Speaking of not serving any real purpose, I have always wondered why the DRGW installed the engine number indicator boxes. We had similar boxes on the SP (as did the UP) but they were used to show train identification, not engine numbers (unless it was an extra in which case it was the engine number proceeded by an "X"). It seems like a lot of trouble (and maintenance) to simply replicate what is already lit up on the sides of the headlight, and in big numbers painted on the side of the cab. I wonder if any other railroad used boxes like that just for the engine numbers. And the DRGW seemed to have them on some engines but not all. So who is going to write the book on DRGW engine number indicator boxes, the why and what. Just one more interesting little detail that risks getting lost in history.
JBWX