Hi, everyone…
I’m in the process of painting and lettering some Bessemer and Lake Erie F-7s and I came upon the dilemma of where the EMD builders plate should be attached. Sometimes I see them on the left [fireman’s] side and sometimes they’re on the right! I am assuming a locomotive had only one builders plate? Can anyone tell me if there was a “standard” location and were there ever instances where there was a builders plate on BOTH sides of the locomotive?
I’m not one of those “rivet counters” but I’d like to get my locomotive roster as accurate as possible…
Thanks, ED
If I’m not mistaken , on a steam engine the builders plates were on both sides, I really can’t remember where they are on a diesel, I would guess there is no written rule on location, each builder to his own, also, getting builder plate locations, and your loco as accurate as possible is getting pretty, pretty close to be classified as a “rivet counter”
The latest Athearn F units, both Genesis and normal RTR, have (painted) EMD builder’s plates in the right location. For A units this is at frame level on both cab sides. For an F unit the ‘stretched oval’ shaped plate was used, not the current rectangular plate. Just check one out at the LHS.
Peter
EMD locomotives were supplied with a builder’s plate on each side. They went
through evolution-on early EMC and EMD units (early switchers and FTs) they
were rectangular in shape. I believe that with the introduction of the F3, the
familiar oval plate was introduced. In 1966-1967, the oval plate was replaced
with the rectangular plate with the familiar white (or silver) on blue interlocked
EMD logo. This lasted well into the 80s.
Thanks…
I’ve studied many photos (rr-fallenflags.org) and found instances of both left and right side applications… I like the looks of having a builder’s plate so I guess I’ll put one on both sides, you can only see one side at a time, right!
Does anyone know which diesel data sheet from Microscale has the EMD oval builder’s plates. Have a couple w/ various data/ safety, but no oval plate for some WM "F"s. Can’t make out some of the small decals from the catalogue or online.
Bob K.
There seems to be a choice of two. Either 87-48 or 87-134. My photographic
memory-(now where did I put that film?)- tells me that 48 would be my best
guess. I’ve used them myself and they are nice-but there aren’t very many
oval EMD plates on the sheet-I think about 4 pairs. It would sure be nice
if Microscale or somebody would do a sheet with nothing but builder’s
plates. Hope this helps.
The EMD/GMD G12’s and G8’s that we received in New Zealand had a plate on each side below the cab. These plates had a habit of getting ‘nicked’ so may ran with only one plate which was on either side.
Rick,
Your photographic memory is intact. I have the Microscale sheet in front of me and it is 87-48 and true, there’s only SIX EMD ovals but over 60 “model designation plates” i.e. GP-7, E-8 etc. I guess that’s how to sell decals. I’m not familiar with the 87-134 sheet.
Thanks to everyone for your input… now a curve ball! Where were the builders plates located on B units?
Ed
Good info as I’d like to put builders plates on the cowls and GE U-Boats I’m repainting and/or detailing.
High Greens.