Dominion Atlantic Railway locomotives were distinguished by beautifully cast number plates which included a crown, indicating Royal Consent surrounded by a heraldic belt with the railway's name. Early versions used simple block numbers while later versions had numbers with curving serifs. Many of the later plates were probably the work of Reginald R. Redden Senior who worked in the DAR's Moulding Department from 1912 until his retirement as chief mould maker on May 31, 1938. He created the DAR's name plates which appeared in the 1930s.^[1] The number plates appear to have been painted both red and black at different times. Number plates 1 to about 22 were a block lettering style. Numbers 23 and upwards used a curvier typeface. A handful have been preserved. Later locomotives transferred bore the more basic CPR style rectangles.

A close examination of the surviving number plate to No. 32 Blomidon reveals the following information:

• Width: 17 1/16 inch
• Height: 25 inches
• Letters are 5 inches high
• Thickness: 3/8 inch
• Weight: 32 lbs

The plate is cast, but numbers appear to be brazed on, re-enforced by pins which attach through holes in the casting. A wide lug in the centre attached to the smoke box door of the locomotive through a threaded steel bolt.

References