Jim,
Every EMD locomotive was delivered with a builder's plate. There were
no exceptions. I believe all other manufacturers did the same thing.
The EMD plate evolved over the years in design and style. The so
called "football" plate was used the longest. The builder's plate
was standard no matter what RR the locomotive was being delivered to.
The model designation plates, while available from EMD, were not
standard equipment. They were customer choice and most RRs didn't
choose to display them as they had their own designation for the
locomotive model. I believe that the Q started using them in the mid
to late '50s. I don't know what triggered that decision.
As for the small "F" symbol at one end of the unit, that also was
standard equipment from the beginning and was an ICC and later FRA
requirement. The regulations states that the front of a locomotive
shall be identified. Even when both ends were the same such as a "B"
unit, a GG1 electric or a GE center cab switcher, they had to have
one end designated as the front. Locomotives that generally were
operated long hood forward, such as PRR, GN or the Southern, had the
"F" indicator at that end. Even the wiring diagrams that EMD created
for these RRs was modified so that the traction motors were
identified in the opposite order with the #1 motor at the long hood
end. Of course, during the years of service, some of the plates and
designations disappeared via accident, theft, etc., so some photos of
a particular locomotive may not exhibit a builder's plate because it
had disappeared.
Bill Barber
On Feb 4, 2008, at 9:29 AM, CBQ@yahoogroups.com wrote:
> Lettering on E & F Units
> Posted by: "JAS SCHWARZ" jas.schwarz@sbcglobal.net jimschwarz1947
> Sun Feb 3, 2008 10:18 am (PST)
>
> 1. When were the "Builder Plates" put on these locomotives? (EMD, etc)
>
> 2. When were the ""Unit Identification Plates" put on these
> locomotives. (E7, E8, E9, i e)
>
> And fianlly,
>
> 3. When were the "F" symbol plates attached to these units.
>
> Never could understand #3, as it isn't too difficult to tell the
> front from the rear of an E or F unit!!!
>
> Thanks
>
> Jim Schwarz
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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