Maine Central Freight Cars

Prime Mover of Maine Industry.  In the mid-1960s, repainting and upgrading 40-foot cars was in full swing, with the introduction of the “Prime Mover of Maine Industry” slogan applied to some but not all cars. Alternately, some cars were painted with the block MEC on one end and the rectangular herald on the other. The painting plan was to do every fourth car in yellow.

Nos.	Type	Notes
MEC 1-2	50′ Reefer, Mechanical	PC&F; 4/1965. RCP MEC 1. [Athearn 11105 OR 11157]
MEC 100-149	50′ Box Car	50′ 6″ IL. Magor (Lot W-6001); February 1964. These 50′-6″, 70 ton, box cars were built by Magor (Lot W-6001) in 2/1964. Keystone 20″ cushion underframes (MEC’s first cushioned cars). Delivered in yellow, though did not carry the “Modern Efficient Cushing” slogan that was applied to the subsequent order for the 10000 series cushion cars that followed. They featured 9′ plug doors and 4932 ft3 capacity. RCP MEC 109, CFCG MEC 140.
MEC 1100-1174	50′ Gondola	Evans-SEICO (Order 1263A); 10-11/1975. RCP MEC 1103, RCP MEC 1107, RCP MEC 1118, RCP MEC 1122, RCP MEC 1125, RCP MECC 1136, RCP MECC 1137, RCP MECC 1138, RCP MECC 1143, RCP MECC 1148, RCP MECC 1161, RCP MECC 1164, RCP MECC 1166.
MEC 1400-1599	Pulpwood Car	Magor Car Company 1964. 64′ between outside bulkheads with a centre bulkhead. N Scale Kits. Highball Graphics. RCP MEC 1470.
MEC 1700-1449	Pulpwood Car	Converted from MEC 17000 series low side gons rebuilt in 1968 and 1969 with 8-foot 4-inch bulkheads and wood floors. To carry 44 tons of pulpwood or about 20 cords of wood.
MEC 1900-1914	Pulpwood Car	Rebuilt from MEC 17000 low-side gondolas 55-ton capacity
MEC 2100-2109	Insulated Woodpulp Car	MGR AAR 1937 converted 1959-60 to insulated woodchip cars. RRPA MEC 2102, RRPA MEC 2105.
MEC 2119-2124	Insulated Woodpulp Car	Insulated PS-1 converted from 6500-6759 series in 1966-7.
MEC 2125-2133	Insulated Woodpulp Car	Insulated PS-1 converted from 6500-6759 series in 1961. RRPA MEC 2130.
MEC 2134-2146	Insulated Woodpulp Car	Insulated PS-1 converted from 6500-6759 series by 1965.
MEC 2150-2175	Insulated Woodpulp Car	MGR AAR 1937 converted 1959-60 to insulated woodchip cars.
MEC 2400-2401	2-Bay Covered Hopper	xxxx; xx/19xx
MEC 2406-2409	2-Bay Covered Hopper	xxxx; xx/19xx
MEC 2410-2429	2-Bay Covered Hopper	AC&F (Lot 2338); 4/1942
MEC 2430-2444	2-Bay Covered Hopper	xxxx; xx/19xx
MEC 2445-2459	2-Bay Covered Hopper	PS (Lot 8070); 11/1952
MEC 2460-2474	2-Bay Covered Hopper	Bethlehem Steel Car Co.; 10/1953
MEC 2475-2489	2-Bay Covered Hopper; PS-2	PS (Lot 8195B); 7/1954
MEC 2490-2509	2-Bay Covered Hopper; PS-2	PS (Lot 8360); 6/1957
MEC 2510-2514	x-Bay Covered Hopper	xxxx; xx/19xx
MEC 2700-2729	?	Ex 14000/14500 cars for clay service in 1967/68/
MEC 4248-4249	40′ Box Car	Magor Car Company (MCC) (Lot P9349); 7/1939
MEC 4250-4499	40′ Box Car	Magor Car Company (MCC)(Lot P9300); 8/1939. ARA 1932 design with 6-foot wide Youngstown doors.
MEC 4500-4999	40′ Box Car	Magor Car Company (MCC) Lot P8750; 12/1936
MEC 5000-5199	40′ Box Car; PS-1	ex MEC 6500-6749. CFCG MEC 5005, RRPA MEC 5045, RRPA MEC 5087, RRPA MEC 5101, RCP MEC 5141, CFCG MEC 5170, RRPA MEC 5194. [Micro-Trains – 073 00 120*]
MEC 6000-6249	40′ Box Car	Acquired from Chicago Freight Car Leasing. 40′ 6″ IL with 6-foot wide opening doors and 55-ton trucks. CFCG MEC 6079, RCP MEC 6117.
MEC 6100-6499	40′ Box Car	Magor Car Company (MCC) Lot P9925. AAR 1937 design; 2/1942. From 1956, upgraded with 50-ton trucks creating the 16000-16284 series. In 1959-60, some were converted to insulated cars for woodpulp (2100-2109 and 2150-2175). In 1970 remaining 300 cars were sold, refurbished and leased back as 25000-25299, refurbishing included increasing the door openings from 6′ to 8. No 6100s remained from 1970. {{{CFGC MEC 6116, CFCG MEC 6307, RCP MEC 6332, CFGC MEC 6356, CFCG MEC 6381, RCP MEC 6408. ???}}}
MEC 6500-6749	40′ Box Car; PS-1	The first of two orders for Pullman-Standard 40′ 6″ IL PS-1 (Lot 5877); 10/1947. 7-foot wide superior doors. 200 sold from 1969 and leased back as 5000-5199. In 1961, nine were insulated for woodpulp service. RRPA MEC 6651.
MEC 6850-7000	40′ Pulpwood Rack	ex MEC 4248 with roof removed and sides extended by 1′ between 1961-4. Retired by 1968.
MEC 6900	50′ Pulpwood Gondola	ex MEC 9000 was converted to a pulpwood rack in 1967.
MEC 6910-6934	40′ Pulpwood Gondola	ex MEC 16000’s 40′ AAR 1937 Box Cars with roofs removed in 1967.
MEC 8000-8249	40′ Box Car; PS-1	The second of two orders for Pullman-Standard 40′ 6″ IL PS-1. (Lot 5999A); 5/1951. 7-foot wide Youngstown door. RRPA MEC 8093, CFGC MEC 8191, CFCG MEC 8193, RRPA MEC 8193. [Atlas 50 000 956/Atlas 50 002 653*/Atlas 50 002 654*]
MEC 8400-8599	40′ Box Car	AC&F (Lot 5032); 9/1957 40′ 6″ IL. CFCG MEC 8430.
MEC 8600-8729	40′ Box Car	40′ 6″ IL. Ex Reading, leased for 10 years from Chicago Freight Car Leasing from 1963.
MEC 8730-8774	40′ Box Car	40′ 6″ IL. Ex Reading, leased for 10 years from Chicago Freight Car Leasing from 1963.
MEC 8775-8799	40′ Box Car	40′ 6″ IL. Ex Reading, leased for 10 years from Chicago Freight Car Leasing from 1963.
MEC 8800-8924	40′ Box Car	1967 Lease acquisitions. Rebuilt 40′ 6″ IL cars obtained through Chicago Freight Car Leasing for 10 years. Originally EJ&E’s 60400-60899. CFCG MEC 8922.
MEC 8925-8999	40′ Box Car	1967 Lease acquisitions. Rebuilt 40′ 6″ IL cars obtained through Chicago Freight Car Leasing for 10 years.
MEC 9000-9049	50′ Box Car	1939 Magor Car Co. AAR 1932 design. In 1968 18 were converted to open-top rack cards for woodchip by removing their roofs and extending the sides 2′ 10″. Another was converted in 1967 as 9000.
MEC 9059-9099	50′ Box Car	50′ 6″ IL. Built in 1941. Leased from Chicago Freight Car Leasing from 1962.
MEC 9100-9349	50′ Box Car	50′ 6″ IL from AC&F in 1956. ACF 3-56, 8+8 riveted side panels, 9’ YSD, plain Jane XMs, no loaders, no cushioning. Atlas.
MEC 9350-9549	50′ Box Car	Pullman-Standard PS-1 (Lot 8615); 6/1961. Delivered in Green. The aluminum doors on the 1961 PS-1 cars did not prove to be very durable and most were replaced with various steel doors. These cars served over two decades and were favoured for tissue loading account of their low 50-ton capacity. CFCG MEC 9358.
MEC 9600-9749	50′ Box Car	50′ 6″ IL Magor 1964. 150 MAG 1-64 Lot W-6000. First to be delivered in yellow.
MEC 9800-9899	50′ Box Car	ex MEC 8000-8249; stretched from 40′ to 50′. MEC series 9800-9899; from MEC series 8000-8249 built by Pullman-Standard, Lot 5999A, Mar-May 1951. Built as 40′-6″ IL boxcar, rebuilt (stretched) Aug-74 through Nov-75. CFCG MEC 9853, RCP MEC 9859. CFCG MEC 9867, RCP MEC 9878, CFCG MEC 9896.
MEC 9965-9999	50′ Box Car	50′ 6″ IL. Built in 1941. Leased from Chicago Freight Car Leasing from 1962. CFCG MEC 9969.
MEC 10000-10199	50′ Box Car	fGeneral American Transportation Corp., Lot ___, Mar-65. Hydra-cushioned underframes. Delivered in yellow with “Modern Efficient Cushing” slogan. Early cars came with roofwalks but further into the series the change was made to low brake wheels and no roofwalks. CFCG MEC 10050, CFCG MEC 10114, RCP MEC 10115.
MEC 10200-10399	50′ Box Car	American Car & Foundry, Lot 11-06136, Jan-Feb 1967. 50′ 4″ IL. Freight Saver cushion underframes. CFGC MEC 10227, CFCG MEC 10246, CFCG MEC 10295, CFCG MEC 10315, CFCG MEC 10376, RCP MEC 10389. Used for newsprint loadings by the Maine Paper industry.
MEC 14000-14247?	40′ Box Car
MEC 14248-14249	40′ Box Car	ex MEC 4248-4249 ca. 1/1958
MEC 14250-14499	40′ Box Car	ex MEC 4250-4499 ca. 1/1958
MEC 14500-14999	40′ Box Car	ex MEC 4500-4999 ca. 1/1958
MEC 16000-16224	40′ Box Car	ex MEC 6100-6499 40′ AAR 1937 Box Cars from 1956 after conversion to 50-ton trucks.
MEC 17000-?	Low Sided Gondola
MEC 20000-20149	50′ Box Car	FMC (Lot 17968); 9-10/1979. CFCG MEC 20001, RCP MEC 20002, RCP MEC 20002, RCP MEC 20003, RCP MEC 20005, RCP MEC 20007, RCP MEC 20011, RCP MEC 20018, CFCG MEC 20021, RCP MEC 20028, RCP MEC 20030, CFCG MEC 20032, RCP MEC 20033, RCP MEC 20035, RCP MEC 20035, RCP MEC 20038, CFCG MEC 20042, RCP MEC 20042, CFCG MEC 20044, CFCG MEC 20049, RCP MEC 20049, CFCG MEC 20052, RCP MEC 20053, RCP MEC 20054, RCP MEC 20056, RCP MEC 20058, RCP MEC 20067, RCP MEC 20073, RCP MEC 20079, RCP MEC 20081, RCP MEC 20088, RCP MEC 20089, RCP MEC 20099, RCP MEC 20102, RCP MEC 20108, RCP MEC 20112, RCP MEC 20112, RCP MEC 20123, RCP MEC 20130, RCP MEC 20131, RCP MEC 20135, RCP MEC 20137, RCP MEC 20138, RCP MEC 20141, RCP MEC 20144, RCP MEC 20144, RCP MEC 20144.
MEC 20150-20349	50′ Box Car	FMC (Lot 18170); 10/1980. RCP MEC 20182, RCP MEC 20197, CFCG MEC 20242.
MEC 24000-24104	40′ Box Car	Ex MEC 14000 and 14500. Renovated beginning in 1964, door openings were expanded to 8′. CFCG MEC 24031.
MEC 25000-25299	40′ Box Car	Magor Car Company (MCC) Lot P9925. AAR 1937 design of February 1942. In 1970 300 cars were sold, refurbished and leased back as 25000-25299, refurbishing included increasing the door openings from 6′ to 8. RRPA MEC 25094, RRPA MEC 25170, RRPA MEC 25199, RRPA MEC 25240, RCP MEC 25285.
MEC 27000-27038	50′ Box Car	Leased from General American in 1965 and 1966, built in 1954.
MEC 28000-28004	50′ Box Car	Pacific Car and Foundry 1967. 50′ 7″ IL box cars with Hydra-cushion underframes.
MEC 29000-29229	50′ Box Car	ACFI (Lot 11-06174); 8-9/1970. RCP MEC 29033, RCP MEC 29058, RCP MEC 29072, RCP MEC 29116, RCP MEC 29129, RCP MEC 29168, RCP MEC 29229.
MEC 30000-30249	50′ Box Car	BF&F (Lot 17600); 1-3/1973. Berwick Forge & Fabricating, Lot 17600, Jan-Mar 1973. RCP MEC 30149.
MEC 31000-31249	50′ Box Car	FMC (Lot 17611); 9/1974. RCP MEC 31073, RCP MEC 31093.
MEC 31250-31749	50′ Box Car	FMC (Lot 17660); 10-12/1976. Athearn.
MEC 31750-31899	50′ Box Car	FMC (Lot 17977); 11/1978. RCP MEC 31752, RCP MEC 31752, RCP MEC 31755, RCP MEC 31759, RCP MEC 31760, RCP MEC 31765, RCP MEC 31769, RCP MEC 31774, RCP MEC 31775, RCP MEC 31777, RCP MEC 31783, RCP MEC 31788, RCP MEC 31792, RCP MEC 31794, RCP MEC 31795, RCP MEC 31797, RCP MEC 31799, RCP MEC 31803, RCP MEC 31804, RCP MEC 31809, RCP MEC 31811, RCP MEC 31818, RCP MEC 31829, RCP MEC 31831, RCP MEC 31838, RCP MEC 31840, RCP MEC 31841, RCP MEC 31850…
MEC 31900-32149	50′ Box Car	FMC (Lot 18175); 5-6/1980. Athearn.
MEC 35000-35199	50′ Box Car	BF&F (Lot 46800); 6-7/1981
MEC 57000-57017	50′ Woodchop Gondola	Converted from 1939 Magor Car Co. AAR 1932 design box cars in 1968 to open-top rack cards for woodchip by removing their roofs and extending the sides 2′ 10″. Sliding doors were replaced by hinged plywood doors.

• Highball Graphics F-101 – Maine Central Harvest Yellow 50′ Boxcars
• Highball Graphics F-102 – Maine Central Pine Green 53′ Mill Gons

More Information

• Sweetland, David R., and Stephen Horsley. Northern New England Color Guide to Freight & Passenger Equipment. Morning Sun Books, 1995.