Proper term for panel containing locomotives id numbers?

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

What is the proper term for this panel indicated below with numbers 274?
I have some Stewart F3s/F7s where this is blank, what is good solution for getting decals or dry-transfer numbers for these?

Thanks!

F7

2

Everybody called them number boards.

3

Microscale makes number decals you can use. Other companies also, I am sure.

Ed

4

Except when they’re used as train indicators. UP & SP (and maybe other “Harriman Roads”) used them to post the train number. So they might say “12” for train number 12, “2-4” for second section of train number four or “X1234” (X followed by the locomotive number) for Extra (unscheduled train) number 1234.

Here UP locomotive 930 leads train 108

up930_up.jpg (750×580) (railarchive.net)

Big Boy 4003 heads up an extra

181f0dd7a1fb810d6aea11a10b4bd389.png (1000×679) (pinimg.com)

5

On modern engines where they are at roof level they are commonly called bugboards. You can get 3 different types of decals.

  1. Black numbers on white background

  2. White numbers on black background

  3. Clear number’s on black background that can be backlit

6

I have never once heard that before this post.

If you’re looking for decals to fix up a model, they will 100% be called “Numberboards” in the set description(s).

7

Except when a company like Champ makes them; I remember seeing ‘bugboard’ sets in both HO and O scale.

I suspect this may be a ‘regional’ thing. I too never heard them called anything but numberboards.

8

I remember reading stories in Trains magazine during the 1950s, where a crew member (fireman or head end brakeman) had to change the “bugboard numbers” at the end of the run. Soon, when a tender is mentioned, the thought will go automatically to a piece of boneless chicken.