B&M 27200 Stock Cars

Boston & Maine 27200 Series Stock 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
From 1942 class book.
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.
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

(With some additions from Tim Glbert

Spec Value
Converted by East Fitchburg Shops, from Lot-5 cars
Lot # 44
Car Numbers 27200-27239
Quantity 40
Build Date 1902-1903 (for New Haven)
Acquired by B&M in 1911 (#33000 series flats)
Converted to stock cars in 1923
AAR class SM
Lt Weight 40,000 lbs (approx)
Cubic Cap'y 2,544 Cu. Ft.
Side planking Wood 2" x 8"
Ends Wood with four 1¾" vertical wood beams
Doors Wood with Camel door fixtures
Roof Wood
Trucks Fox
Journals 5" x 9" (80,000 lbs nominal capacity)
Side Bearings 69¾" center to center, 32¼" from rail to top of truck side bearing
Air Brake KC 812
Brake Beam #2+
Draft Gear Tandem Spring
Coupler ARA
Coupler Yoke 5" x 7" shank, 6½" butt
Width over posts and braces 9'-9⅝"
Width over door handles 10'-6½"

ORER data and numbers

ORER Size Data
Description 5/1925 12/1930 7/1937
M.C.B. / AAR Mechanical Designation SM SM SM
Inside
Dimensions Length 35'-4" 35'-4" 35'-4"
Width 9' 9' 9'
Height 8' 8' 8'
Outside
Dimensions Length 35'-8" 35'-8" 35'-8"
Width At Eaves or top of sides or platform 9'-5" 9'-5" 9'-6"
Extreme Width 9'-6"
Height
from
Rail To Extreme Width 12'-6"
To Eaves or top of sides or platform 12'-6" 12'-6" 12'-6"
To Top of Running Board 13'-5" 13'-5" 13'-5"
To Extreme Height 13'-10" 13'-10" 13'-10"
Door - Side
opening Width 5' 5' 5'
Height 7'-8¼" 7'-8" 7'-8"
Capacity Cu Ft. Level Full 2544 2544 2544
Pounds 80000 80000 80000

ORER History
ORER Date
(Year-Mo.) Car
Numbers # of
Cars Description
1924 - 11 27200-27239 40 Stock
1925 - 05 (same)
1925 - 07 (same)
1925 - 10 (same)
1926 - 08 (same)
1926 - 10 (same)
1927 - 06 (same)
1927 - 08 (same)
1928 - 07 (same)
1928 - 08 (same)
1928 - 09 (same)
1928 - 10 (same)
1928 - 11 (same)
1928 - 12 (same)
1929 - 01 (same)
1929 - 02 (same)
1929 - 03 (same)
1929 - 04 (same)
1929 - 05 (same)
1929 - 06 " 39 "
1929 - 07 (same)
1929 - 08 (same)
1929 - 09 (same)
1929 - 10 (same)
1929 - 11 (same)
1929 - 12 (same)
1930 - 01 (same)
1930 - 02 (same)
1930 - 03 (same)
1930 - 04 (same)
1930 - 05 (same)
1930 - 06 (same)
1930 - 07 (same)
1930 - 08 (same)
1930 - 09 (same)
1930 - 10 (same)
1930 - 11 (same)
1930 - 12 (same)
1931 - 01 (same)
1931 - 02 (same)
1931 - 03 (same)
1931 - 04 (same)
1931 - 05 (same)
1931 - 06 (same)
1931 - 07 " 38 "
1931 - 08 (same)
1931 - 09 (same)
1931 - 10 (same)
1931 - 11 (same)
1932 - 01 (same)
1932 - 02 (same)
1932 - 03 (same)
1932 - 04 (same)
1932 - 05 (same)
1932 - 06 (same)
1932 - 07 (same)
Switch to Bi-monthly
1932 - 09 [no changes noted]
1932 - 11 [no changes noted]
1933 - 01 [no changes noted]
1933 - 03 [no changes noted]
1933 - 05 [no changes noted]
1933 - 07 " 37 "
1933 - 09 [no changes noted]
1933 - 11 [no changes noted]
1934 - 01 [no changes noted]
1934 - 03 [no changes noted]
1934 - 05 [no changes noted]
1934 - 07 (same)
1934 - 09 [no changes noted]
1934 - 11 [no changes noted]
1935 - 01 [no changes noted]
1935 - 03 [no changes noted]
1935 - 05 [no changes noted]
1935 - 07 " 32 "
1935 - 09 [no changes noted]
1935 - 11 [no changes noted]
1936 - 01 [no changes noted]
1936 - 03 [no changes noted]
1936 - 05 [no changes noted]
1936 - 07 " 31 "
1936 - 09 [no changes noted]
1936 - 11 [no changes noted]
1937 - 01 [no changes noted]
1937 - 03 [no changes noted]
1937 - 05 [no changes noted]
Switch to Quarterly
1937 - 07 " 26 "
1937 - 10 (same)
1938 - 01 (same)
1938 - 04 (same)
1938 - 07 " 25 "
1938 - 10 " 24 "
1939 - 01 (same)
1939 - 04 (same)
1939 - 07 27202-27239 22 "
1939 - 10 " 21 "
1940 - 01 (same)
1940 - 04 (same)
1940 - 07 (same)
1940 - 10 " 19 "
1941 - 01 (same)
1941 - 04 " 18 "
1941 - 07 (same)
1941 - 10 " 17 "
1942 - 01 (same)
1942 - 04 (same)
1942 - 07 (same)
1942 - 10 (same)
1943 - 01 (same)
1943 - 04 (same)
1943 - 07 (same)
1943 - 10 (same)
1944 - 01 (same)
1944 - 04 (same)
1944 - 07 " 16 "
1944 - 10 (same)
1945 - 01 " 15 "
1945 - 04 (same)
1945 - 07 " 14 "
1945 - 10 Not listed

ORER Notes

Discussion, General Notes

Converted from 33000 series flat cars in 1923
Per Tim Gilbert
Structurally, a flatcar does not use material as efficiently as a boxcar, whose underframe was supported by its sides, ends, and roof. The composite superstructure of the #27200 series stock cars weighed 11,600 pounds (40,200 - 28,600). The total light weight of a #64680 series boxcar which included additional weight for solid double sheathing of both the sides and ends(vs. single slatted sheathing on the #27200s) and a larger, heavier door [was 41,600 lbs]. While the weight of the underframe and trucks of a #64680 is not known, by using at least four times the wood for sheathing alone compared to the converted stock cars should add a lot more than the 800 pound difference between the light weights of the 36' boxcars and converted stock cars. Thus, it can be assumed that the 36' #33000 series flat cars underframes were more heavily constructed than the underframe of a #64680 boxcar.
Stock cars were not a large feature on the B&M and were steadily declining in total. Before the 40 conversions in 1923, the B&M rostered about 130 cars which were mostly 19th century construction. After the #27200s underframes were more than 40 years old, fifteen of the #72000 series boxcars were converted to stock cars (the #27500-27514 series) in 1944-1945 (refer to [that web page]). After the war, most of the livestock carried to the Boston slaughterhouses was carried in foreign-owned stock cars so even these 15 were under-utilized. When needed, some were assigned to pulpwood service. By 1955, the need to have stock cars passed an the surviving #27500s were re-converted to box cars.

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 Vol Part Page Date Action Location
27202 3 1 2R 1945-03-20 Destroyed Boston
27203 3 1 3R 1945-05-04 Destroyed Billerica
27206 3 1 3R 1945-06-13 Destroyed Billerica
27208 3 1 3R 1945-06-20 Destroyed Billerica
27211 3 1 3R 1945-06-20 Destroyed Billerica
27213 3 1 3R 1945-06-20 Destroyed Billerica
27216 3 1 3R 1945-06-20 Destroyed Billerica
27218 3 1 3R 1945-06-20 Destroyed Billerica
27220 3 1 3R 1945-06-20 Destroyed Billerica
27224 3 1 3R 1945-06-13 Destroyed Billerica
27225 3 1 3R 1945-06-20 Destroyed Billerica
27226 3 1 4R 1945-07-27 Destroyed Billerica
27231 3 1 4L 1945-06-20 Destroyed Billerica
27236 3 1 4L 1945-06-20 Destroyed Billerica
27239 3 1 4L 1945-06-13 Destroyed Billerica

Car Disposition Records

Source(s)
ID Box Folder Folder name Link Title Approx.
Start date Approx.
End date
A 1 5 Coal Cars 27200-27239 Stock - “A” 1924? 1942?
B 1 8 Pulpwood, lumber, reefer 27200 - 27500 series Stock - “B” 1942-1944? 1945?

Data
Car Number Disposition
Source ID Date
Built "Purchase"
Date Conversion
Date "From"
Car # Disposition
Date Disposition
27200 A 1903-07 1912 1923-06 33495 1935-02 Retired
27201 A 1902-08 1912 1923-06 33091 1935-02 Retired
27202 A,B 1903-07 1912 1923-06 33083 1945-03 Retired
27203 A,B 1903-07 1912 1923-06 33305 1945-06 Retired
27204 A 1903-07
1902-08 1912 1923-06 1935-04 Retired
33279 [I am not sure why there are
2 lines of data for this car]
27205 A 1903-06 1912 1923-06 33034 1939-05 Retired
27206 A,B 1903-07 1912 1923-06 33475 1945-06 Retired
27207 A 1903-06 1912 1923-06 33252 1938-03 Retired
27208 A,B 1903-06 1912 1923-06 33373 1945-06 Retired
27209 A 1903-06 1912 1923-06 33198 1936-07 Retired
27210 A 1903-07 1912 1923-06 33423 1940-12 Retired
27211 A,B 1903-07 1912 1923-06 33008 1945-06 Retired
27212 A 1903-07 1912 1923-06 33365 1939-05 Retired
27213 A,B 1903-06 1912 1923-06 33066 1945-06 Retired
27214 A 1902-08 1912 1923-06 33407 1934-06 Retired
27215 A 1903-06 1912 1923-06 33090 1931-05 Destroyed
27216 A,B 1903-07 1912 1923-06 33393 1945-06 Retired
27217 A 1903-06 1912 1923-06 33039 1936-03 Retired
27218 A,B 1903-07 1912 1923-06 33287 1945-06 Retired
27219 A 1903-07 1912 1923-06 33415 1932-11 Retired
27220 A,B 1903-07 1912 1923-06 33268 1945-06 Retired
27221 A 1903-07 1912 1923-06 33005 1936-08 Retired
27222 A 1902-08 1912 1923-07 33499 1938-05 Retired
27223 A 1903-07 1912 1923-07 33002 1939-04 Retired
27224 A,B 1903-07 1912 1923-07 33029 1945-06 Retired
27225 A,B 1903-07 1912 1923-07 33317 1945-06 Retired
27226 A,B 1903-07 1912 1923-07 33172 1945-07 Retired
27227 A,B 1903-07 1912 1923-07 33194 1944-05 Retired
27228 A 1903-07 1912 1923-07 33452 1940-07 Retired
27229 A 1903-06 1912 1923-07 33402 1936-06 Retired
27230 A 1903-07 1912 1923-07 33256 1940-07 Retired
27231 A,B 1903-07 1912 1923-07 33493 1945-06 Retired
27232 A 1902-08 1912 1923-07 33364 1941-07 to 0202
27233 A 1903-06 1912 1923-07 33418 1929-04 Destroyed
27234 A 1903-07 1912 1923-07 33052 1935-02 Retired
27235 A 1903-06 1912 1923-07 33024 1936-06 Retired
27236 A,B 1903-07 1912 1923-07 33060 1945-06 Retired
27237 A 1902-08 1912 1923-07 33179 1936-12 Retired
27238 A,B 1903-07 1912 1923-07 33260 1944-10 Retired
27239 A,B 1903-07 1912 1923-07 33354 1945-06 Retired

Paint Schemes

References or other data

Ellis, Art. B&MRRHS Modelers Notes #23 (Dec, 1991) has an article modeling these cars starting with a Labelle wood kit and modifying as needed.

Photographs

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

Heald, Bruce D. The Boston & Maine - Trains and Services Arcadia Publishing, 2005 ISBN 0-7385-3875-2
p78 27220? 1943-05 X A B&M R R ? spelled Reporting marks barely visible. fox trucks. Sign "Return to Woodsville, NH when empty"
B&MRRHS Modelers Notes Issue No. included in "page" column
No 15 p1 27226? 1943 A A B&M R R spelled Same picture as The Boston & Maine - Trains and Services p78

Renumberings/Conversions/Dispositions

Models

Revision History

File History for THIS page
Date Who Description
31-Dec-2019 KG Akerboom Initial release
22-Mar-2020 KG Akerboom Added data from 19 more ORERs
04-Apr-2020 KG Akerboom Re-did references/photos section
01-May-2020 KG Akerboom Added data from 4 more ORER (1941, 1943, 1945, 1947)
05-May-2020 KG Akerboom Moved ORER notes into separate section
09-May-2020 KG Akerboom Added 1942 class cards
11-May-2020 KG Akerboom Updated class card table
15-May-2020 KG Akerboom Added data from 4 more ORERs (1911,1919,1921,1931)
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
23-Oct-2020 KG Akerboom Added Car Book Data
17-Nov-2020 KG Akerboom Standardized formatting of Classification Card(s) section
22-Nov-2020 KG Akerboom Updated 1942 Classification Card(s)
27-Nov-2020 KG Akerboom Added 1955 Classification Card
31-Dec-2020 KG Akerboom Updated misc stuff
04-Jul-2021 KG Akerboom Reorganized Car Book and/or Car Disposition Data (Car # to 1st column, 2nd/other changes to new rows)
17-Oct-2021 KG Akerboom Added remaining 7/1928 - 10/1947 ORERs
25-Oct-2021 KG Akerboom Added car disposition record data