Hey All,
Did the railroads start using fiberglass number boards? I have a board numbered 7949 that is made of fiberglass. My Dad got it from a guy who said it is from a steam locomotive, but I am not so sure. It is meant to be illuminated for behind.
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It looks to be from a diesel. Perhaps a PC or CR GP38-2 by that number. Doug
Excuse my ignorance, but what is a PC and a CR GP38-2?
Kelpieflyer posted:Excuse my ignorance, but what is a PC and a CR GP38-2?
PC = Penn Central
CR = Conrail
GP38-2 is an upgraded version of the EMD GP38 diesel-electric locomotive.
Fiberglass was developed by Owens-Corning in the mid-thirties, but wide-spread use of it wasn't until the 1950s.
Large back lit number board on a GP-7
BobbyD, Funny how I can remember an engine number from years ago, but I can't remeber what I had for dinner last night! Doug
Fiberglas number boards started showing up in the mid-1970's N&W was an early user, and they glued thin black plastic numbers onto the white fiberglas with some kind of iron glue, to eliminate ever repainting the boards.
Diesel number boards were glass until phased out around 1985. The exterior glass was clear. The painted glass was frosted, mounted behind the exterior sheet.
Yours is a contemporary type, and came from a diesel locomotive. Most are painted black, with white numerals, like yours, but some are white with black numbers.
Thanks for the information. Dad has one just like it and the number is 8017. He found an image of a steam engine with that number.. I figure it's probably another one for a diesel.
"iron glue" ??? I remember that from the 40's. It was a brand name, McCormick's Iron Glue. My father used it always, but it sure came apart when wet.
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