Locomotive Number Plates

[Keith Hayes]

A question for the group: Overland imported the B-3-Cs with red number plates and gold numbers on the smoke box door.

Is this prototypical,  or just what someone thought would look nice? Seems odd to me.

#8 is at the water plug prior to heading east with the Denver passenger. The Engineer is oiling around while the Fireman waves to a friend as he alights the tender.

[Charles McMillan]

Keith,
In my collection of Color photos of the C&S I have not seen a number plate painted in anything but black with white lettering.
This includes just one of photo of C&S # 9 in color during the last years of the C&S.
Charles McMillan

[Jim Courtney]

Nice addition of C&S number 8 to the roster!

Looks like one of the Overland locomotives that didn't sell for a while. Tom Marsh had a number of such locomotives "custom painted", hoping to sell them. The red number plate color was the painters idea of what looked good.

IMHO, all the Overland etched number plates have numbers that are far too large.











I'm planning on painting my number plates black, outer ring brass, with small white or aluminum letters in roman font.

A few C&S locomotives appear to have raised numbers on the front number plate, in a Gothic font:





I can't tell if the raised numbers were painted or not.

[Keith Hayes]

Thanks, Jim and Charles.

I converted my loop to DC and ran 8 around the loop. Though I believe these models are from the 1990 run, this engine will require some lubrication and running-in in order to run smoothly. And without sound there is a noticeable grind. The larger drivers really cause this loco to move down the track--not quite as fast as the really big drivers on a T-12, but

While it is nice not to have to paint the locomotive, the cab glazing is done in such a way that the windows are now fixed closed. And there is that number plate, which can easily be fixed. I will add a coal rake, clinker bar and flue auger...and the spare coal scoop!

This will make a nice addition to the roster. It will go back in the box to get converted to DCC, sound and some lights one day. Then it will be ready for whatever assignment calls. An endearing quality of the South Park is that the roadmaster was not particular about power: whatever was in the roundhouse and ready got sent out on the next train! Number 8 was just as apt to be assigned to the next four-engine freight to Leadville as it was the tri-weekly passenger.

[John Greenly]

Congrats, Keith, on your fine #8!  

And Jim,  that collection of number plate photos is very useful,  and not just for  the number plates-  it's the best collection of views of the smokebox door dogs!  Now I really know exactly how they were shaped and the angle of the bolt into the smokebox front, etc.  Thank you!!

John

[Mike Trent]

Hi Keith! Nice addition!

Black plate, painted number. 4", as I recall. White is my preference over silver. The fanciful etched inserts with oversized numbers were straight from MS Models.

No red on C&S plates while in service.