Which of the following phrases correctly denotes the required identification for trains and engines?

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

Answer: (C)

The essential idea here is how a locomotive is uniquely identified in railroad operations. Each engine carries a road number plus the railroad’s identifying initials (its reporting marks). This combination—the initials for the railroad and the engine’s number—provides a unique identifier for every locomotive across the system. That’s why the phrase “Initial and number of the engine” is the correct way to denote identification for trains and engines. For example, you might see CN 1234, where CN are the initials (Canadian National) and 1234 is the engine’s number.

Other options don’t provide this unique, unambiguous identification: engine type and horsepower describes capabilities, not identity; train name and destination describes service, not the specific locomotive; and crew initials and run number pertain to personnel and assignments, not the engine itself.