Boston & Maine 5550 Series Covered Hopper Cars

Index

Builder's Photo
Classification Card(s) for series
Specifications
ORER data
ORER Notes
Discussion, General Notes
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 Eric Neubauer Data

From Neubauer, Eric.Evans Products Company Freight Car Roster Notes , unless otherwise noted

Spec Value
Builder ACF
Lot # ? Build
US Railway Equipment Co lot # 257 for lease to B&M
Car Numbers 5550-5563
Quantity 14
Build Date 1939 (L&NE) B&MRRHS Modelers Notes #39
1948 [Northern New England Color Guide]
AAR class LO
Lt Weight
Description
Cubic Cap'y 1790 Cu. Ft.

Pending further info...[from Ed Hawkins]
The L&NE had several orders of covered hoppers from AC&F which *could* have become these B&M cars.
Note the B&M cars COULD have come from more than 1 series of L&NE cars...
All L&NE cars had 10 roof hatches except lot 3315 which had 8.
Possible original (L&NE) lot numbers:

AC&F Lot # L&NE Car #s Build Date
1716 12101-12175 1937
1825 12176-12225 8/1938
1906 12226-12275 7/1939
1965 12276-12350 4/1940
2244 12351-12465 7/1941
2333 12466-12565 1942
3315 12566-12665 7/1948 (Big Four Graphics photo of in-service B&M 5554 has this build date)

Spec	Value
Builder	ACF
Lot #	? Build US Railway Equipment Co lot # 257 for lease to B&M
Car Numbers	5550-5563
Quantity	14
Build Date	1939 (L&NE) B&MRRHS Modelers Notes #39 1948 [Northern New England Color Guide]
AAR class	LO
Lt Weight
Description
Cubic Cap'y	1790 Cu. Ft.

AC&F Lot #	L&NE Car #s	Build Date
1716	12101-12175	1937
1825	12176-12225	8/1938
1906	12226-12275	7/1939
1965	12276-12350	4/1940
2244	12351-12465	7/1941
2333	12466-12565	1942
3315	12566-12665	7/1948 (Big Four Graphics photo of in-service B&M 5554 has this build date)

ORER data and numbers

ORER Size Data
Description 1/1961 10/1966
AAR Mechanical Designation LO LO
Inside
Dimensions Length 26'-3" 26'-3"
Width 9'-8" 9'-8"
Height
Outside
Dimensions Length 32'-4" 32'-4"
Width At Eaves or top of sides or platform 9'-2" 9'-2"
Extreme Width 10'-4" 10'-4"
Height
from
Rail To Extreme Width 3'-3" 3'-3"
To Eaves or top of sides or platform 12'-1" 12'-1"
To Top of Running Board 12'-11"
To Extreme Height 13' 13'
Door - Side
opening Width
Height
Capacity Cu Ft. Level Full 1790 1790
Pounds 140000 140000

ORER History
ORER Date
(Year-Mo.) Car
Numbers # of
Cars Description
1961 - 01 5550-5563 14 Covered Hopper, Steel, Note G
1961 - 04 (same)
1961 - 07 (same)
1961 - 10 (same)
1962 - 01 (same)
1962 - 04 (same)
1962 - 07 (same)
1962 - 10 (same)
1963 - 01 (same)
1963 - 04 (same)
1963 - 07 (same)
1963 - 10 (same)
1964 - 01 (same)
1964 - 04 (same)
1964 - 07 (same)
1964 - 10 (same)
1965 - 01 (same)
1965 - 04 (same)
1965 - 07 (same)
1965 - 10 (same)
1966 - 01 (same)
1966 - 04 (same)
1966 - 07 (same)
1966 - 10 (same)
1967 - 01 (same)
1967 - 04 (same)
1967 - 07 (same)
1967 - 10 (same)
1968 - 01 (same)
1968 - 04 (same)
1968 - 07 (same)
1968 - 10 (same)
1969 - 01 (same)
1969 - 04 (same)
1969 - 07 (same)
1969 - 10 (same)
1970 - 01 (same)
1970 - 04 (same)
1970 - 07 (same)
1970 - 10 (same)
1971 - 01 (same)
1971 - 04 (same)
1971 - 07 (same)
1971 - 10 (same)
1972 - 01 (same)
1972 - 04 (same)
1972 - 07 (same)
1972 - 10 (same)
1973 - 01 (same)
1973 - 04 (same)
1973 - 07 (same)
1973 - 11 5550-5561 12 Covered Hopper, Steel, Special Interior lining & Hopper Covers, (Sugar only)
5562-5563 2 Covered Hopper, Steel
1974 - 01 (same) (both rows)
1974 - 04 (same) (both rows)
1974 - 07 (same) (both rows)
1974 - 10 (same) (both rows)
1975 - 01 (same) (both rows)
1975 - 04 (same) (both rows)
1975 - 07 (same) (both rows)
1975 - 10 (same) (both rows)
1976 - 01 5550-5561 11 Covered Hopper, Steel, Special Interior lining & Hopper Covers, (Sugar only)
5562-5563 2 Covered Hopper, Steel
1976 - 04 (same) (both rows)
1976 - 07 5550-5561 7 Covered Hopper, Steel, Special Interior lining & Hopper Covers, (Sugar only)
5562-5563 2 Covered Hopper, Steel
1976 - 10 (same) (both rows)
1977 - 01 (same) (both rows)
1977 - 04 (same) (both rows)
1977 - 07 (same) (both rows)
1977 - 10 (same) (both rows)
1978 - 01 (same) (both rows)
1978 - 04 5550-5561 5 Covered Hopper, Steel, Special Interior lining & Hopper Covers, (Sugar only)
5562-5563 2 Covered Hopper, Steel
1978 - 07 (same) (both rows)
1978 - 10 (same) (both rows)
1979 - 01 5550-5561 4 Covered Hopper, Steel, Special Interior lining & Hopper Covers, (Sugar only)
5562-5563 2 Covered Hopper, Steel
1979 - 04 (same) (both rows)
1979 - 07 (same) (both rows)
1979 - 10 5550-5561 2 Covered Hopper, Steel, Special Interior lining & Hopper Covers, (Sugar only)
5562-5563 2 Covered Hopper, Steel
1980 - 01 (same) (both rows)
1980 - 04 (same) (both rows)
1980 - 07 5550-5561 3 Covered Hopper, Steel, Special Interior lining & Hopper Covers, (Sugar only)
5562-5563 2 Covered Hopper, Steel
1980 - 10 5562 1 Covered Hopper, Steel
1981 - 01 Not listed

ORER Size Data
Description	1/1961	10/1966
AAR Mechanical Designation	LO	LO
Inside Dimensions	Length	26'-3"	26'-3"
Width	9'-8"	9'-8"
Height
Outside Dimensions	Length	32'-4"	32'-4"
Width	At Eaves or top of sides or platform	9'-2"	9'-2"
Extreme Width	10'-4"	10'-4"
Height from Rail	To Extreme Width	3'-3"	3'-3"
To Eaves or top of sides or platform	12'-1"	12'-1"
To Top of Running Board	12'-11"
To Extreme Height	13'	13'
Door - Side opening	Width
Height
Capacity	Cu Ft. Level Full	1790	1790
Pounds	140000	140000

ORER History
ORER Date (Year-Mo.)	Car Numbers	# of Cars	Description
1961 - 01	5550-5563	14	Covered Hopper, Steel, Note G
1961 - 04	(same)
1961 - 07	(same)
1961 - 10	(same)
1962 - 01	(same)
1962 - 04	(same)
1962 - 07	(same)
1962 - 10	(same)
1963 - 01	(same)
1963 - 04	(same)
1963 - 07	(same)
1963 - 10	(same)
1964 - 01	(same)
1964 - 04	(same)
1964 - 07	(same)
1964 - 10	(same)
1965 - 01	(same)
1965 - 04	(same)
1965 - 07	(same)
1965 - 10	(same)
1966 - 01	(same)
1966 - 04	(same)
1966 - 07	(same)
1966 - 10	(same)
1967 - 01	(same)
1967 - 04	(same)
1967 - 07	(same)
1967 - 10	(same)
1968 - 01	(same)
1968 - 04	(same)
1968 - 07	(same)
1968 - 10	(same)
1969 - 01	(same)
1969 - 04	(same)
1969 - 07	(same)
1969 - 10	(same)
1970 - 01	(same)
1970 - 04	(same)
1970 - 07	(same)
1970 - 10	(same)
1971 - 01	(same)
1971 - 04	(same)
1971 - 07	(same)
1971 - 10	(same)
1972 - 01	(same)
1972 - 04	(same)
1972 - 07	(same)
1972 - 10	(same)
1973 - 01	(same)
1973 - 04	(same)
1973 - 07	(same)
1973 - 11	5550-5561	12	Covered Hopper, Steel, Special Interior lining & Hopper Covers, (Sugar only)
5562-5563	2	Covered Hopper, Steel
1974 - 01	(same) (both rows)
1974 - 04	(same) (both rows)
1974 - 07	(same) (both rows)
1974 - 10	(same) (both rows)
1975 - 01	(same) (both rows)
1975 - 04	(same) (both rows)
1975 - 07	(same) (both rows)
1975 - 10	(same) (both rows)
1976 - 01	5550-5561	11	Covered Hopper, Steel, Special Interior lining & Hopper Covers, (Sugar only)
5562-5563	2	Covered Hopper, Steel
1976 - 04	(same) (both rows)
1976 - 07	5550-5561	7	Covered Hopper, Steel, Special Interior lining & Hopper Covers, (Sugar only)
5562-5563	2	Covered Hopper, Steel
1976 - 10	(same) (both rows)
1977 - 01	(same) (both rows)
1977 - 04	(same) (both rows)
1977 - 07	(same) (both rows)
1977 - 10	(same) (both rows)
1978 - 01	(same) (both rows)
1978 - 04	5550-5561	5	Covered Hopper, Steel, Special Interior lining & Hopper Covers, (Sugar only)
5562-5563	2	Covered Hopper, Steel
1978 - 07	(same) (both rows)
1978 - 10	(same) (both rows)
1979 - 01	5550-5561	4	Covered Hopper, Steel, Special Interior lining & Hopper Covers, (Sugar only)
5562-5563	2	Covered Hopper, Steel
1979 - 04	(same) (both rows)
1979 - 07	(same) (both rows)
1979 - 10	5550-5561	2	Covered Hopper, Steel, Special Interior lining & Hopper Covers, (Sugar only)
5562-5563	2	Covered Hopper, Steel
1980 - 01	(same) (both rows)
1980 - 04	(same) (both rows)
1980 - 07	5550-5561	3	Covered Hopper, Steel, Special Interior lining & Hopper Covers, (Sugar only)
5562-5563	2	Covered Hopper, Steel
1980 - 10	5562	1	Covered Hopper, Steel
1981 - 01	Not listed

ORER Notes

Note G (1/1961-7/1973)

Cars numbered [see list below] have special interior lining and hopper covers - for sugar service only

11/1973 - 1/1983

Lining note moved to main table description
[Note 1: Only cars in series 5550-5563 listed in the table below - see other cars series for other cars included in note G]
[Note 2: cars w/special linings last listed in 7/1980, but there were only 3 cars - there is no info on which cars were retired when]

Car No. First listed Last Listing
5550 1/1961 7/1980 [note 2]
5551 1/1961
5552 1/1961
5553 1/1961
5554 1/1961
5555 1/1961
5556 1/1961
5557 1/1961
5558 1/1961
5559 1/1961
5560 10/1964
5561 10/1964

Car No.	First listed	Last Listing
5550	1/1961	7/1980 [note 2]
5551	1/1961
5552	1/1961
5553	1/1961
5554	1/1961
5555	1/1961
5556	1/1961
5557	1/1961
5558	1/1961
5559	1/1961
5560	10/1964
5561	10/1964

Discussion, General Notes

Per Don Clerke
Leased U.S. Railway [Equipment Co.]
for sugar loading, 8 square hatches, small open side [cutout] between the hoppers

per Northern New England Color Guide
Leased from US Railway Equipment
Originally built for L&NE in 1948 by ACF
Per Ryan Werner post in realstmfc.groups.io (27-Apr-2024)
10 hatches
[my speculation] given one photo has lot 3315 build date (8 hatch car) could there have been more than 1 LNE car series included in this B&M series?

Paint Schemes

References or other data

Magazine/Book article(s)

Photographs

Page Car # Photo Date
yr-mo-day Visible? Markings Paint
Scheme Herald Notes

Don Clerke inserts into B&MRRHS Bulletin
i 11 photo 29 5559 X A BM G G AB Y 1? N N N grey none weathered.

Page	Car #	Visible?	Markings	Notes

*Don Clerke inserts into B&MRRHS Bulletin*
i 11 photo 29	5559	X	A	BM	G	G	AB	Y	1?	N	N	N	grey	none	weathered.

Renumberings/Conversions/Dispositions

Models

Revision History

File History for THIS page
Date Who Description
31-Dec-2019 KG Akerboom Initial release
17-Mar-2020 KG Akerboom Standardized Don Clerke "source" link
04-Apr-2020 KG Akerboom Re-did references/photos section
23-Apr-2020 KG Akerboom Updated per B&MRRHS Modeler's Notes #39
05-May-2020 KG Akerboom Moved ORER notes into separate section
07-May-2020 KG Akerboom Reformatted "Special Lining" table
16-Jun-2020 KG Akerboom Added *initial guesses* for lot number(s), 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
19-Aug-2020 KG Akerboom Added more Eric Neubauer data
31-Dec-2020 KG Akerboom Updated misc stuff
28-Oct-2022 KG Akerboom Updated per [almost] complete ORER data
04-Jan-2023 KG Akerboom Fixed headers and footers...hopefully
28-Apr-2024 KG Akerboom Added note about 10 roof hatches from realstmfc.groups.io message

File History for THIS page
Date	Who	Description
31-Dec-2019	KG Akerboom	Initial release
17-Mar-2020	KG Akerboom	Standardized Don Clerke "source" link
04-Apr-2020	KG Akerboom	Re-did references/photos section
23-Apr-2020	KG Akerboom	Updated per B&MRRHS Modeler's Notes #39
05-May-2020	KG Akerboom	Moved ORER notes into separate section
07-May-2020	KG Akerboom	Reformatted "Special Lining" table
16-Jun-2020	KG Akerboom	Added initial guesses for lot number(s), 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
19-Aug-2020	KG Akerboom	Added more Eric Neubauer data
31-Dec-2020	KG Akerboom	Updated misc stuff
28-Oct-2022	KG Akerboom	Updated per [almost] complete ORER data
04-Jan-2023	KG Akerboom	Fixed headers and footers...hopefully
28-Apr-2024	KG Akerboom	Added note about 10 roof hatches from realstmfc.groups.io message

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