SW900 build/Frame number location....

[TBRED]

Where would you look to find the 5 digit frame or build number on the SW900,1954 vintage?Have located a locomotive but exterior clues hint that it may not possibly be the one that's been eluding us.Soooo,the only other thing I can think of is the frame number to verify or dismiss it.Thanks....

[BR&P]

The order number is usually stamped in the frame just to the left of the steps on the right front and left rear corners. If the loco wears many coats of heavy paint some scraping may be needed. If it's been cornered and repaired, the number may be gone.

[SLSF-JLO]

I realize this is an old posting but this may help others in the future. EMD placed the frame number several more places. On units that have been cornered R/F and L/R the side frame stamping may have been lost for decades. Inside the battery box was an India ink stamp with the frame number. Inside the battery Knife switch compartment was an India ink stamp of the frame number. On the equipment rack was a stamping of the frame number.

The problems with all these areas is obvious. The original battery box rusted away years ago. The knife switch area sometimes survives but often get painted during rewires. The equipment rack could be swapped from another locomotive. If you know a little about the history of the locomotive you can sometimes trace the locomotive through the EMD registers of the past. At one time EMD kept very good records of locomotives as they passed from one RR to another. When the mergers started flying it was impossible and the practice stopped.