Hi
I just received the Winter 2026 issue of the UPHS “Streamliner”. On page 12 is a photo of UP Train #106 the City of Portland in September 1966.
The caption states that the UP had stopped the practice of displaying the train number in the locomotive number boards by that time.
My question is: when did this practice stop and why. Not only on the UP, but on other roads as well?
I believe, and I could be wrong, UP and SP were about the only roads to display Train Numbers on the locomotive number boards. I believe I heard somewhere, that SP had a Patent on the device they used to display train numbers.
I don’t know the reason that those carriers stopped.
What I do know, is that my carrier (B&O->CSX) changed the methods of operation in the late 1980’s that eliminated the TimeTable & Train Orders form of operation. The method of operation was changed to CTC where it existed or Direct Train Control in unsignaled territory - where trains were granted/released designated Blocks from the Train Dispatcher directly by radio communication. This was accompanied by Computer Aided Dispatching Systems - commonly referred to as CADS.
There’s some information about “Train Indicator Boards” here: (scroll down to the ‘Ts’
Also from Utah Rails:
## Number Boards
For trains operating over AT&SF tracks over Cajon Summit, between Daggett and Riverside, California, Union Pacific trains showed the locomotive number in their number boards, in accordance with AT&SF operating practice.
July 5, 1965
Union Pacific discontinued the use of train number in locomotive indicators. The last train to use train numbers was train #28 that arrived in Omaha. From now on the locomotive number will be displayed and not the train number. The Union Pacific was one of the last railroads to still be using train numbers.
The date of this report was July 5, 1965. Train #28 departed North Platte just after midnight and arrived Omaha 7:00 am - the end of its run. Since the 5th was a Monday, I am guessing the change was effective at 12:01 am, Monday, July 5, 1965.
Scroll almost to the bottom:
Good Luck, Ed
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The CSX CADS tracks trains by their ‘Train ID’ which is specified on their computer ‘Train Sheet’. The Train Sheet contains the names of the crew, the power on there, the lading (loads, empties, tonnage, length - and any special handling instructions that may pertain to the train or specific cars in the train). When it comes to issuing Train Messages or other Mandatory Directives to trains on line of road - they are issued to the lead engine number and the person actually copying the authority (Engineers CAN NOT copy an authority while the train is moving). With Amtrak normally operating Engineer only in the cab, Dispatchers will ask if the Conductor can be brought to the engine to copy the authority - if not, the train must be brought to a stop (normally a passenger stop) for the Engineer to copy it. The lead engine number of a train - no matter the train is IMPORTANT in insuring both the Dispatcher and the Train are on the same page, since it is not THAT uncommon for two trains of the same basic ID to be on the same territory with the difference in their identities being the date of origin - they will not have the same engine consist.
Caltrain (SP Commuter) displayed train numbers on the end coaches long after they were required. Some reports were that commuters could see the number as they approached the 4th and Townsand station entrances??
Entirely appropriate for identification to the public. Not used in Railroad operational rules.
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