What is a "trust plate"

[Anonymous]

I have seen pictures of a "trust plate" on some steam locomotives. In the pictures that I have seen, it is next to the builder's and superheater plates.

Anything you can tell me about these would be most appreciated,
Daniel

[SSW9389]

Railroads used to and still may finance equipment purchases through banks with an equipment trust. The trust gets the financing together with the equipment covered by the trust. Large banks offer shares of the trust for sale. The trust would pay a certain return to the investors and would often be for a term of 15 years. A trust plate would identify which piece of railroad equipment belonged to a certain trust.

If you have a good reference library in your area look for Moody's Investor manuals on transportation. I am reading from a 1949 Moody's Steam Railroads to answer this question.

[AltonFan]

In the 1970s, and perhaps into the 1980s, I recall seeing C&NW equipment with trust information stenciled onto the sides. (IIRC, the information was stenciled on both double-deck commuter cars and some freight equipment. Don't remember it on locomotives, though.)

[Anonymous]

Dear SSW9389 and AltonFan,
Tank you very much for the information. It is most appreciated.
-Daniel