Boston & Maine 100 Series Reefer 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 US Railway Equipment Co., Blue Island, IL (builder and lessor)
Lot # 768 (original build) to B&M in lot 986 (1970)
Car Numbers 100-149
Quantity 50
Build Date Sep, Dec 1969 (also Oct 1969?)
~~1970 per B&MRRHS Modelers Notes #18~~
AAR class RBL
Lt Weight 81,800
Description
Cubic Cap'y 5100 Cu. Ft.
Roof
Ends Pullman-Standard
Doors Double (8'+8') centered plug doors (also see B&MRRHS Modelers Notes No 37)
Ladders

Spec	Value
Builder	US Railway Equipment Co., Blue Island, IL (builder and lessor)
Lot #	768 (original build) to B&M in lot 986 (1970)
Car Numbers	100-149
Quantity	50
Build Date	Sep, Dec 1969 (also Oct 1969?) ~~1970 per B&MRRHS Modelers Notes #18~~
AAR class	RBL
Lt Weight	81,800
Description
Cubic Cap'y	5100 Cu. Ft.
Roof
Ends	Pullman-Standard
Doors	Double (8'+8') centered plug doors (also see B&MRRHS Modelers Notes No 37)
Ladders

ORER data and numbers

ORER Size Data
Description 10/1970 10/1972 1/1983 5/1983
AAR Mechanical Designation RBL RBL RBL RBL
Inside
Dimensions Length 52'-5" 52'-5" 52'-5" 52'-5"
Width 9'-4" 9'-4" 9'-4" 9'-4"
Height 10'-5" 10'-5" 10'-5" 10'-5"
Outside
Dimensions Length 60'-3" 60'-3" 60'-3" 60'-3"
Width At Eaves or top of sides or platform 9'-9"
10' 9'-9"
10' 9'-9"
10' 10'
Extreme Width 10'-8" 10'-8" 10'-8" 10'-8"
Height
from
Rail To Extreme Width 14'-2" 14'-2" 14'-2" 14'-2"
To Eaves or top of sides or platform 14'-9"
14'-6" 14'-9"
14'-6" 14'-9"
14'-6" 14'-9"
To Top of Running Board
To Extreme Height 15'-5" 15'-5" 15'-5" 15'-5"
Door - Side
opening Width 16' 16' 16' 16'
Height 9'-10" 9'-10" 9'-10" 9'-10"
Capacity Cu Ft. Level Full 5100 5100 5095 5095
Pounds … 135000 136000 136000

ORER History
ORER Date
(Year-Mo.) Car
Numbers # of
Cars Description
1970 - 10 100-149 50 Insulated Box, Note N
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 " " Refrigerator, Insulated, Dual Air Pak & Hydra-Cushion Underframe,
Considered part of car: 52 fork lift truck pallets [no "Note N"]
1974 - 01 (same)
1974 - 04 (same)
1974 - 07 (same)
1974 - 10 (same)
1975 - 01 (same)
1975 - 04 (same)
1975 - 07 (same)
1975 - 10 105-119 15 "
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 (same)
1978 - 07 (same)
1978 - 10 (same)
1979 - 01 (same)
1979 - 04 (same)
1979 - 07 (same)
1979 - 10 (same)
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 " " Refrigerator, Insulated, Dual Air Pak Bulkheads,
Hydra-Cushion Underframe, Double Plug Doors
1983 - 05 " " Refrigerator, Insulated, Dual Air Pak Bulkheads,
Hydra-Cushion Underframe, Double Plug Doors - "C"
1983 - 07 (same)
1983 - 10 (same)
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 " 10 "
1991 - 04 (same)
1991 - 07 (same)
1991 - 10 (same)
1992 - 01 (same)
1992 - 04 (same)
1992 - 07 (same)
1992 - 10 (same)
1993 - 01 (same)
1993 - 04 Not listed

ORER Size Data
Description	10/1970	10/1972	1/1983	5/1983
AAR Mechanical Designation	RBL	RBL	RBL	RBL
Inside Dimensions	Length	52'-5"	52'-5"	52'-5"	52'-5"
Width	9'-4"	9'-4"	9'-4"	9'-4"
Height	10'-5"	10'-5"	10'-5"	10'-5"
Outside Dimensions	Length	60'-3"	60'-3"	60'-3"	60'-3"
Width	At Eaves or top of sides or platform	9'-9" 10'	9'-9" 10'	9'-9" 10'	10'
Extreme Width	10'-8"	10'-8"	10'-8"	10'-8"
Height from Rail	To Extreme Width	14'-2"	14'-2"	14'-2"	14'-2"
To Eaves or top of sides or platform	14'-9" 14'-6"	14'-9" 14'-6"	14'-9" 14'-6"	14'-9"
To Top of Running Board
To Extreme Height	15'-5"	15'-5"	15'-5"	15'-5"
Door - Side opening	Width	16'	16'	16'	16'
Height	9'-10"	9'-10"	9'-10"	9'-10"
Capacity	Cu Ft. Level Full	5100	5100	5095	5095
Pounds	…	135000	136000	136000

ORER History
ORER Date (Year-Mo.)	Car Numbers	# of Cars	Description
1970 - 10	100-149	50	Insulated Box, Note N
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	"	"	Refrigerator, Insulated, Dual Air Pak & Hydra-Cushion Underframe, Considered part of car: 52 fork lift truck pallets [no "Note N"]
1974 - 01	(same)
1974 - 04	(same)
1974 - 07	(same)
1974 - 10	(same)
1975 - 01	(same)
1975 - 04	(same)
1975 - 07	(same)
1975 - 10	105-119	15	"
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	(same)
1978 - 07	(same)
1978 - 10	(same)
1979 - 01	(same)
1979 - 04	(same)
1979 - 07	(same)
1979 - 10	(same)
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	"	"	Refrigerator, Insulated, Dual Air Pak Bulkheads, Hydra-Cushion Underframe, Double Plug Doors
1983 - 05	"	"	Refrigerator, Insulated, Dual Air Pak Bulkheads, Hydra-Cushion Underframe, Double Plug Doors - "C"
1983 - 07	(same)
1983 - 10	(same)
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	"	10	"
1991 - 04	(same)
1991 - 07	(same)
1991 - 10	(same)
1992 - 01	(same)
1992 - 04	(same)
1992 - 07	(same)
1992 - 10	(same)
1993 - 01	(same)
1993 - 04	Not listed

ORER Notes

ORER Note N (10/1970)

Cars in series 100 to 149 are equipped with Dual Air Pak and Hydra-cushion Underframe

ORER Note N (1/1971 - 7/1973)

Cars in series 100 to 149 are equipped with Dual Air Pak and Hydra-cushion Underframe;
also equipped with 52 fork lift pallets per car which are considered part of the car

"C" (5/1983-end)

Indicates this car is "Plate C" (clearances) car

Discussion, General Notes

Per Don Clerke
Built U.S. Railway [Equipment Co.]

Per Northern New England Color Guide:
In "Bud Beer" service

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

Not built for the B&M. Built for USLX lease fleet.
Possibly ex-USLX 10000-10482?
BM 143 repaired 6-1971
BM 100-104; 120-149 (35 cars) returned 1975.
These were then renumbered as follows:

to USLX 10218-10232(?) (15 cars) in 1976
Leased to Wickes Agricultural in 1-1976
Then to others
to GTW 302063-302074 (12 cars) in 3-1976
to GTW 302075-302082 (8 cars) in 3-1976
then
GTW 302063-302082 to USLX 9983-9999 (17 cars) 10-1987 (M.I. Drilling Fluids)

BM 105-119 to USLX 3029-3043 (15 cars) leased to M.I. Drilling Fluids (in 1987??? - which conflicts with ORER listings!)
For subsequent history of these cars, see Eric's book

in Nimke, R.W. Connecticut River Railroads and Connections Volume VI: Wells River - North p157 - Train JU-1 "Train report" for 1974-01-11:
BM 132 empty for Berlin, NH

Paint Schemes

As delivered
Blue body, doors, ends. Roof "silver" (galvanized). "Dual Air Pak" and "Cushion-pak" logos on side (above/to right of car number) Smaller intertwined "BM" logo in white with black outlining

References or other data

3 articles by James Kinkaid in Mainline Modeler magazine:
- "The Evans 'Blue Island' Reefer - Part 1" (July, 1996, pp 42-47)
  Overview of the reefers. Roster of _new_ "marked for USLX" cars. Drawings.
- "The Evans 'Blue Island' Reefer - Part 2" (Aug., 1996, pp 40-45)
  Covers (primarily) productions issues. Roster of _new_ "not marked for USLX" cars. Drawings.
- "The Evans 'Blue Island' Reefer - Part 3" (Sep., 1996, pp 40-45)
  Covers Georgia Pacific, has roster of _used_ "not marked for USLX" cars. Drawings.
Casdorph, David G. "'Blue Island' Reefers", Freight Car Journal #38 (April, 1991) pp21-22
Nothing B&M specific
Casdorph, David G. "'Blue Island' Reefers, part 2", Freight Car Journal #39 (June, 1991) pp9-10
Nothing B&M specific
REW B&MRRHS Modelers Notes No 19 (Oct, 1990), p2 has an article on upgrading [I think] the Details West kit for this car (or is it for the 150 series?)
Dutka, George. "Weathering a CLassic Kit" B&MRRHS Modelers Notes #170 (Jan-Feb 2020)
2 page article on using the Scale Trains kit

Photographs

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

Northern New England Color Guide
p30 104 1970-09 Y X A BM G G N Y N N N N Original Original dual plug doors
Don Clerke inserts into B&MRRHS Bulletin
i 8 photo 12 106 X A X BM G G N Y? N N N N Original Original Weathered
B&MRRHS Modelers Notes Issue No. included in "page" column
No. 170 p2 117 X BM G G N Y N N N N Original Original
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 113 113 1981-07-11 Y X A? p BM G G N Y 2H Y N N Original Original well weathered.
NMRA Archives (as of 17-Apr-2020)
Select "Photographs" → "Freight Car"
Then in the "Filter by Railroad", select either "BM" or "B&M" (see "page" column)
BM 143 Y X A? BM G G N Y N N N N 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
115 1973-02-24 Y X B BM G G N Y N N N N Original Original Title = "BM 50' Double Plug Door Boxcar, 115 February 24th, 1973 Tampa, FL"
NERail Photo Archive
or http://photos.nerail.org/ → "By Railroad" → "Boston & Maine" →
Then scroll thru to find the photo "Graniteville (Westford), MA".
or try: http://photos.nerail.org/s/?p=245977
127 1975-03-05 X p p BM 2V

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

*Northern New England Color Guide*
p30	104	1970-09	Y	X	A		BM	G	G	N	Y	N	N	N	N	Original	Original	dual plug doors
*Don Clerke inserts into B&MRRHS Bulletin*
i 8 photo 12	106			X	A	X	BM	G	G	N	Y?	N	N	N	N	Original	Original	Weathered
*B&MRRHS Modelers Notes* Issue No. included in "page" column
No. 170 p2	117			X			BM	G	G	N	Y	N	N	N	N	Original	Original
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 113	113	1981-07-11	Y	X	A?	p	BM	G	G	N	Y	2H	Y	N	N	Original	Original	well weathered.
NMRA Archives (as of 17-Apr-2020) Select "Photographs" → "Freight Car" Then in the "Filter by Railroad", select either "BM" or "B&M" (see "page" column)
BM	143		Y	X	A?		BM	G	G	N	Y	N	N	N	N	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
	115	1973-02-24	Y	X	B		BM	G	G	N	Y	N	N	N	N	Original	Original	Title = "BM 50' Double Plug Door Boxcar, 115 February 24th, 1973 Tampa, FL"
NERail Photo Archive or http://photos.nerail.org/ → "By Railroad" → "Boston & Maine" → Then scroll thru to find the photo "Graniteville (Westford), MA". or try: http://photos.nerail.org/s/?p=245977
	127	1975-03-05		X	p	p	BM					2V

Renumberings/Conversions/Dispositions

Models

Accurail has a "50' Double Plug Door Riveted-Side Steel Boxcar" decorated for B&M (stock # 5416, car # 106). This car is of unknown accuracy (beside other issues, it has high ladders, running board, high mount brake wheel) Painting may be OK (depending on date) Still listed as available on their web site, Dec, 2020.

Scale Manufacturer Stock number Car number Paint scheme Notes
HO Details West ? ? ? Produced circa 1990 (?1979?). Per B&MRRHM Modelers Notes no 18 (Jul 1990) "the B&M cars are all but identical to the Details West double-plug door car"
Also cites Herald King decals (B-622) (appear to still be available Dec, 2020)
HO Atlas 20 000 768 134 As delivered unknown accuracy. Released Nov 2009, listed as "sold out" on their web site, Dec 2020
HO Atlas 20 000 769 141 As delivered unknown accuracy. Released Nov 2009, listed as "sold out" on their web site, Dec 2020
HO Atlas 20 000 770 143 As delivered unknown accuracy. Released Nov 2009, listed as "sold out" on their web site, Dec 2020
HO Scale Trains SXT 1000 105 As delivered "Kit Classics" line of models. unknown accuracy. Released 2017?, listed as "sold out" on their web site, Dec 2020
HO Scale Trains SXT 1001 109 As delivered "Kit Classics" line of models. unknown accuracy. Released 2017?, listed as "sold out" on their web site, Dec 2020
HO Scale Trains SXT 1002 110 As delivered "Kit Classics" line of models. unknown accuracy. Released 2017?, listed as "sold out" on their web site, Dec 2020
Atlas also listed HO scale "undec" models 2002-2018, all listed as sold out as of Dec, 2020.
Per B&MRRHS Modelers Notes #170 (Jan-Feb 2020), Athearn also did this car (2004)

Scale	Manufacturer	Stock number	Car number	Paint scheme	Notes
HO	Details West	?	?	?	Produced circa 1990 (?1979?). Per B&MRRHM Modelers Notes no 18 (Jul 1990) "the B&M cars are all but identical to the Details West double-plug door car" Also cites Herald King decals (B-622) (appear to still be available Dec, 2020)
HO	Atlas	20 000 768	134	As delivered	unknown accuracy. Released Nov 2009, listed as "sold out" on their web site, Dec 2020
HO	Atlas	20 000 769	141	As delivered	unknown accuracy. Released Nov 2009, listed as "sold out" on their web site, Dec 2020
HO	Atlas	20 000 770	143	As delivered	unknown accuracy. Released Nov 2009, listed as "sold out" on their web site, Dec 2020
HO	Scale Trains	SXT 1000	105	As delivered	"Kit Classics" line of models. unknown accuracy. Released 2017?, listed as "sold out" on their web site, Dec 2020
HO	Scale Trains	SXT 1001	109	As delivered	"Kit Classics" line of models. unknown accuracy. Released 2017?, listed as "sold out" on their web site, Dec 2020
HO	Scale Trains	SXT 1002	110	As delivered	"Kit Classics" line of models. unknown accuracy. Released 2017?, listed as "sold out" on their web 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
28-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 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
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
22-Aug-2020 KG Akerboom Added more Eric Neubauer data
29-Aug-2020 KG Akerboom Added Freight Car Journal reference(s)
30-Aug-2020 KG Akerboom Added "Box and Freight Cars of North America" photos
04-Nov-2020 KG Akerboom Added "NE Rails" photos
12-Dec-2020 KG Akerboom Added model info
16-Dec-2020 KG Akerboom Added Atlas HO scale models
28-Dec-2020 KG Akerboom Added Details West model, Modelers Notes article
31-Dec-2020 KG Akerboom Added B&MRRHS Modelers Notes article, Scale Trains models
07-Mar-2021 KG Akerboom Updated "Box and Freight Cars of North America" photos
04-Sep-2022 KG Akerboom Reviewed per [almost] complete ORER data
04-Jan-2023 KG Akerboom Fixed headers and footers...hopefully

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
28-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	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
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
22-Aug-2020	KG Akerboom	Added more Eric Neubauer data
29-Aug-2020	KG Akerboom	Added Freight Car Journal reference(s)
30-Aug-2020	KG Akerboom	Added "Box and Freight Cars of North America" photos
04-Nov-2020	KG Akerboom	Added "NE Rails" photos
12-Dec-2020	KG Akerboom	Added model info
16-Dec-2020	KG Akerboom	Added Atlas HO scale models
28-Dec-2020	KG Akerboom	Added Details West model, Modelers Notes article
31-Dec-2020	KG Akerboom	Added B&MRRHS Modelers Notes article, Scale Trains models
07-Mar-2021	KG Akerboom	Updated "Box and Freight Cars of North America" photos
04-Sep-2022	KG Akerboom	Reviewed per [almost] complete ORER data
04-Jan-2023	KG Akerboom	Fixed headers and footers...hopefully

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