Little slices of history
The stories told by locomotive number plates
Miller & Miller’s December 8th auction of Advertising & Historic Objects contains include two Canadian National Railway number plates.
Locomotive number plates are more than just ‘locomotive license plates’. They’re tangible connections to the history of railroading. Typically cast in metal, these plates were mounted prominently on locomotives to designate their unique number within a railway's roster. Each plate served as a kind of calling card, tracing the locomotive’s origin, purpose, and often its travels across vast rail networks.
Plates from railways like the Canadian National Railway, with its massive network crossing Canada, bore witness to rugged landscapes and bustling towns in a bygone era when railroads were the backbone of transportation.
Many number plates are not only beautiful but also hold clear and traceable stories. Each reveals details like a locomotive's construction date, builder, operational history, and even its ultimate fate – an entire history in just a few digits.
For collectors, acquiring a locomotive number plate means the opportunity to hold that history in their hands – a chance to preserve and marvel at the story of that particular locomotive and all the sights it would have seen. This historical connection has made locomotive number plates a sought-after treasure in railway memorabilia.
December 7th and 8th sees two exciting auctions from Miller & Miller. The Advertising & Historic Objects Auction on December 8th, continues Miller & Miller's tradition of showcasing remarkable locomotive number plates with two outstanding examples, each having a unique story to tell.
For collectors of the Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR), locomotive plate number 2497 tells an interesting tale. By 1917, the CNoR had already completed its transcontinental railway, but was facing financial ruin. The Canadian government obtained control of the railroad and managed it through the Canadian Government Railways (CGR).
In 1918, the CNoR received fifty 2-8-0 Consolidations of the N-2-B variety. These freight locomotives, renowned for their stability and climbing ability, saw extensive service in Western Canada.
That same year, in December 1918, the CNoR's end was announced. It would merge with the CGR. This merger, delayed by logistics and government involvement, was finalized in 1923 when the CNoR name disappeared forever. The new Canadian National Railway (CNR) inherited CNoR's locomotives, including their numbering system and number plate style.
Most CNoR locomotives, however, required number plates to be recast to reflect their rebranding under CNR. Locomotive 2497 was an unusual exception. Rather than recasting its plate, the "NORTHERN" portion of the plate was carefully cut out and replaced with a professionally welded "NATIONAL". A field modification, this approach was relatively unusual and likely a result of operational needs or limited facilities in the area.
The resulting plate stands out from the vast majority of Canadian National plates as containing ‘true CNoR metal’ when so many were simply discarded and recast. As such, these modified types are not often seen at auction, making this example noteworthy and historically significant.
Locomotive number plate 5558 tells a very different story. It belonged to just the second locomotive built by the Grand Trunk Railway (GTR) of the 4-6-2 ‘Pacific’ K-3 type. Likely operating in Eastern Canada, this locomotive, built in 1911, was part of a celebrated passenger train era – the fastest and safest way to travel at the time.
The 4-6-2 Pacifics, known for their speed, formed an important part of service on the Grand Trunk line. This locomotive type proved so effective that it remained in service right up until the end of the steam era. Locomotive 5558 was scrapped in 1960 as diesel engines replaced steam.
Though originally numbered 204 under the GTR system, this locomotive was renumbered after its reassignment to the CNR. Its plate was recast to match the CNR's brand and numbering system – likely around 1923.
This plate represents a piece of a locomotive that once ferried passengers on long journeys, bearing witness to their hurried goodbyes and heartfelt welcomes at bustling train stations. It is a relic of a locomotive long since scrapped, yet its story endures.
It’s no surprise that number plates continue to fascinate collectors. Each one holds a story with a deep connection to the locomotive to which it was attached. More than just a piece of metal, these number plates are enduring symbols of industrial ingenuity and the journeys that connected people and places.
A little slice of history.
Story by Kevin Nesbitt
Kevin Nesbitt is a historian and avid collector of railroad items including one of the country's finest collection of stock certificates.
Sale Details:
Advertising & Historic Objects
Featuring the late John Michael Durrant Collection
September 8, 2024 | 9am EST
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