Daguerreotype Image Question

[meconicuk]

Hello Curtis.

I'm hoping you or a member of this forum can help me with the following...

The first image shows a 4-6-0 of the NY & Erie RR circa late 1850's.

What caught my eye is the board mounted on the front of the Engine.
I've never seen this feature before and was wondering what it was used for?
...(An Excursion or a Special Working train?)
When you reverse the image the board seems to read '3'.

Any help you can provide will be most welcome.

Mac.

[Pencil]

Very interesting - no, I haven't seen anything like that before, sorry

[meconicuk]

Found the info' I wanted on another Forum.

The 'headboard' represents some kind of Special Working much the same as UK practise.

The YATES ran on 6' gauge track so should make an unusual modelling subject.

Mac.