Boston & Maine 5800 and 5810 Series Covered Hopper 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
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 and other sources

Additional data from Railway Prototype Cyclopedia #20, pp 86-113

Spec Misc Sources RP Cyc #20
Builder General American
[GATX/Airslide (B&MRRHS Modelers Notes No 18.)] General American
Lot # 8099???
Car Numbers GACX 43082-43086
Quantity 5
Build Date 1957 (for GACX)
(1957 and 1960, per B&MRRHS Modeler's Notes #39)
Renumbered B&M 5800-5814 1975 6/1957
AAR class LO
Lt Weight (average)
Description Single-bay Airslide
Cubic Cap'y Cu. Ft. 2,600 Cu. Ft.
Ends
Doors
End Ladders Straight (NOT flared at bottom) (table, p102)
Side Ladders On left end of car - drop grabs (not straight)
Side Posts Crimped Bottom (table, p102)
Roping Staples None (table, p102)
Routing Boards on side sill extension (table, p102)
Running Boards Apex Tri-Lock (table, p102)
Brake Step Apex Tri-Lock (table, p102)
Trucks Barber S-2 70-ton
Hand Brake Miner

B&MRRHS Modelers Notes #50 (Sep-Oct 1997) indicates that GATC[?] 43082-43086 were built 1957, and leased to the B&M. Reporting marks changed to B&M 5800-5804 in 1975
5 more cars were built in 1960, GA[TC or CX?] 44631-44636, and leased to the B&M. Reporting marks changed to B&M 5810-5814 in 1975

Spec	Misc Sources	RP Cyc #20
Builder	General American [GATX/Airslide (B&MRRHS Modelers Notes No 18.)]	General American
Lot #		8099???
Car Numbers		GACX 43082-43086
Quantity		5
Build Date	1957 (for GACX) (1957 and 1960, per B&MRRHS Modeler's Notes #39) Renumbered B&M 5800-5814 1975	6/1957
AAR class		LO
Lt Weight	(average)
Description		Single-bay Airslide
Cubic Cap'y	Cu. Ft.	2,600 Cu. Ft.
Ends
Doors
End Ladders		Straight (NOT flared at bottom) (table, p102)
Side Ladders		On left end of car - drop grabs (not straight)
Side Posts		Crimped Bottom (table, p102)
Roping Staples		None (table, p102)
Routing Boards		on side sill extension (table, p102)
Running Boards		Apex Tri-Lock (table, p102)
Brake Step		Apex Tri-Lock (table, p102)
Trucks		Barber S-2 70-ton
Hand Brake		Miner

ORER data and numbers

ORER Size Data
Description 1/1975 7/1989
AAR Mechanical Designation LO LO
Inside
Dimensions Length 29'-6"
Width 9'-11"
Height
Outside
Dimensions Length 42'-1" 42'-1"
Width At Eaves or top of sides or platform 10'-2" 10'-2"
Extreme Width 10'-8" 10'-8"
Height
from
Rail To Extreme Width 13'-6" 13'-6"
To Eaves or top of sides or platform 13'-11" 13'-11"
To Top of Running Board
To Extreme Height 14'-6" 14'-6"
Door - Side
opening Width
Height
Capacity Cu Ft. Level Full 2600 2600
Pounds 154000 154000

ORER History
ORER Date
(Year-Mo.) Car
Numbers # of
Cars Description
1957-1975 GACX* Owned by GA, but leased to B&M
1975 - 01 5800-5804 5 Covered Hopper, Airslide, Note 1
5810-5814 5
1975 - 04 (same) (both rows)
1975 - 07 (same) (both rows)
1975 - 10 (same) (both rows)
1976 - 01 (same) (both rows)
1976 - 04 (same) (both rows)
1976 - 07 (same) (both rows)
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 (same) (both rows)
1978 - 07 (same) (both rows)
1978 - 10 (same) (both rows)
1979 - 01 (same) (both rows)
1979 - 04 (same) (both rows)
1979 - 07 5800-5804 4 Covered Hopper, Airslide, Note 1
5810-5814 5
1979 - 10 (same) (both rows)
1980 - 01 (same) (both rows)
1980 - 04 (same) (both rows)
1980 - 07 (same) (both rows)
1980 - 10 (same) (both rows)
1981 - 01 5800-5804 4 Covered Hopper, Airslide
5810-5814 4
1981 - 04 (same) (both rows)
1981 - 07 (same) (both rows)
1981 - 10 (same) (both rows)
1982 - 01 (same) (both rows)
1982 - 04 (same) (both rows)
1982 - 07 (same) (both rows)
1982 - 10 (same) (both rows)
1983 - 01 5802-5804 2 Covered Hopper, Airslide
5811-5814 2
1983 - 05 5802-5814 4 "
1983 - 07 (same)
1983 - 10 " 3 "
1984 - 01 (same)
1984 - 04 (same)
1984 - 07 (same)
1984 - 10 (same)
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 (same)
1989 - 04 (same)
1989 - 07 (same)
1989 - 10 (same)
1990 - 01 (same)
1990 - 04 (same)
1990 - 07 (same)
1990 - 10 (same)
1991 - 01 (same)
1991 - 04 (same)
1991 - 07 (same)
1991 - 10 (same)
1992 - 01 (same)
1992 - 04 " 1 "
1992 - 07 (same)
1992 - 10 (same)
1993 - 01 (same)
1993 - 04 Not listed

ORER Size Data
Description	1/1975	7/1989
AAR Mechanical Designation	LO	LO
Inside Dimensions	Length	29'-6"
Width	9'-11"
Height
Outside Dimensions	Length	42'-1"	42'-1"
Width	At Eaves or top of sides or platform	10'-2"	10'-2"
Extreme Width	10'-8"	10'-8"
Height from Rail	To Extreme Width	13'-6"	13'-6"
To Eaves or top of sides or platform	13'-11"	13'-11"
To Top of Running Board
To Extreme Height	14'-6"	14'-6"
Door - Side opening	Width
Height
Capacity	Cu Ft. Level Full	2600	2600
Pounds	154000	154000

ORER History
ORER Date (Year-Mo.)	Car Numbers	# of Cars	Description
1957-1975	GACX*		Owned by GA, but leased to B&M
1975 - 01	5800-5804	5	Covered Hopper, Airslide, Note 1
5810-5814	5
1975 - 04	(same) (both rows)
1975 - 07	(same) (both rows)
1975 - 10	(same) (both rows)
1976 - 01	(same) (both rows)
1976 - 04	(same) (both rows)
1976 - 07	(same) (both rows)
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	(same) (both rows)
1978 - 07	(same) (both rows)
1978 - 10	(same) (both rows)
1979 - 01	(same) (both rows)
1979 - 04	(same) (both rows)
1979 - 07	5800-5804	4	Covered Hopper, Airslide, Note 1
5810-5814	5
1979 - 10	(same) (both rows)
1980 - 01	(same) (both rows)
1980 - 04	(same) (both rows)
1980 - 07	(same) (both rows)
1980 - 10	(same) (both rows)
1981 - 01	5800-5804	4	Covered Hopper, Airslide
5810-5814	4
1981 - 04	(same) (both rows)
1981 - 07	(same) (both rows)
1981 - 10	(same) (both rows)
1982 - 01	(same) (both rows)
1982 - 04	(same) (both rows)
1982 - 07	(same) (both rows)
1982 - 10	(same) (both rows)
1983 - 01	5802-5804	2	Covered Hopper, Airslide
5811-5814	2
1983 - 05	5802-5814	4	"
1983 - 07	(same)
1983 - 10	"	3	"
1984 - 01	(same)
1984 - 04	(same)
1984 - 07	(same)
1984 - 10	(same)
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	(same)
1989 - 04	(same)
1989 - 07	(same)
1989 - 10	(same)
1990 - 01	(same)
1990 - 04	(same)
1990 - 07	(same)
1990 - 10	(same)
1991 - 01	(same)
1991 - 04	(same)
1991 - 07	(same)
1991 - 10	(same)
1992 - 01	(same)
1992 - 04	"	1	"
1992 - 07	(same)
1992 - 10	(same)
1993 - 01	(same)
1993 - 04	Not listed

ORER Notes

Note 1 (1/1975-10/1980)

Cars are owned by General American Transportation Corporation. Reports of cars damaged or destroyed, bills for repairs or requests for materials needed for repairs should be sent to General American Transportation Corporation representative as listed in The Official Railway Equipment Register

Discussion, General Notes

Per Don Clerke
Airslide, Built by General American

per Northern New England Color Guide:
Originally built as GACX 42908-43110 in 1957, 15 leased to the B&M for wheat service.
Later renumbered 5800-5814.
Per NEB&W Guide IV
Also B&MRRHS Modelers Notes #37
In 1957, General American built themselves from Airslides series, and leased 5 (GATX 43082-43086) to the B&M. In 1960, another 5 Airslides built that year (GATX 44631-44635) were also leased to the B&M. In 1975, they were relettered to B&M 5800-5804 and 5810-5814 [respectively].

per B&MRRHS Modelers Notes No 37
Same as MN#39, but GATC reporting marks
All 10 cars had B&M logos, but reporting marks were not changed to BM until 1975, when they were also renumbered

Per Eric Neubauer - A History of the General American Airslide and Other Covered Hopper Cars
B&M 5800-5804: ex GACX 43086 (and others), transferred 11-1977, built 5- or 6-1957. Phase "RCR", except older ladder side rail, hand hold
B&M 5810-5814: ex GACX 44631 (and others) [built as series 44631-44635], transferred 11-1977, built 8-1960. Phase "RCR"
Per Milwaukee Road freight cars and freight cars of other railroads assigned to pools serving online customers on August 2, 1979.
Cars assigned as follows:

Car Number(s) Type Pool Station State Assigned to NTL Pool
BM 5802 98 161 Muscatine IA Grain Proces 01402324
BM 5804 98 161 Muscatine IA Grain Proces 01402324
BM 5811 98 161 Muscatine IA Grain Proces 01402324

Car Number(s)	Type	Pool	Station	State	Assigned to	NTL Pool
BM 5802	98	161	Muscatine	IA	Grain Proces	01402324
BM 5804	98	161	Muscatine	IA	Grain Proces	01402324
BM 5811	98	161	Muscatine	IA	Grain Proces	01402324

Car Book and/or Car Disposition Data

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 Number(s) Vol Part Page Date Action Location New # Notes
GACX 43082-43086 4 7 4R 1957-07 Leased from General American Transportation Corp

Car Number(s)	Vol	Part	Page	Date	Action	Location	New #	Notes
GACX 43082-43086	4	7	4R	1957-07	Leased			from General American Transportation Corp

Paint Schemes

As delivered (from RP Cyc #20, generic painting info)
Grey, mostly black lettering. Black underbody and Trucks. Roof - Carlines & panels painted with black car cement, covered w/ grey granules
Hatch covers unpainted aluminum, with black locking handles.
"CAUTION ALWAYS OPEN COMPARTMENT BEFORE UNLOADING CAR" instructions in red
"Airslide" logo above car number. Large "B" and "M" in separate panels. Panel in-between had the word "and" in smaller, slanted lettering.
per NEB&W Guide IV, this may not have been used on all cars.
later
grey, black lettering, no herald. has word "AIRSLIDE" above car number

References or other data

Hawkins, Ed. "2,600 Cu. Ft. Airslide Covered Hopper Cars (1954-1959), Part 2 - Original Railroad-Leased Cars", Railway Prototype Cyclopedia #20 2018, pp 86-113
(Note I don't have parts 1 [RP Cyc #17] or later parts, if any)
Extensive history of these cars, table of cars built (including B&M leased cars), many photos (but no B&M cars pictured), a couple class diagrams from other railroads.
Eric Neubauer - A History of the General American Airslide and Other Covered Hopper Cars

Photographs

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

Northern New England Color Guide
p32 GACX 43086, 43082 1961-01 Y X A GACX G G N N N N N N grey large "B and M" "Airslide" logo above car number.
Don Clerke inserts into B&MRRHS Bulletin
i 12 photo 34 5811 X BM G G N Y 2V N N N grey none
i 12 photo 35 5813 X BM R R N Y 2H N N N grey large "B and M"
Houghton's RailImages On-line photos
Pay site
If direct link doesn't work, go to top level → "Boston & Maine Railroad" album, scroll thru
BM-356.jpg 5814 Y X B BM R R N Y 2V Y N N original large "B and M"
B&M RR Magazine Sep-Oct, 1955 (vol 23 No. 5)
p8 GACX 42031 1955? X A GACX G G N N N N N N GACX none fuzzy print.
May be same class of GACX car, but not one of the actual B&M cars
ICG Decals (D Kohlberg) (as of 09-Jul-2020)
B&M 5804 1984-02-26 Y X BM R R N Y 2V I N N original large "B and M"
B&MRRHS Facebook
B&M 5814 late 1980s Y X p BM R R N Y 2V Y N N original large "B and M"
B&MRRHS Flickr (as of 18-Aug-2023)
Above is direct link. If it doesn't work, try: Select "Albums" → "Cars-- Freight", then scroll thru
5810 1976-08-26 Y X BM R R N Y N N N N black large "B and M" Reporting marks painted over (?from GAT[X/C?] reporting marks?)
Note "repacked" paint-over. Small "Airslide®" above reporting marks
Otherwise mostly original lettering?, including reweigh "DE 5.62" (14 years!?)

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

*Northern New England Color Guide*
p32	GACX 43086, 43082	1961-01	Y	X	A	GACX	G	G	N	N	N	N	N	N	grey	large "B and M"	"Airslide" logo above car number.
*Don Clerke inserts into B&MRRHS Bulletin*
i 12 photo 34	5811			X		BM	G	G	N	Y	2V	N	N	N	grey	none
i 12 photo 35	5813			X		BM	R	R	N	Y	2H	N	N	N	grey	large "B and M"
Houghton's RailImages On-line photos Pay site If direct link doesn't work, go to top level → "Boston & Maine Railroad" album, scroll thru
BM-356.jpg	5814		Y	X	B	BM	R	R	N	Y	2V	Y	N	N	original	large "B and M"
*B&M RR Magazine* Sep-Oct, 1955 (vol 23 No. 5)
p8	GACX 42031	1955?		X	A	GACX	G	G	N	N	N	N	N	N	GACX	none	fuzzy print. May be same class of GACX car, but not one of the actual B&M cars
ICG Decals (D Kohlberg) (as of 09-Jul-2020)
	B&M 5804	1984-02-26	Y	X		BM	R	R	N	Y	2V	I	N	N	original	large "B and M"
B&MRRHS Facebook
	B&M 5814	late 1980s	Y	X	p	BM	R	R	N	Y	2V	Y	N	N	original	large "B and M"
B&MRRHS Flickr (as of 18-Aug-2023) Above is direct link. If it doesn't work, try: Select "Albums" → "Cars-- Freight", then scroll thru
	5810	1976-08-26	Y	X		BM	R	R	N	Y	N	N	N	N	black	large "B and M"	Reporting marks painted over (?from GAT[X/C?] reporting marks?) Note "repacked" paint-over. Small "Airslide®" above reporting marks Otherwise mostly original lettering?, including reweigh "DE 5.62" (14 years!?)

Renumberings/Conversions/Dispositions

Per B&M RR documents, Mike Clements Collection: (PDF pages 3 - 9)
Car 5811 - between May and July, 1983, correspondence indicates this car was scrapped {note some messages are cut off/incomplete]:

May 31 - from Milw RR - Car released from assignment, Muscatine, IA
June 9 - from Milw RR - Car has cracked draft sills A & B ends
June 27 - from GATX - car is being released from your company [i.e. Lease terminated?]
Have car forwarded to Illinois Scrap Process So, Chicago, IL via MILW-Chicago - EJ&E
June 30 - from B&M to Milw - forwarding info for car same as June 27
July 20 - from Milw RR - car has been released from assignment of grain processing at Muscatine, IA

Models

Scale Manufacturer Stock number Car number Paint scheme Notes
HO E&B Valley ? ? ? Produced in the 1980s, I'm not sure if ever factory painted for B&M
B&MRRHS did some custom decorated cars for the B&M
N Athearn ATH234** No B&M I think this model is accurate for these cars
Produced 2015 (or earlier), still announcing new paint schemes in 2020
HO Athearn ATHG876** No B&M I think this model is accurate for these cars
Produced 2015 (or earlier), still announcing new paint schemes in 2020
HO Con-cor [see their web site] No B&M unknown accuracy. But still available on their webs site, Dec, 2020
Atlas has O scale models (2 rail and 3 rail) of these cars (unknown accuracy). None (yet) decorated for B&M, but they do have some painted for Revere Sugar.
Atlas undecs available 2000-2020, latest run may still have some available as of Dec, 2020?
Daniel Kohlberg offers HO scale decals for these cars.
In B&MRRHS Modelers Notes #50 (Sep-Oct 1997), the show Branchline Trains is offering Con-Cor cars decorated for the B&M, but with GACX reporting marks

Scale	Manufacturer	Stock number	Car number	Paint scheme	Notes
HO	E&B Valley	?	?	?	Produced in the 1980s, I'm not sure if ever factory painted for B&M B&MRRHS did some custom decorated cars for the B&M
N	Athearn	ATH234**		No B&M	I think this model is accurate for these cars Produced 2015 (or earlier), still announcing new paint schemes in 2020
HO	Athearn	ATHG876**		No B&M	I think this model is accurate for these cars Produced 2015 (or earlier), still announcing new paint schemes in 2020
HO	Con-cor	[see their web site]		No B&M	unknown accuracy. But still available on their webs site, Dec, 2020

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
29-Mar-2020 KG Akerboom Added data from 19 more ORERs
04-Apr-2020 KG Akerboom Re-did references/photos section
23-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
30-May-2020 KG Akerboom Added B&M RR [Employees] Magazine photos
25-Jun-2020 KG Akerboom Added info from RP CYC #20
09-Jul-2020 KG Akerboom Added ICG Decals photo
21-Jul-2020 KG Akerboom "Photos" table - changed "vertical" text to PNG of "sideways" text; added "Markings" columns
05-Aug-2020 KG Akerboom Added Eric Neubauer data
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
18-Oct-2020 KG Akerboom Added Car Book Data
12-Dec-2020 KG Akerboom Added model info
22-Dec-2020 KG Akerboom Added Con-Cor model info, icgdecals decals.
28-Dec-2020 KG Akerboom Added Modelers Notes info
13-Mar-2021 KG Akerboom Added B&MRRHS Facebook photos
04-Jul-2021 KG Akerboom Reorganized Car Book and/or Car Disposition Data (Car # to 1st column, 2nd/other changes to new rows)
05-Feb-2022 KG Akerboom Added Mike Clements Collection info
07-Aug-2022 KG Akerboom Added Milwaukee Road pool assignment data
29-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)
18-Aug-2023 KG Akerboom Added Flickr photo of BM 5810

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
29-Mar-2020	KG Akerboom	Added data from 19 more ORERs
04-Apr-2020	KG Akerboom	Re-did references/photos section
23-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
30-May-2020	KG Akerboom	Added B&M RR [Employees] Magazine photos
25-Jun-2020	KG Akerboom	Added info from RP CYC #20
09-Jul-2020	KG Akerboom	Added ICG Decals photo
21-Jul-2020	KG Akerboom	"Photos" table - changed "vertical" text to PNG of "sideways" text; added "Markings" columns
05-Aug-2020	KG Akerboom	Added Eric Neubauer data
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
18-Oct-2020	KG Akerboom	Added Car Book Data
12-Dec-2020	KG Akerboom	Added model info
22-Dec-2020	KG Akerboom	Added Con-Cor model info, icgdecals decals.
28-Dec-2020	KG Akerboom	Added Modelers Notes info
13-Mar-2021	KG Akerboom	Added B&MRRHS Facebook photos
04-Jul-2021	KG Akerboom	Reorganized Car Book and/or Car Disposition Data (Car # to 1st column, 2nd/other changes to new rows)
05-Feb-2022	KG Akerboom	Added Mike Clements Collection info
07-Aug-2022	KG Akerboom	Added Milwaukee Road pool assignment data
29-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)
18-Aug-2023	KG Akerboom	Added Flickr photo of BM 5810

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