I'm helping Jim Herron who is taking charge of cosmetically restoring 3749 down in Parrish, FL. He's asked me what is cast into the coonskin. The numbers are evident, but I don't know what subsidiary initials are cast in and for some reason I can't track it down. Can somebody fill in the blanks.
Don, I would suspect Karl Brand or Chris Abernathy may be holding the cards on this one, however, somewhere I think I have seen an explanation of the markings... Take a look at this thread: http://www.frisco.org/vb/showthread.php?2996-Frisco-3695&highlight=number+board
I know what the markings mean Keith, but I'm not sure what subsidiary they were "built for" and whose initials are cast into the plate. The original is missing and he wants to have a new one cast. I'll have to hunt up my old diagram books and see if it tells me there. He has colorized an old Frank Ardrey photo of the 3749 at Birmingham. Sure looks good.
Don, I have a copy of a 1908 Description of Locomotives book. The 3749 was originally a STL&SF locomotive so the upper block should be blank as this is where the previous road number would have been stamped such as a a KCFS&M number prior to renumbering to STL&SF. The lower centered casting should be STL&SF as this was the original purchaser. Jeff
Sorry, Don. I didn't read your post clearly. The Diagram Books on this site indicate that she was built for the SLSF: http://www.frisco.org/vb/showthread...omotive-Diagram-Book-Museum-Version-1880-1943 http://www.frisco.org/vb/showthread.php?5651-Steam-Locomotive-Diagram-Book-1880-1942 I took some time away from my post while I was composing it and have now discovered I am late to the party.
Thanks guys. That's all I could turn up but most everything I had seen with a cast plate like this had a subsidiary's initials on it. I don't recall seeing one that just had St.L&SF on it. Not sure what that is below the 9. I'll pass this along.
Don, I am pretty sure there is a picture and explanation of the special coonskin in Frisco Power. I am at the wrong computer, but the little 2-6-0 Ex J LC & E engine has such a number plate that I took a picture of. I can send it to the group tomorrow when I get on my desktop upstairs. Right now I am on my RR computer in the basement.