B&M 12550 Box Cars

Boston & Maine 12550 Series Box Cars

Index

Builder's Photo

Does one exist?

B&M Classification Card(s)

For more info on the classification cards and "webitizing" them, see this web page
12440-12476 Sub-class

From 1942 class book.
Red text was black on original scan, above process removed it entirely, so (as best as I could read it) I re-added it
Note 1: in pencil, dimensions are 36'-3⅝" [inside] and 36'-8⅛" [outside] - I assume these are "actual" values vs. "stencil" values in black ink?
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)

Back side of previous page also had additional information:
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.
Red text was black on original scan, above process removed it entirely, so (as best as I could read it) I re-added it
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 12440-12476 12550-12599
Builder MDT Co. ?
Lot # 6 ?
Spec # ?
Quantity 37 ?
Build Date 1903 ?
Dimension "A"
(max outside width) 9'-3¼" ?
Dimension "B"
(door height) 7'-8½" ?
Dimension "C"
(inside height to carlines) 8'-0" ?
AAR class XM
Lt Weight 31,000 lbs (approx)
Description 36' Wood underframe boxcars, double-sheathed [End Doors]
Some cars received composite underframes (steel center sills) beginning before 1914
Cubic Cap'y Original: 2,467 Cu. Ft.
Mogul ends: 2,455 Cu. Ft.
7/7 stamped steel ends: 2,483 Cu. Ft.
Truss Rods four x 1⅛"
Trucks Fox
Springs 7" x 7", 1¼" outside (¾" inside) steel
Journals 4¼" x 8" (60,000 lbs nominal capacity)
Side Bearings 67" center to center, 33¼" from rail to top of truck side bearing
Air Brake HC 812
Center Plates Fox Contour
Coupler 5" x 5" shanks, 6½" butts
Draft Gear Tandem spring

ORER data and numbers

ORER Size Data - 1903-1910
Description 5/1903 3/1907
Length 35' 35' & 36'
Width 8'-6" to 8'-7"
Height 7'-7" to 8'
Capacity (Pounds) 40000 40 & 60000

ORER Size Data
Description 8/1910 Value 8/1911 2/1914 4/1915 5/1925
AAR Mechanical Designation XM(11/1914) XM XA
Inside
Dimensions Length 35' to 36' (same) 35' 35' 35'
Width 8'-6" to 8'-7" (same) 8'-7½" 8'-7½" 8'-7½"
Height 7'-7" to 8' (same) 7'-4" 7'-4" 7'-4"
Outside
Dimensions Length (same)
Width At Eaves or top of sides or platform (same)
Extreme Width (same)
Height
from
Rail To Extreme Width (same)
To Eaves or top of sides or platform (same)
To Top of Running Board (same)
To Extreme Height (same)
Door - Side
opening Width (same) 5' 5'
Height (same) 7' 7'
Door - End
opening Width 6'-7" (same) 6'-7" 6'-7" 6'-7"
Height 7'-0½ (same) 7'-0½ 7'-0½ 7'-0½
Capacity Cu Ft. Level Full 2256 2213 2213 2213
Pounds 40 to 60000 (same) 40000 40000 40000

ORER History
ORER Date
(Year-Mo.) Car
Numbers # of
Cars Description
1901 - 03 12550-12599 39 Box, Carriage, End Doors
1901 - 04 " (illegible) "
1901 - 05 " (illegible) "
1901 - 06 " 39 "
1901 - 07 12500-12599 " "
1901 - 08 (same)
1901 - 09 " (illegible) "
1901 - 10 " 79(?) "
1901 - 11 " (illegible) "
1903 - 03 " 110 "
1903 - 05 12450-12599 114 "
1903 - 06 (same)
1903 - 07 (same)
1903 - 08 (same)
1903 - 09 " 115 "
1903 - 10 (same)
1903 - 11 " 114 "
1904 - 07 (same)
1904 - 12 " 118 "
1905 - 01 " 113 "
1905 - 03 " 112 "
1905 - 04 (same)
1905 - 06 " 110 "
1906 - 08 " 121 "
1907 - 03 " 118 "
1907 - 04 " 117 "
1907 - 05 (same)
1907 - 06 (same)
1907 - 07 (same)
1907 - 08 (same)
1907 - 09 " 116 "
1907 - 10 (same)
1907 - 11 " 115 "
1907 - 12 (same)
1908 - 01 (same)
1908 - 02 (same)
1908 - 03 (same)
1908 - 04 (same)
1908 - 05 " 164 "
1908 - 08 (same)
60 cars split off into 12423-12484 (see that series for data after 8/1908)
1908 - 09 12485-12599 103 "
1908 - 10 (same)
1908 - 11 (same)
1908 - 12 " 102 "
1909 - 01 (same)
1909 - 02 (same)
1909 - 04 " 101 "
1909 - 05 (same)
1909 - 06 (same)
1909 - 07 (same)
1909 - 08 (same)
1909 - 09 (same)
1909 - 10 (same)
1909 - 11 (same)
1910 - 01 (same)
1910 - 02 " 100 "
1910 - 03 (same)
1910 - 04 (same)
1910 - 05 (same)
1910 - 06 " (illegible) "
1910 - 07 " 99 "
1910 - 08 " 98 "
1910 - 09 " 97 "
1910 - 11 " 96 "
1910 - 12 " 95 "
1911 - 02 " 94 "
1911 - 03 " 93 Box, End Doors
1911 - 04 (same)
1911 - 05 " 92 "
1911 - 08 " 89 "
1911 - 09 " 87 "
1911 - 10 " 85 "
1911 - 11 (same)
1911 - 12 (same)
1912 - 01 (same)
1912 - 02 (same)
1912 - 03 (same)85
1912 - 04 " 84 "
1912 - 05 " 80 "
1912 - 06 (same)
1912 - 07 " 79? "
1912 - 08 " 79 "
1912 - 09 " 77 "
1912 - 10 " 77? "
1912 - 11 (same)
1912 - 12 " 76 "
1913 - 01 " 75 "
1913 - 02 " 74 "
1913 - 03 " 71 "
1913 - 04 " 70? "
1913 - 05 " 70? "
1913 - 06 " 70(?) "
1913 - 07 " 67 "
1913 - 10 " 59 "
1913 - 11 " 58 "
1913 - 12 " 56 "
1914 - 01 " 52 "
1914 - 02 " 51 "
1914 - 03 " 49 "
1914 - 04 (same)
1914 - 05 " 46 "
1914 - 06 (same)
1914 - 07 (same)
1914 - 09 (same)
1914 - 10 " 45 "
1914 - 11 (same)
1914 - 12 (same)
1915 - 01 (same)
1915 - 02 (same)
1915 - 03 (same)
1915 - 04 (same)
1915 - 05 " 43 "
1915 - 10 " 39 "
1915 - 11 (same)
1915 - 12 (same)
1916 - 01 (same)
1916 - 02 " 38 "
1916 - 03 (same)
1916 - 04 (same)
1916 - 05 " 36 "
1916 - 06 " 35 "
1916 - 07 (same)
1916 - 08 (same)
1916 - 09 " 34 "
1916 - 10 " 33 "
1916 - 11 (same)
1916 - 12 " 32 "
1917 - 01 " 31 "
1917 - 02 " 30 "
1917 - 03 " 28 "
1917 - 04 (same)
1917 - 05 (same)
1917 - 06 (same)
1917 - 10 " 27 "
1917 - 11 (same)
1919 - 10 12489-12599 20 "
1920 - 01 " 19 "
1921 - 05 12495-12578 9 "
1921 - 12 " 7 "
1922 - 08 " 5 "
1922 - 11 (same)
1923 - 02 (same)
1924 - 11 12495 1 Box, Automobile, End Doors
12508 1
12531 1
1925 - 05 12508 1 Box, Automobile, End Doors
12531 1
1925 - 07 12508 1 Box, Automobile, End Doors
12531 1
1925 - 10 12508, 12531 2 Box, Automobile, End Doors
1926 - 08 Not listed

ORER Notes

Discussion, General Notes

03/1903 - interesting they could fit 110 cars into 100 numbers (12500-12599)?!?!
5/1925 - I am not sure why the 2 cars (with identical dimensions) were listed separately
Note the class card references this as "12440-12476" yet (so far) I find no ORER reference to cars 12440-12449 (ORER series start at 12450)
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 # 7 - L
B&M Diagram # 14
Diagram Date 1907
Color on Diagram Brown
Notes on Diagram End door shown
Datum 1900 Index 1907 Index
Class of car Box Car Carriage End Door Box Car Carriage End Door
Length Various 35'
Capacity 30,000-40,000 40,000
Car Numbers 12561-12599 12523-12599
Page [original] 24 14

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
12578 1 2 9 1924-06-06 Destroyed

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 10190 - 12758 Auto + Misc after 1923? 1944?

Data
Car Number Date Built Disposition
Source ID Disposition
Date Disposition New Car #
12503 1889-10 A 1921-03 to 3003

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 12486 BM-14 54 Carriage 1891 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12488 BM-14 56 Carriage 1888 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12489 BM-14 57 Carriage 1888 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12490 BM-14 70 Carriage 1889 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12491 BM-14 58 Carriage 1888 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12495 BM-14 71 Carriage 1889 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12497 BM-14 82 Carriage 1890 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12500 BM-14 59 Carriage 1888 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12501 BM-14 72 Carriage 1889 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12503 BM-14 94 Carriage 1889 Fitchburg 60 wood wood
B&M 12507 BM-14 95 Carriage 1888 Fitchburg 60 wood wood
B&M 12508 BM-14 60 Carriage 1888 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12511 BM-14 61 Carriage 1888 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12515 BM-14 73 Carriage 1889 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12520 BM-14 96 Carriage 1888 Fitchburg 60 wood wood
B&M 12521 BM-14 74 Carriage 1889 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12524 BM-14 62 Carriage 1888 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12528 BM-14 75 Carriage 1889 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12529 BM-14 76 Carriage 1889 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12530 BM-14 63 Carriage 1888 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12531 BM-14 77 Carriage 1889 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12536 BM-14 83 Carriage 1890 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12537 BM-14 84 Carriage 1890 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12538 BM-14 64 Carriage 1888 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12539 BM-14 78 Carriage 1889 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12541 BM-14 65 Carriage 1888 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12543 BM-14 97 Carriage 1888 Fitchburg 60 wood wood
B&M 12553 BM-14 66 Carriage 1888 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12554 BM-14 85 Carriage 1890 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12555 BM-14 79 Carriage 1889 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12556 BM-14 67 Carriage 1888 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12557 BM-14 68 Carriage 1888 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12558 BM-14 69 Carriage 1888 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12564 BM-14 86 Carriage 1890 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12565 BM-14 80 Carriage 1889 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12570 BM-14 87 Carriage 1890 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12571 BM-14 99 Carriage 1890 Fitchburg 60 wood wood
B&M 12575 BM-14 98 Carriage 1888 Fitchburg 60 wood wood
B&M 12576 BM-14 88 Carriage 1890 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12578 BM-14 89 Carriage 1890 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12579 BM-14 90 Carriage 1890 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12583 BM-14 91 Carriage 1890 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12585 BM-14 92 Carriage 1890 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12591 BM-14 55 Carriage 1891 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12592 BM-14 93 Carriage 1890 Fitchburg 40 wood wood
B&M 12597 BM-14 81 Carriage 1889 Fitchburg 40 wood wood

Paint Schemes

References or other data

Magazine/Book article(s)

Photographs

Renumberings/Conversions/Dispositions

Models

Revision History

File History for THIS page
Date Who Description
08-Dec-2019 KG Akerboom Initial release
21-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 card
11-May-2020 KG Akerboom Updated class card table
15-May-2020 KG Akerboom Added data from 4 more ORERs (1911,1919,1921,1931)
28-May-2020 KG Akerboom updated 10/1919
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)
22-Oct-2020 KG Akerboom Added Car Book Data
17-Nov-2020 KG Akerboom Standardized formatting of Classification Card(s) section
19-Nov-2020 KG Akerboom Updated 1942 Classification Card
24-Nov-2020 KG Akerboom Added 1955 Classification Card
27-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)
26-Sep-2021 KG Akerboom Added car disposition record data
22-Jan-2022 KG Akerboom Added ICC Valuation data