OT: Round vs Rectangular Smokebox Number Plates

Just an OT observation that all the C-16s and C-19s seem to have been delivered with round brass smokebox number plates, but many (most?) of these were changed to rectangular even during the diamond stack era. Was there a reason? It’s not like a number plate would wear out. Maybe polishing all that brass became too much of a chore. I admit being partial to the round number plates for some reason, and it’s great that many of them survived the transition.

I also note a couple home made jobs, like on 347 here if the link works [ngdiscussion.net]

Cheers,
Ralph



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/16/2021 04:31PM by tgbcvr.