How compagnies (model manufacturers) choose the number to put on their model? Do they randomly pick up a number from the roster of the company who's beeing modeled OR Do they choose the number of an engine who has some "historical feature" behind it? Yvan-Martin
I don't know about all of 'em - but Athearn has taken care in their new SD40-2's to ensure that the major spotting features match up with specific locomotive numbers. (there are exceptions as the SD40-2's were produced with several different short hoods and the Athearn model only comes with one) However, of course there will usually be several numbers in a series. I would not expect the manufacturers would randomly select a number - but would number the engine to match a photograph they have on file. That is how I select numbers for my locos.
Anyone interested, Most times when a company makes a steam loco it is one with some history. The diesels are different when they make one, they get the series of number that type diesel was in and pick a number from the number roster. Famuos steam loco's get made for the fact of the history they hold. Diesels, I don't yet understand if they keep a record of the history behind them or not.... I know they did though with steam loco's....
