Which of the following is the correct identification for trains and engines?

• A. Engine type and horsepower
• B. Initial and number of the engine
• C. Train name and destination
• D. Crew initials and route

Answer: (B)

The way locomotives are uniquely identified on the railroad is by the road’s initials (the reporting marks) combined with the engine’s road number. This two-part ID is printed on the locomotive and is used in all dispatches, yard orders, and records, so every engine can be identified unambiguously. The engine’s type or horsepower describes its capabilities, not its unique identity, and a train’s name and destination can change or be shared by different trains, so they aren’t reliable stand-alone identifiers. Crew initials and route aren’t used to identify a specific engine or train in records or communications. So the best choice is the engine’s initial and number.