PLATE, LICENSE

Description: RECTANGULAR, STEEL, BLACK BOX. TWO SIDES OF BOX HAVE GLASS INSERTS. BENEATH THE GLASS "M-602" IS CUT INTO A PIECE OF BLACK METAL, IN STENCIL SHAPES. THE BOX RESTS ON FOUR FEET. EACH SET OF TWO FEET, (ONE ON EACH END) ARE MADE OUT OF A SINGLE PIECE OF METAL THAT HAS BEEN BENT AT TWO OPPOSITE 90 DEGREE ANGLE ON EACH END. EACH FOOT HAS A HOLE IN IT, FOR SECURING A SCREW. THE TOP OF THE BOX SITS OVER THE BASE AND IS SCREWED ON AT EACH END. ON THE BOTTOM, TWO BARE SCREWS STICK OUT OF CENTRE OF BOX. BETWEEN THESE, A CUT PIECE OF COPPER WIRE COVERED IN RED RUBBER, STICKS OUT OF BOX. BOTTOM OF FEET ARE COVERED WITH CORK.

History: AN ILLUMINATED NUMBER PLATE FROM TRACK MOTOR CAR M-602; THE PLATE WAS USED TO IDENTIFY THE C.P.R.'S TRACK INSPECTION CAR. THE PIECE ORIGINALLY BELONGED TO THE C.P.R., AND WAS DONATED TO ART DAWSON SR. FROM THE LETHBRIDGE C.P.R. SUPERINTENDENT. ART DAWSON SR. GAVE IT TO ART DAWSON JR. AND FROM THERE IT WAS GIVEN TO DOUG WINFIELD. THE DONOR HAS AN INTEREST IN LOCAL RAILWAY HISTORY. HE MOVED TO SOUTHERN ALBERTA IN 1980 FOR BUSINESS AND A DESIRE FOR THE MILD CLIMATE. *NOTE* DONOR DOES NOT WISH TO BE IDENTIFIED WHEN ARTIFACT IS DISPLAYED.