Class BE55B was originally delivered to the EL in two groups, both built by General American. The first group in 1964 was composed of 75 cars, 60 equipped with interior load-dividers and 15 more with DF-2 interior belt loaders. The second group in 1965 had 30 cars with the DF-2 belt loaders and 50 with load dividers. All cars were insulated.
