Does anyone know a way to decode the serial numbers stamped on the plates on the actual engine? I am trying to date a 567.

Thanks
Paul

Common forms, for older engines and many types of replacement parts:

(year, two digits) - (Month, one letter; A-M, skip "I") - (manufacturing sequence number, usually three digits or four digits)

example: 52-M-123 = (1952) - (December) - (Mfg. No. 123)

Longer form used in recent years:

(year, two digits) - (Month, one letter; A-M, skip "I") (Transaction type, one digit: 1 = new, 2 = repair and return, 3 = unit exchange) - (Shop location code, one digit) (Manufacturing sequence number, three digits).

example: 86-M1-1056 = (1986) - (December) (New) - (La Grange) (Mfg. No. 056)

Engines were done at La Grange and Jacksonville, Florida, Turbos by La Grange, Halethorpe, Maryland and Commerce, California.

PC

Here's a sample, interesting topic.

Hi-resolution link http://www.prrllc.com/images/LV-112-motor-1.jpg

Scott

Now that's a really old one Scott. 567V production (1940 to about 1942) with a straight sequence serial number! And they actually stamped the month and the date on the rebuild plate!

PC

Preston,

That's from the Prime Mover in Lehigh Valley SW1 #112.

Scott

Does that one's crankcase also have a separate serial number stamped into it, that is different from the engine serial number shown on the white plate? Sometimes if it is not on the outside it is on the "A" frames and the bearing caps.

PC

Thanks Preston. Exactly what I needed. The two I needed were 62-L-85 and 62-L-72. Rebuilt plate has them rebuilt in 12-77 as well.

Paul

Yes, both originally built in November 1962.

Identification of production codes during 1960s-1970s, for anyone interested:

1 - La Grange, Illinois
2 - Not used during 1970s
3 - Hazlewood, MO
4 - Outside Vendor
5 - Halethorpe, MD
6 - Commerce, CA
7 - Jacksonville, FL

As far as I know, the branches have all been closed.

How to interpret serial numbers used to be the first couple of slides shown in the engine class at the EMD Training Center.

PC

Slightly OT but has anything changed with the Caterpillar takeover, Muncie opening and London closing? Does LaGrange (McCook) still make engines, generators, and traction motors, and assemble electrical cabinets?

Steve

I have been gone from there for a very long time and am not up to date on where they have everything located presently, but a lot of the electrical rotating production had been pulled out of La Grange years ago and went to London, then some of it ended up in Mexico if I recall correctly. Engine production is still in La Grange. The plant property in Muncie is a pretty big location and probably has the space to absorb some of the manufacturing in addition to the planned locomotive assembly there. Maybe somebody who is more current with Progress Rail and CAT can provide an update and more accurately explain the locations of the various manufacturing activities.

PC

Engine, main alternator and electric locker manufacturing is centered at LaGrange. Traction motor manufacturing was located at London, with some work moved moved to Mexico before the strike and subsequent closure of the London plant.

Underframe and cab manufacture was done at London, with some cabs purchased from an outside supplier. Long hoods also are sourced from an outside supplier.

DPK

I have a similar question about a tag I have. It was removed from a marine engine I worked with and was de-turboed at some point and had Roots Blowers and this tag was still fixed to the right bank of the block. This vessel has been scrapped so I decided to save the tag.

Can someone explain the serial number to me. I have read below and and unless I missed it, I did not see some parts that related to the tag I have. The serial number is 64-H2-1042.

Thank you all in advance.

The same "decoding" as explained in the second post should apply for this part-- 1964, month "H" is October, 1042 is the sequence number.

Howard P.

Thank you Howard P,

Went back and read again and it makes sense. Much appreciated. Wish I had known Preston. I did correspond with Jack Wheelihan at times and he too was very helpful. Lost touch with him in the late 1990s.

Thanks again.

Robert

For the older engines with straight serial numbers, were they all just numbered sequentially or is there a code to the number form?

This one is from CN 7944, a NW2 built in 1946 that is now preserved at the Alberta Railway Museum. One of the few Canadian EMDs that came from La Grange (or perhaps Cleveland), since the London plant hadn't opened yet.