B&M 5520 Hopper Cars

Boston & Maine 5520 Series Hopper Cars

Index

Builder's Photo

Pullman Standard Builder's Photo Courtesy of James Kinkaid, used with permission (click on image to see full resolution available)

B&M Classification Card(s)

Does one exist?

Specifications From Classification Cards

From Mainline Modeler and Railmodel Journal articles
Additional data from Neubauer, Eric. Pullman-Standard Freight Car Production Including Predecessors (Pullman-Standard Freight Car Production.pdf)

Spec Value
Builder Pullman-Standard (Butler, PA)
Lot # 8308D
Car Numbers 5520-5545
Quantity 26
Build Date 5/1956
AAR class LO
Lt Weight
Description PS-2 covered hopper
Cubic Cap'y 2003 Cu. Ft.
Journals Roller Bearings

ORER data and numbers

ORER Size Data
Description 7/1956 1/1983 5/1983 7/1989 10/2000
AAR Mechanical Designation LO LO LO LO LO
Inside
Dimensions Length 29'-3" 29'-3" 29'-3"
Width 9'-5" 9'-5" 9'-5"
Height
Outside
Dimensions Length 35'-3" 35'-3" 37'-9" 37'-9" 37'-9"
Width At Eaves or top of sides or platform 9'-8"
10'-2" 9'-8"
10'-2" 9'-8" 9'-8" 9'-8"
Extreme Width 10'-2" 10'-2" 10'-3" 10'-3" 10'-3"
Height
from
Rail To Extreme Width 12'-3" 12'-3" 12'-3" 12'-3" 12'-3"
To Eaves or top of sides or platform 12'-6"
12'-3" 12'-6"
12'-3" 12'-6" 12'-6" 12'-6"
To Top of Running Board 13'-2" 13'-2"
To Extreme Height 13'-3" 13'-3" 13'-3" 13'-3" 13'-3"
Door - Side
opening Width
Height
Capacity Cu Ft. Level Full 2003 2003 2000 2000 2000
Pounds 140000 154000 154000 154000 220000

ORER History
ORER Date
(Year-Mo.) Car
Numbers # of
Cars Description
1956 - 07 5520-5545 26 Covered Hopper Steel
1956 - 10 (same)
1957 - 01 (same)
1957 - 04 (same)
1957 - 07 (same)
1957 - 10 (same)
1958 - 01 (same)
1958 - 04 (same)
1958 - 07 (same)
1958 - 10 (same)
1959 - 01 (same)
1959 - 04 (same)
1959 - 07 (same)
1959 - 10 (same)
1960 - 01 (same)
1960 - 04 (same)
1960 - 07 (same)
1960 - 10 (same)
1961 - 01 " " 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 " 25 "
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 5520-5545 20 Covered Hopper Steel
5537,5540,5541,5543,5545 5 Covered Hopper, Steel, Special Interior lining & Hopper Covers, (Sugar only)
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 (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 (same) (both rows)
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 (same) (both rows)
1981 - 04 (same) (both rows)
1981 - 07 5520-5545 16 Covered Hopper Steel
5540,5541,5543,5545 4 Covered Hopper, Steel, Special Interior lining & Hopper Covers, (Sugar only)
1981 - 10 (same) (both rows)
1982 - 01 (same) (both rows)
1982 - 04 (same) (both rows)
1982 - 07 5520-5545 16 Covered Hopper Steel
5540,5541,5543,5545 4 Covered Hopper, Steel, Special Interior lining & Hopper Covers
1982 - 10 (same) (both rows)
1983 - 01 5520-5545 16 Covered Hopper Steel
5540,5541,5543,5545 4 Covered Hopper, Steel, Special Interior lining
1983 - 05 5520-5545 19 Covered Hopper Steel
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 " 15 "
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 " 11 "
1992 - 04 (same)
1992 - 07 (same)
1992 - 10 (same)
1993 - 01 (same)
1993 - 04 (same)
1993 - 07 (same)
1993 - 10 (same)
1994 - 01 (same)
1994 - 04 " 10 "
1994 - 07 (same)
1994 - 10 (same)
1995 - 01 " 9 "
1995 - 04 (same)
1995 - 07 (same)
1995 - 10 5520-5545 7 Covered Hopper, Steel
5528 1 Covered Hopper [170000 lbs capy]
5531 1 Covered Hopper [169000 lbs capy]
1996 - 01 (same) (all 3 rows)
1996 - 04 (same) (all 3 rows)
1996 - 07 (same) (all 3 rows)
1996 - 10 (same) (all 3 rows)
1997 - 01 (same) (all 3 rows)
1997 - 04 (same) (all 3 rows)
1997 - 07 (same) (all 3 rows)
1997 - 10 (same) (all 3 rows)
1998 - 01 (same) (all 3 rows)
1998 - 04 (same) (all 3 rows)
1998 - 07 (same) (all 3 rows)
1998 - 10 (same) (all 3 rows)
1999 - 01 (same) (all 3 rows)
1999 - 04 (same) (all 3 rows)
1999 - 07 (same) (all 3 rows)
1999 - 10 (same) (all 3 rows)
2000 - 01 (same) (all 3 rows)
2000 - 04 (same) (all 3 rows)
2000 - 07 5520-5545 9 Covered Hopper, Steel
2000 - 10 (same)
2001 - 01 (same)
2001 - 04 (same)
2001 - 07 (same)
2001 - 10 (same)
2002 - 01 (same)
2002 - 04 (same)
2002 - 07 (same)
2002 - 10 (same)
2003 - 01 (same)
2003 - 04 (same)
2003 - 07 (same)
2003 - 10 (same)
2004 - 01 (same)
2004 - 04 (same)
2004 - 07 " 8 "
2004 - 10 (same)
2005 - 01 (same)
2005 - 04 (same)
2005 - 07 (same)
2005 - 10 (same)
2006 - 01 (same)
2006 - 04 (same)
2006 - 07 (same)
2006 - 10 (same)
2007 - 01 (same)
2007 - 04 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: Only cars in series 5520-5545 listed in the table below - see other cars series for other cars included in note G]

Car No. First listed Last Listed
5537 1/1961 4/1981
5540 1/1961 1/1983
5541 1/1961 1/1983
5543 1/1961 1/1983
5545 1/1961 1/1983

Discussion, General Notes

Per Don Clerke
Built by Pullman
8 round roof hatches, solid sides

Pullman-standard PS-2 2000 cu ft covered hopper
High brake wheel

Car Book and/or Car Disposition Data

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 Book Data
Car Number(s) Vol Part Page Date Action Location New # Notes
5520-5545 4 4 4R 1956-05-27 New [from Pullman-Standard]

Car Disposition Records

Source(s)
Box Folder Folder name Link Title Approx.
Start date Approx.
End date
1 5 Coal Cars 5500-5529 Covered_Hoppers - “A” 1947-02 before 1968-04

Car Disposition Data
Car Number Build Date Disposition Notes
5520-5529 1956-05 [no dispositions listed] Equipment Trust [#1?]

Paint Schemes

As delivered
grey body/roof/ends (grey is darker than ACF cars' grey). ?Black underframe, trucks, and hoppers?
blue/white (grey background) intertwined "BM" herald, almost as high as car side.
Were reporting marks white or black originally?
Per B&MRRHS Modeler's Notes #101 (Mar-Apr 2006) herald: approx 6' high "B" (all white), "M" is blue with white border
?1970s repaint (per Highball Graphics)
As above, but herald is all white with black outline.
Herald sometimes (approx) 4' high, sometimes much smaller (2' high?)

References or other data

Lofton, Martin. "PS-2 Covered Hoppers Part I" Mainline Modeler Jul 1991, pp 68-73
Plans of UP car (S scale)
Many photos (including B&M 5525), roster (note the B&M is listed in both tables, I'm not sure why)
Kinkaid, James. "PS-2 Covered Hopper" Mainline Modeler Aug 1998, pp 64-69
Plans of SAL car (S scale)
Many photos (including B&M 5526)
Hawkins, Ed. "Pullman Standard 70-ton PS-2 two-bay Covered Hoppers" Railmodel Journal Apr 1995, pp 4-13
Many photos (including B&M 5526)

Photographs

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

Northern New England Color Guide
p32 5545 1956-06-20 Y X A p BM R R AB N N N N N original original note evidence of spillage around roof hatches (not yet showing on car side)
Mainline Modeler Issue date included in "page" column
7/1991 p69 5525 X B BM R R N N 2V I N N original original
8/1998 p67 5526 1956? X B BM R R AB N N N N N original original builder's Photo?
Railmodel Journal Issue date included in "page" column
4/1995 p7 5526 1956? X B BM R R AB N N N N N original original builder's Photo?
Don Clerke inserts into B&MRRHS Bulletin
i 11 photo 26 55xx? X BM R R N N N N N N grey smaller? Very weathered
i 11 photo 27 5540 X BM R R AB N N N N N grey larger Very weathered
i 11 photo 28 5541 X Bp BM R R N Y 2V N N N grey smaller rebuilt, roller bearing trucks.
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 5535 5535 1995-08-26 Y X BM G G N Y 2V Y N N Reporting marks repainted
BM 5535 5535 1997-12-27 Y X BM G G N Y 2V Y N N Reporting marks repainted
BM 5541 5541 1995-08-26 Y X B BM R R N Y 2V Y N N grey smaller?
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
LO 5535 5535 1995-08-26 Y X A BM G G N Y 2V Y N N original original Same as "Fallen Flags" photo?
LO 5535 5535 1997-12-27 Y X A BM G G N Y 2V Y N N original original Same as "Fallen Flags" photo?
LO 5541 5541 1995-08-26 Y X B BM R R N Y 2V Y N N original original Same as "Fallen Flags" photo?
B&M RR Magazine Jul-Aug, 1956 (vol 24 No. 4)
p13 5521 1956 X BM R R AB N N N N N original original somewhat fuzzy print.
Canadian Freight Railcar Gallery (as of 29-Aug-2020)
"American Railroads" → "Boston & Maine"
Then scroll down to find the photo.
BM 5526 1956 X B BM G G AB N N N N N original original Builder's photo
Highball Graphics
N/HO/O scale decals, but they have a couple prototype pictures
Web site doesn't seem to work very well with Internet Explorer, use a newer browser.
From main page, "check" (under "Railroad" list at left) the "Boston & Maine" → "Boston & Maine 50' 70T Covered Hoppers - Repainted mid 70's [N / HO / O] Scale" (scale doesn't matter, they have same photos on all)
5529 ? Y X p BM R G N Y 2V N N N as repainted "4' high" variant
5545 ? Y X Bp BM R R N N 2V Y N N as repainted "2' high" variant
Pullman Library, James Kinkaid Collection
If above doesn't work, try https://pullman-lib.smugmug.com
Then "Railroad - B" then scroll down
5526 1956-05? X B BM R R AB N N N N N original original Builder's Photo
Rail Goat web site (as of 29-Jan-2022)
5526 1956-05? X B BM R R AB N N N N N original original Builder's Photo

Renumberings/Conversions/Dispositions

per B&MRRHS Modeler's Notes #39

Date Quantity New Numbers Description
1994 4 2751-2756 renumbered
1984-05-18 1 (BM 5536) Green Mountain Ry X705 Sold to GMR. Converted to ballast, 1984-10. Still in use, Dec 2020.
1984-05-23 1 (BM 5523) Green Mountain Ry X704 Sold to GMR. Scrapped, 2003-06, trucks re-used under ex-Rutland gon.
1984-05-04 1 (BM 5542) Green Mountain Ry X706 Sold to GMR. Converted to ballast (could only dump between the rails), 1995-06. Scrapped 2013-07

Models

Scale Manufacturer Stock number Car number Paint scheme Notes
HO Atlas ? 5541? As delivered Review in April, 1995 Railroad Model Craftsman pp 91-93
HO Atlas 1801-3 5544 As delivered Per Atlas web site, released May, 2005. Listed as "sold out" Dec 2020
HO Kadee 8330 5526 As delivered Notched Roof Hatch Covers. Out-of-stock by Feb, 2010
HO Kadee 8331 5533 As delivered Notched Roof Hatch Covers. Out-of-stock by Jun, 2010
HO Kadee 8332 5529 As delivered Notched Roof Hatch Covers. Out-of-stock by Jan, 2012
HO Kadee 8342 5535 As delivered [no mention of covers] Out-of-stock by Nov, 2020
Mentioned in Jan, 2020 Model Railroad Hobbyist p 67
also July, 2019 Model Railroad Hobbyist p 77
O (3 rail) MTH Walthers part 507-2097328 5526 As delivered Listed on Walthers as "out of stock", Dec, 2020
HO Athearn (Roundhouse line) RND15701 5521 As Delivered? unknown accuracy of car body or decoration. Announced May, 2017. Listed as "Sold out" on their website [probably long before] Dec, 2020
HO Athearn (Roundhouse line) RND15703 5541 As Delivered? unknown accuracy of car body or decoration. Announced May, 2017. Listed as "Sold out" on their website [probably long before] Dec, 2020
S MTH 35-75044 5520 As Delivered? unknown accuracy of car body or decoration. Announced May, 2015. Unknown availability Dec, 2020
S MTH 35-75045 5525 As Delivered? unknown accuracy of car body or decoration. Announced May, 2015. Shown as "Available" on their web site Dec, 2020

Per B&MRRHS Modelers Notes #24 (Jan, 1992) Weaver had an O scale PS-2 available. Unknown accuracy for the B&M, unknown if any were painted for the B&M
Per B&MRRHS Modelers Notes #39 (Oct, 1995) Note the Atlas model [just the first run???] has a "rib" at each bolster, whereas the B&M cars had a "channel" at this location
Per B&MRRHS Modelers Notes #18 (1990), could be built using MDC hopper with major work. [KGA: I would use one of the models above]
On an interesting note, it also states that 5533 and 5536 are black with white markings

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
01-Apr-2020 KG Akerboom Added references
04-Apr-2020 KG Akerboom Re-did references/photos section
16-Apr-2020 KG Akerboom Added more web sites: B&MRRHS Flickr, Fallen Flags, NMRA Archives, Earl Tuson. Also Scott Whitney (NMRO) CDs
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
30-May-2020 KG Akerboom Added B&M RR [Employees] Magazine photos
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
18-Aug-2020 KG Akerboom Added builder's photo, courtesy of James Kinkaid
20-Aug-2020 KG Akerboom Added more Eric Neubauer data
29-Aug-2020 KG Akerboom Added "Canadian Freight Railcar Gallery" photos
25-Oct-2020 KG Akerboom Added Car Book Data
08-Dec-2020 KG Akerboom Added Kadee model
12-Dec-2020 KG Akerboom Added model info
23-Dec-2020 KG Akerboom Added photos from Highball Graphics decals site
30-Dec-2020 KG Akerboom Added MTH models
31-Dec-2020 KG Akerboom Added cars sold to GMR info per car records from Scott Whitney
07-Jan-2021 KG Akerboom Updated Kadee model info (hatch cover info)
22-Jan-2021 KG Akerboom Added pullman-lib.smugmug.com builder's photo
04-Jul-2021 KG Akerboom Reorganized Car Book and/or Car Disposition Data (Car # to 1st column, 2nd/other changes to new rows)
29-Jan-2022 KG Akerboom Added "Rail Goat" web site photos