Locomotive Model Numbers in Singular and Plural
Railroad locomotives have model numbers such as K4 and K4s. If I use "s" to make them plural (K4s and K4ss), it is not clear whether those are plurals or model numbers. What is the proper method for making them plural and not confusing?
Top answer
g. Two (model) K4s locomotives are in the switching yard. Two locomotives, model K4s, are in the switching yard.
- g.
- Two (model) K4s locomotives are in the switching yard.
- Two locomotives, model K4s, are in the switching yard.
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e.g.
Two (model) K4s locomotives are in the switching yard.
Two locomotives, model K4s, are in the switching yard.
0Just as in the case of a (model) 747 airplane, using a lowercase "s" is the proper way to signify the plural form of a particular model.
See https://afterdeadline.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/13/faqs-on-style/
(scroll down to the paragraph discussing the (model) 747
0You use an apostrophe for lowercase letters, like "p's and q's", so it would make sense to use them here, but if you have already made it clear that the number is "K4", "K4s" is good enough. If the model is "K4s", I'm going to go ahead and make the plural "K4s's", and devil take the hindmost.
0I understand what you mean, but as the article indicates, in the case of the model of an airplane (like a 747), no apostrophe should be used.
0
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