Anyone have the measurements of a rectangular Reading Railroad number plate, as applied to steam locomotive smokeboxes? Perhaps an illustration as well?

Richard,

The Reading / CNJ used identical cast iron backer plates of two sizes. The four digit plates were 26 1/2" X 8 1/2" X 1". The three digit plates were 20 1/2" X 8 1/2" X 1". I designed a two digit plate used on CNJ 113's tender which is 14 3/4" X 8 1/2" X 1". I have a copy of the official drawings obtained from the RCT&HS which illustrate the four and three digit plates.

The back of the plates contain a series of ribs and the plates are attached to the locomotive with two 3/4" threaded holes spaced 10" to centers.

I don't know your reason for wanting these dimentions, but if it is to make full sized reproductions, don't bother as Railway Restoration Project 113 has foundry patterns for all three sizes and all the numerals. We don't actively market these and mostly use the reproductions as trading fodder for locomotive parts or help of some sort. One will be going on a fireless locomotive in a museum in NJ. Reading and Northern 425's new front end look is accented with a plate that originated with Project 113. There are a few others out there.

If you give me your email address, I could send you photos of some of this stuff. If you want to discuss this further, call Bob Kimmel at the Minersville Station at 570-544-8300. We have some castings laying around, but if anything has to be cast new, it usually takes FOREVER. Also, this stuff is not cheap.

Bernie Perch

Bernie: Very kind of you to be so willing to assist. That seems to be the rule in RYPN!
No, I am not making full-size castings, although I'd bet resin copies would move, especially if people selected the locomotive numbers they wished to own. I have a 1/8th live steamer of a Reading A5a Camelback, and I want to add a number plate. Since the nature of live steam is to make it in scale, I needed the dimensions in order to have one cast. For the record, she's going to be #1179 .

I'll PM my private email addy to you, and thank you.

Richard