This is a vintage 1948 General Motors Locomotives Electro-Motive Division (E-M) Builders Plate showing a date of 10-18-48, Class 0-4-4-0, and Serial #20397. The stainless steel sign measures 15" wide x 4 1/8" x 1/16" thick.
General Motors' Electro-Motive Division (EMD) produced builder's plates for its locomotives. These plates, typically rectangular and made of stainless steel, featured the EMD logo, locomotive model, serial number, and production date. They were affixed to popular models like the F7, GP7, and GP9, which were instrumental in phasing out steam locomotives. The shift to stainless steel from cast bronze began in the early 1940s, reflecting a standardized design by the 1950s. These plates are now valued by collectors as historical artifacts of EMD's mid-century success.
The builders plate is in good condition consistent with it's age and use, showing tarnish, corrosion, scratches, mars, and some significant bending, warping, paint marks. See photos for exact condition.
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