What does the "X" mean on some lcomotives' number plates?

Posted by Anonymous

on Sun, May 16 2004 1:08 PM

On some locomotives, like the Union Pacific Challanger, there is a capital X placed before the locomotive's number, like X2940. What does this mean? I thought it ment "excursion," but am I wrong?

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Posted by jeffhergert

on Sun, May 16 2004 2:52 PM

The X stood for extra. The Union Pacific and some other railroads used the number boards to identify trains. In the pre track warrant days when trains ran by timetable and train order, regular trains would have a time table schedule and a number, for example, No 57. Trains that were not scheduled ran as extras, authorized by train order or special instructions in double track or CTC territory (depends on a particular rr's rules).
Extras were identified by engine number and direction, for example Extra 2940 West.
The UP and others would put an X for the extras, or the train number (57) in the lighted number boards. If a train ran in sections, they would put "1-57" "2-57" etc.
Now all trains (I don't know about Amtrack, my territory is frt only) are identified by the initials of the lead unit plus the lead unit number and direction. example UP 2940 West.
The word extra no longer appears on track warrants or bulletins. Once in a while, a track foreman will use the word extra in clearing trains thru work areas, but it's just habit since the General Code of Operating Rules no longer uses the term extra.

Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH

on Mon, May 17 2004 8:34 AM

As far as I know, only Alaska, Union Pacific, Southern Pacific and FC Pacifico (formerly Southern Pacific of Mexico) used train numbers in the locomotive's number boards.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul

Posted by tree68

on Fri, May 21 2004 8:52 PM

I still hear "extra" used on Form D's on CSX...

Larry Whistling
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Posted by Anonymous

on Sat, May 22 2004 6:37 PM

In Canada all "Extras" used to carry white flags on either side of the locomotive, I think that happened in the sates too?

Posted by guilfordrr

on Sun, May 23 2004 10:04 AM

You're right, macguy, white flags also meant "extra" in the U.S.

Posted by Anonymous

on Wed, May 26 2004 8:14 AM

ach, you learn somehting new every day, beisdes what is an "extra' locomotive?

Posted by Anonymous

on Wed, May 26 2004 7:54 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by kevinstheRRman

ach, you learn somehting new every day, beisdes what is an "extra' locomotive?

It was an extra train, any train that was not on a regular schedule was considered an "extra".

As railways slowly got away from scheduled trains there became more and more extras, and eventually "extras" just became the norm and they no longer needed to be identified.

I believe "extras" continued to run in Canada up until the early 1970s.