builder/boiler numbers

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

>>>SNIP
Addressing Rod Peisker's request about builder's numbers for N & W Class J
4-8-4 locomotives, the same tabulation shows:

    The 600 - 604 had boiler numbers 311 - 315
    The 605 - 610 had boiler numbers 347 - 352
    The 611 - 613 had boiler numbers 388 - 390

Although this tabulation uses the term "boiler number," the more common
terms are "builder's number," "builder number" or "construction number"
usually depending on the builder.

Gordon Hamilton
===========
Don''t know what US practice was, but the Brits assigned a construction number that was related to the frame,etc.  All boilers were individually numbered with values totally unrelated to the locomotive build number.  I have several books for GWR and LNER loco class histories that show specific boilers [by number] being moved from one locomotive to another, usually within the same class.  Some of the locos lasted long enough that they were reboilered two or three times.  

Jim Stapleton