With the timber industry finding new applications for wood chips, previously burned as waste, the railroad industry swiftly developed economical transport methods. By adding extension boards to standard 70-ton coal hoppers, many railroads could accommodate this new type of cargo. Some railroads opted for flat-side extensions made from steel or a composite of steel and plywood, while others chose rib-sided extensions.
Gondola
Allagash
A
Bangor & Aroostook
B
Boston & Maine
In New England, from the 1950s to the 1970s, the “Woodsville hoppers” were a common sight in the B&M system. These were essentially 70-ton B&M hopper cars slightly modified for wood chip service and based out of Woodsville, NH. They could be seen everywhere, from Portland on the Maine Central system to southern Connecticut on the New Haven Railroad.
Lorden Lumber in Milford, NH. Outbound loaded woodchip cars were shipped to a paper mill in Berlin, NH.
Woodsville N.H.
- BM 7506 – https://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=bm7506&o=bm
- BM 7512 – http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?2010052823055510323.jpg
Maine Central
- MEC 6944 – http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?200807202229008304.jpg
- MEC 55509 – https://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=mec55509&o=mec
- MEC 55511 – https://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=mec55511&o=mec
- MEC 55555 – https://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=mec55555&o=mec
| Number | I.L. | I.H. | Built | ? | Colour | Builder |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57000-57017 (18) | 50ft 7in | 12ft 6in | Jan 1939 | Open Top Box – Extended Sides | Green with yellow letters | Converted from 9000-9049 series 1966 |
| 56050-56052 (3) | 40ft 7in | 12ft 6in | Jan 1932 | Open Top, 8ft Door – Extended Sides | Converted from 5000-6003 series, 1966 | |
| 56001-56005 (5) | 40ft 6in | 9ft 0in | Jan 1932 | Open Top, 8ft Door | Converted from 36000-36300 series, 1963 | |
| 55500-55561 (62) | 40ft 5in | 12ft 6in | Jan 1944 | Open Top Box, Extended sides | Maine Central Pine Green | 4000, 5000, 14000 series, 1964 |
| 1896-1899 (4) | 40ft 8in | 13ft 0in | Jan 1932 | 3 Bay Hopper, Extended sides | Purchased from BAR 1960 | |
| 1890-1893 (4) | 41ft 3in | 13ft 2in | Jan 1932 | 4 Bay Hopper, Extended sides in wood | Converted from 3500-3504, 1963 | |
| 118-122 (5) | 40ft 8in | 13ft 0in | Jan 1956 | PTM Tripple Hopper, steel extended sides and ends. 4800 cu. ft. capacity | Black with yellow letters | Converted 1962 |
| 101-117 (17) | 40ft 8in | 13ft 0in | Jan 1956 | PTM Tripple Hopper, wood extended sides and ends. 4800 cu. ft. capacity | Black with yellow letters | Converted 1962 |