Boston & Maine 7400 Series 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

ORER data and numbers

ORER Size Data
Description 7/1962
AAR Mechanical Designation HT
Inside
Dimensions Length 40'-5"
Width 10'
Height
Outside
Dimensions Length 41'-5"
Width At Eaves or top of sides or platform 10'-2"
Extreme Width 10'-2"
Height
from
Rail To Extreme Width 10'-8"
To Eaves or top of sides or platform 10'-8"
To Top of Running Board
To Extreme Height 10'-8"
Door - Side
opening Width
Height
Capacity Cu Ft. Level Full 2755
Pounds 140000

ORER History
ORER Date
(Year-Mo.) Car
Numbers # of
Cars Description
1962 - 07 7400-7415 15 Hopper, All Steel
1962 - 10 (same)
1963 - 01 (same)
1963 - 04 7400-7414 " "
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 " 7 "
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 " " Hopper, Steel
1974 - 01 (same)
1974 - 04 (same)
1974 - 07 (same)
1974 - 10 " 2 "
1975 - 01 (same)
1975 - 04 " 1 "
1975 - 07 (same)
1975 - 10 (same)
1976 - 01 (same)
1976 - 04 (same)
1976 - 07 (same)
1976 - 10 (same)
1977 - 01 (same)
1977 - 04 (same)
1977 - 07 (same)
1977 - 10 (same)
1978 - 01 (same)
1978 - 04 Not listed

ORER Size Data
Description	7/1962
AAR Mechanical Designation	HT
Inside Dimensions	Length	40'-5"
Width	10'
Height
Outside Dimensions	Length	41'-5"
Width	At Eaves or top of sides or platform	10'-2"
Extreme Width	10'-2"
Height from Rail	To Extreme Width	10'-8"
To Eaves or top of sides or platform	10'-8"
To Top of Running Board
To Extreme Height	10'-8"
Door - Side opening	Width
Height
Capacity	Cu Ft. Level Full	2755
Pounds	140000

ORER History
ORER Date (Year-Mo.)	Car Numbers	# of Cars	Description
1962 - 07	7400-7415	15	Hopper, All Steel
1962 - 10	(same)
1963 - 01	(same)
1963 - 04	7400-7414	"	"
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	"	7	"
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	"	"	Hopper, Steel
1974 - 01	(same)
1974 - 04	(same)
1974 - 07	(same)
1974 - 10	"	2	"
1975 - 01	(same)
1975 - 04	"	1	"
1975 - 07	(same)
1975 - 10	(same)
1976 - 01	(same)
1976 - 04	(same)
1976 - 07	(same)
1976 - 10	(same)
1977 - 01	(same)
1977 - 04	(same)
1977 - 07	(same)
1977 - 10	(same)
1978 - 01	(same)
1978 - 04	Not listed

ORER Notes

Discussion, General Notes

It has been stated that the 7400 series hoppers were ex-B&M 8000 series hoppers.
I do not believe this is true, for 3 reasons:

Note the tapered panels at each end of the car side do NOT follow the original B&M design - they follow what other railroads received (See the 8000 hopper car page: car details - detail #7 - dimension "A" is noticably longer). (
These panels might have been changed during the refurbishment/re-numbering, and while it is *possible* that USRE used existing stamping dies from refurbishing other railroad's cars, I'm *guessing* "not". Note if these panels change, the slope sheet would also change...
The top bulb angle has a "reinforcement angle" (See the 8000 hopper car page: see car details #8) added. [guessing...] This is NOT likely an addition during rebuild.
The Evans data in the next item

from Neubauer, Eric.Evans Products Company Freight Car Roster Notes
In the US Railway Equipment Co. records, B&M 7400-7414 was USRE lot # 335 (dated 1962).
They are listed as being ex-MP (Missouri Pacific) cars built 7-1930 (2755 cu. ft., 40'-5" IL), which would place them in the car series MP 55500-56499.

Car Book and/or Car Disposition Data

None

Paint Schemes

As delivered
All black, Intertwined white (?and blue?) "BM" herald toward right end of car side.

References or other data

Assuming the MP source info is correct, more info and photos of the MP cars can be found in:
Hawkins, Ed D. "ARA Standard 70-ton Quadruple Hopper Cars" Railway Prototype Cyclopedia #5 RP CYC Publishing Co., 2000, pp78-93
Article on these cars, including MP 55500 series cars (has 2 photos of this series MP cars)
Railway Prototype Cyclopedia #14 (2006, pp 99-105) has an addendum to the above article, including roster, and includes one additional MP photo.

Photographs

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

Don Clerke inserts into B&MRRHS Bulletin
i 9 photo 16 7414 X BM G G N black large intertwined BM Note 2nd B&M hopper (2 bay?) to its right
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 7411 7411 1971-12-09 Y X p BM G G N N N N N N as rebuilt as rebuilt loaded with ?wood chips?
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
HT 7409 7409 (also 7400) 1962-09 Y X B BM G G N N N N N N as rebuilt as rebuilt note part of 7400 to the right
Canadian Freight Railcar Gallery (as of 29-Aug-2020)
"American Railroads" → "Boston & Maine"
Then scroll down to find the photo.
BM 7409 1962-09 Y X BM G G N N N N N N as rebuilt as rebuilt note part of 7400 to the right
(Same as "Fallen Flags" photo above?)
Niagara Rails (as of 30-Aug-2020)
Rosters → Railcars → Expand "B" (menu on left) → BM
Then scroll to find the photo. (mostly seem to be poorer quality images of equivalent "Canadian Freight Railcar Gallery" photos)
7409 Y X BM G G N N N N N N as rebuilt as rebuilt (same photo as above?)

For photos when on the MP (at least a few - there's probably a gazillion MP photos in other publications and/or on the web) - see RPCyc #5 and #14 (see "References" section above)

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

*Don Clerke inserts into B&MRRHS Bulletin*
i 9 photo 16	7414			X		BM	G	G	N						black	large intertwined BM	Note 2nd B&M hopper (2 bay?) to its right
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 7411	7411	1971-12-09	Y	X	p	BM	G	G	N	N	N	N	N	N	as rebuilt	as rebuilt	loaded with ?wood chips?
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
HT 7409	7409 (also 7400)	1962-09	Y	X	B	BM	G	G	N	N	N	N	N	N	as rebuilt	as rebuilt	note part of 7400 to the right
Canadian Freight Railcar Gallery (as of 29-Aug-2020) "American Railroads" → "Boston & Maine" Then scroll down to find the photo.
	BM 7409	1962-09	Y	X		BM	G	G	N	N	N	N	N	N	as rebuilt	as rebuilt	note part of 7400 to the right (Same as "Fallen Flags" photo above?)
Niagara Rails (as of 30-Aug-2020) Rosters → Railcars → Expand "B" (menu on left) → BM Then scroll to find the photo. (mostly seem to be poorer quality images of equivalent "Canadian Freight Railcar Gallery" photos)
	7409		Y	X		BM	G	G	N	N	N	N	N	N	as rebuilt	as rebuilt	(same photo as above?)

Renumberings/Conversions/Dispositions

Models

Scale Manufacturer Stock number Car number Paint scheme Notes
HO Broadway Limited (BLI) 2774 (4-pack "A") 8228 + others MM https://www.broadway-limited.com/ara70-ton4-bayhoppercars.aspx
Produced ca. 2014
Probably a MUCH better starting point than the Athearn cars, as the rib/plate overlaps match better,
Also the trucks match the B&M cars better (3 visible springs)
Note it has the top "angle" (#8 in list on 8000 series page).
HO Broadway Limited (BLI) 2775 (4-pack "B") ? MM
N Broadway Limited (BLI) 3189 (6-pack "A") 8010, 8108, 8228, others MM
N Broadway Limited (BLI) 3190 (6-pack "B") ? MM

Scale	Manufacturer	Stock number	Car number	Paint scheme	Notes
HO	Broadway Limited (BLI)	2774 (4-pack "A")	8228 + others	MM	https://www.broadway-limited.com/ara70-ton4-bayhoppercars.aspx Produced ca. 2014 Probably a MUCH better starting point than the Athearn cars, as the rib/plate overlaps match better, Also the trucks match the B&M cars better (3 visible springs) Note it has the top "angle" (#8 in list on 8000 series page).
HO	Broadway Limited (BLI)	2775 (4-pack "B")	?	MM
N	Broadway Limited (BLI)	3189 (6-pack "A")	8010, 8108, 8228, others	MM
N	Broadway Limited (BLI)	3190 (6-pack "B")	?	MM

Revision History

File History for THIS page
Date Who Description
10-Dec-2020 KG Akerboom Initial release
15-Mar-2021 KG Akerboom Added RPCyc reference / photos of MP cars
23-Sep-2021 KG Akerboom Added BLI models
30-Oct-2022 KG Akerboom Updated per [almost] complete ORER data
04-Jan-2023 KG Akerboom Fixed headers and footers...hopefully

File History for THIS page
Date	Who	Description
10-Dec-2020	KG Akerboom	Initial release
15-Mar-2021	KG Akerboom	Added RPCyc reference / photos of MP cars
23-Sep-2021	KG Akerboom	Added BLI models
30-Oct-2022	KG Akerboom	Updated per [almost] complete ORER data
04-Jan-2023	KG Akerboom	Fixed headers and footers...hopefully

Return to Top of Page