Modeling Boston & Maine Baggage/Express/Messenger Cars #3260-3276, part 1

  Boston & Maine baggage/express/messenger car #3266 

                    Bob's Photos

Boston and Maine purchased many second hand heavyweight passenger cars and surplus WWII Pullman troop sleeper cars during the late 40's thru mid 50's to convert to baggage/express cars to replace their aging wooden roster.

B&M car #2366 above was 1 of 17 ex-troop sleepers purchased during late 1948 and early 1949. All 17 were converted by the B&M shops to baggage/express cars with messenger facilities to the 1948 AAR specifications for construction of baggage cars used in messenger & baggageman service.

The AAR messenger car specifications include 2 doors per side (one minimum 8'), end diaphragms with footplates, interior lighting, heating, ventilation, signal and brake valve cords. The facilities for the messenger are to be located in the center of the car between the side doors, and include desk, wardrobe, tools, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, drinking water, lavatory with mirror and toilet.

The as built Allied Full Cushion trucks appear to have remained on these cars throughout their service life. The AFC trucks were not permitted for use on the PRR after a February 1955 wreck blamed on these trucks, but the B&M cars continued in interline service with the NYC, MEC, NH and maybe others until the trucks were completely banned from interchange in the USA in 1959.

Although converted to messenger cars these cars were used in all services. Possibly because of their heritage all converted troop cars on the B&M were refered to as "Jeeps".

Why so many B&M express cars on the New Haven Berkshire Line and how did they get there?    

Prototype photos taken on the Berkshire Line during the mid to late 50's offer proof that various B&M express cars were no straingers to the line.

Express received on Berkshire Line originated from the REA facility at the NHRR Harlem River yard located in the Bronx Borough of NYC. For the why so many B&M cars on the Berkshire; if an empty express car was needed to load for the Berkshire and an empty B&M car was what was available at the REA facility, it was loaded and sent to the Berkshire. Express cars would cycle back to Harlem River REA from the Berkshire. 

Express arrived on the Berkshire daily except Sunday with morning train #140, the 2 express cars from Harlem River REA picked up by #140 en route at South Norwalk CT; See below consist list.  

How did B&M express cars get to the Harlem River REA? The B&M had regularly scheduled express service to/from the REA facility at Harlem River. Westbound B&M train #95 originating at Boston North Station, via - Fitchfield divison main - Deerfield Loop - CT River line to Springfield MA where the cars were interchanged with the NHRR. A 1956 B&M consist list below for train #95, the second car listed destination is Harlem River.

A second B&M express route to Harlem River originating at White River Junction Vermont, via - CT River line to Springfield MA. Consist list below for B&M train #728, third car listed destination is Harlem River. 

 

These 2 routes are outlined in red below. 

Receiving interchanging express cars from the B&M at Springfield MA the NHRR advanced these cars along the CT River to New Haven CT. Below one of the 17 B&M #3260-3276 messenger cars on the head pin south of Springfield 1956.

              R. P. Olmsted photo  

At New Haven CT the B&M cars were assigned to New Haven - Harlem River Railway Express train #63, second and third in the consist below.

This will be the second B&M express car modeled for the layout and possibly not the last, foreign road cars provide an interesting variety to scale express operations.

Car #3266 pictured at the beginning will serve as the prototype for a model build in part 2.

My B&M knowledge is limited, corrections/additions gladly accepted.