	(same)
1926 - 10	"	52	"
1926 - 11	(same)
1926 - 12	(same)
1927 - 01	(same)
1927 - 02	"	"	Coal, Rodger Ballast, Convertible
1927 - 03	(same)
1927 - 04	(same)
1927 - 05	(same)
1927 - 06	(same)
1927 - 07	(same)
1927 - 08	(same)
1927 - 09	"	51	"
1927 - 10	"	50	"
1927 - 11	(same)
1927 - 12	(same)
1928 - 01	(same)
1928 - 02	"	48	"
1928 - 03	(same)
1928 - 04	(same)
1928 - 05	"	&helip;	"
1928 - 06	(same)
1928 - 07	"	34	"
1928 - 08	"	33	"
1928 - 09	(same)
1928 - 10	8900-8996	29	"
1928 - 11	"	27	"
1928 - 12	"	26	"
1929 - 01	"	23	"
1929 - 02	"	20	"
1929 - 03	(same)
1929 - 04	"	17	"
1929 - 05	"	16	"
1929 - 06	(same)
1929 - 07	"	13	"
1929 - 08	"	4	"
1929 - 09	"	3	"
1929 - 10	Not listed

ORER Notes

• This series Has "*" indicating "Air Brakes" (1907-06 thru 1909-06)

Discussion, General Notes

• Wood underframe Hart Convertible gondola/hopper
• Tim Gilbert notes

  See info in #9000-9039 series

• 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 #	21 - U
  B&M Diagram #	39
  Diagram Date	1907
  Color on Diagram	Brown
  Notes on Diagram
  Datum	1900 Index	1907 Index
  Class of car	n/a	Rodger Ballast Car
  Length	n/a	36'
  Capacity	n/a	80,000
  Car Numbers	n/a	8900-9049
  Page [original]	n/a	39

• I believe This US patent (from https://patents.google.com/patent/US827632A, although probably also available at the US Patent office site and other places) describes this car's operation and (in a general sense) construction.

Car Book and/or Car Disposition Data

Acquisition Books (1898 - 1917 only)

Volume number refers original book number
Page numbers refer to numbers on pages in original book, NOT to pages in PDF file(s)
Dates refer to first/last dates expenses were recorded in the acquisition book, NOT to car delivery dates

Car Number(s)	Vol	Page	First Date	Last Date	Builder	$ / Car	Notes
8900-8999	1	121	1907-02	1907-08	Rodgers Ballast Car Co	$1057

Car Books (1923-06 thru 1936-10, then 1944-05 thru 1960-03)

Volume number refers original book number
Part number refers to PDF file part as posted on B&MRRHS site
Page numbers refer to pages in PDF file(s) (L/R = Left or Right side of that PDF page)

Car Book Data										Car Disposition Data
Car Number(s)	Vol	Part	Page	Date	Action	Location	New #	Notes		ID	Date Built	Disposition Date	Disposition
8900	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1928-08	Sold for Scrap
8901	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1929-06	Sold for Scrap
8902	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8903	1	2	5	1924-03-19	Destroyed			car number suffixed with "C"??		[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8904	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1928-12	Sold for Scrap
8905	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1928-06	Sold for Scrap
8906	1	2	5	1924-03-19	Destroyed			car number suffixed with "C"??		[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8907	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8908	[not listed]									A	1907-03	199-03	Sold for Scrap
8909	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8910	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8911	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8912	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8913	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8914	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1926-02	to W3987
8915	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1928-05	Sold for Scrap
8916	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8917	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8918	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1929-05	Sold for Scrap
8919	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1928-05	Sold for Scrap
8920	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1928-05	Sold for Scrap
8921	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8922	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1928-03	Destroyed
8923	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1928-03	Destroyed
8924	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8925	1	2	5	1924-12-05	Destroyed			car number suffixed with "H"??		[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8926	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8927	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8928	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8929	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1928-05	Sold for Scrap
8930	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1926-08	to W3985
8931	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1928-05	Sold for Scrap
8932	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1929-06	Sold for Scrap
8933	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1929-06	Sold for Scrap
8934	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8935	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8936	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8937	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1928-05	Sold for Scrap
8938	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1929-05	Sold for Scrap
8939	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8940	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8941	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1929-05	Destroyed
8942	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8943	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1926-02	to W3954
8944	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1929-07	Sold for Scrap
8945	1	2	1	1924-12-11	Destroyed			car number suffixed with "S"??		[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8946	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1926-08	Sold for Scrap
8947	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1929-06	Sold for Scrap
8948	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1929-06	Sold for Scrap
8949	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8950	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1929-06	Sold for Scrap
8951	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1928-12	Sold for Scrap
8952	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8953	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8954	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8955	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1928-11	Sold for Scrap
8956	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1929-08	Sold for Scrap
8957	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1928-05	Sold for Scrap
8958	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1929-06	Sold for Scrap
8959	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8960	[not listed]									A	1907-03	1928-09	Sold for Scrap
8961	[not listed]									[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8962	[not listed]								[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8963	[not listed]								A	1907-03	1928-05	Sold for Scrap
8964	[not listed]								A	1907-03	1928-05	Sold for Scrap
8965	[not listed]								[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8966	[not listed]								A	1907-03	1928-11	Sold for Scrap
8967	[not listed]								[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8968	[not listed]								A	1907-03	1928-08	Sold for Scrap
8969	[not listed]								A	1907-03	1926-04	to W3938
8970	[not listed]								A	1907-03	1928-12	Sold for Scrap
8971	[not listed]								[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8972	[not listed]								A	1907-03	1928-03	Destroyed
8973	[not listed]								[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8974	[not listed]								[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8975	1	2	5	1924-03-19	Destroyed			car number suffixed with "C"??	[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8976	[not listed]								A	1907-03	1928-11	Sold for Scrap
8977	[not listed]								A	1907-03	1928-09	Sold for Scrap
8978	[not listed]								A	1907-03	1929-02	Sold for Scrap
8979	[not listed]								[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8980	[not listed]								[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8981	[not listed]								A	1907-03	1929-02	Sold for Scrap
8982	[not listed]								A	1907-03	1929-06	Sold for Scrap
8983	[not listed]								[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8984	[not listed]								[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8985	[not listed]								A	1907-03	1928-10	Destroyed
8986	1	2	5	1924-12-22	Destroyed			car number suffixed with "H"??	[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8987	[not listed]								A	1907-03	1929-08	Sold for Scrap
8988	[not listed]								A	1907-03	1928-03	Sold for Scrap
8989	[not listed]								A	1907-03	1929-06	Sold for Scrap
8990	[not listed]								A	1907-03	1928-05	Sold for Scrap
8991	[not listed]								[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8992	[not listed]								[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8993	1	2	5	1924-12-09	Destroyed			car number suffixed with "H"??	[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8994	[not listed]								[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8995	[not listed]								A	1907-03	1929-02	Sold for Scrap
8996	[not listed]								A	1907-03	1929-08	Sold for Scrap
8997	1	2	5	1924-11-25	Destroyed			car number suffixed with "H"??	[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8998	[not listed]								[not listed in "A", presumed retired before list created]
8999	[not listed]								A	1907-03	1928-08	Sold for Scrap

Car Disposition Records

Source(s)
ID	Box	Folder	Folder name	Link Title	Approx. Start date	Approx. End date
A	1	3	Freight Car List Old	8900 series "Hart" gondolas	1926?	1929?

ICC Valuation Data (circa 1914)

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

"Owning" RR	Car # / Range	Val Sheet #	Index on Page	Car Type	Built Date	Builder	Capy	Underframe	Body	Notes
B&M	8900-8934	BM-20	24	Ballast	1907	Rodger B.C. Co.	80	wood	wood
B&M	8937-8958	BM-20	25	Ballast	1907	Rodger B.C. Co.	80	wood	wood
B&M	8960-8970	BM-20	26	Ballast	1907	Rodger B.C. Co.	80	wood	wood
B&M	8972-8999	BM-20	27	Ballast	1907	Rodger B.C. Co.	80	wood	wood

Paint Schemes

References or other data

• Magazine/Book article(s)

Photographs

Page	Car #	Photo Date yr-mo-day		Visible?				Markings									Paint Scheme	Herald	Notes
AC&F photo, From Westerfield Models "AC&F Photos and Data Disk" DVD
4674.jpg	8924	1907-ish		X	A		p	S1&	R	R	N	original	none	End looks to be in "hopper" configuration?

Renumberings/Conversions/Dispositions

Models

Revision History

File History for THIS page

Date	Who	Description
25-Dec-2019	KG Akerboom	Initial release
20-Mar-2020	KG Akerboom	Added data from 19 more ORERs
04-Apr-2020	KG Akerboom	Re-did references/photos section
05-May-2020	KG Akerboom	Moved ORER notes into separate section
09-May-2020	KG Akerboom	Added 1942 class cards
11-May-2020	KG Akerboom	Updated class card table
14-May-2020	KG Akerboom	Added data from 4 more ORERs (1911,1919,1921,1931)
28-May-2020	KG Akerboom	updated 10/1919
16-Jun-2020	KG Akerboom	Added lot number from Ed Hawkins info
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)
17-Oct-2020	KG Akerboom	Added Car Book Data
17-Nov-2020	KG Akerboom	Standardized formatting of Classification Card(s) section
20-Nov-2020	KG Akerboom	Updated 1942 Classification Card(s)
25-Nov-2020	KG Akerboom	Added 1955 Classification Card
19-Jan-2021	KG Akerboom	Added Builder's photo and info from Westerfield DVD
28-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
04-Jul-2021	KG Akerboom	Reorganized Car Book and/or Car Disposition Data (Car # to 1st column, 2nd/other changes to new rows)
17-Sep-2021	KG Akerboom	Added car disposition record data
16-Oct-2021	KG Akerboom	Added remaining 7/1928 - 10/1947 ORERs
22-Jan-2022	KG Akerboom	Added ICC Valuation data
24-Apr-2022	KG Akerboom	Added Patent PDF & link
14-Oct-2022	KG Akerboom	Updated per [almost] complete ORER data
04-Jan-2023	KG Akerboom	Fixed headers and footers...hopefully
25-Feb-2023	KG Akerboom	Fixed link to scanned data (car books)