Today i fitted my home made temporary train number boards, these fell out of use on UP around 1920-30 ish, the font is the original UP roman and this was made (apart from the X and - from original stencils that i found down behind the cupboards in 2516....the intention is to build the lamp holders and glass screens so we can illuminate these as per original. I also plan to build the cupola mounted lantern as well, removable of course as it will take the caboose to about 16ft !

Mike Pannell

The number slides in the cupola would indicate the identification of the train that it was attached to. "X-2248" would mean an extra train headed by locomotive number 2248.

Out of curiosity I looked up Union Pacific #2248. I found the answer on the UtahRails.net website roster page for 2-8-2 numbers 2200-2499

It is a heavy 2-8-2 built by Lima in October 1914 as #748 and then renumbered in 1915 to #2248. Vacated (retired) in February 1948.

Mike, very nice work.

I bet back in the day the train crews really appreciated knowing for sure what train they just passed in a siding, for example.

Kevin.