diff --git a/engine.c b/engine.c
index 951d5f77c7..7286e0c808 100644
--- a/engine.c
+++ b/engine.c
@@ -119,12 +119,12 @@ void StartupEngines()
 {
 	Engine *e;
 	const EngineInfo *ei;
-	uint32 r;
+	uint32 r, counter = 0;
 
 	SetupEngineNames();
 
 
-	for(e=_engines, ei=_engine_info; e != endof(_engines); e++,ei++) {
+	for(e=_engines, ei=_engine_info; e != endof(_engines); e++, ei++, counter++) {
 		e->age = 0;
 		e->railtype = ei->railtype_climates >> 4;
 		e->flags = 0;
@@ -164,6 +164,25 @@ void StartupEngines()
 			e->flags |= ENGINE_AVAILABLE;
 			e->player_avail = 0;
 		}
+		
+		/* This sets up type for the engine
+		   It is needed if you want to ask the engine what type it is
+		   It should hopefully be the same as when you ask a vehicle what it is
+		   but using this, you can ask what type an engine number is
+		   even if it is not a vehicle (yet)*/
+		e->type = VEH_Train;
+		if 	(counter >= ROAD_ENGINES_INDEX) {
+			e->type = VEH_Road;
+			if 	(counter >= SHIP_ENGINES_INDEX) {
+				e->type = VEH_Ship;
+				if 	(counter >= AIRCRAFT_ENGINES_INDEX) {
+					e->type = VEH_Aircraft;
+					if 	(counter >= TOTAL_NUM_ENGINES) {
+						e->type = VEH_Special;
+					}
+				}
+			}
+		}
 	}
 
 	AdjustAvailAircraft();
diff --git a/engine.h b/engine.h
index 56b7d95720..7ed1fe6c54 100644
--- a/engine.h
+++ b/engine.h
@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@ typedef struct Engine {
 	byte preview_wait;
 	byte railtype;
 	byte player_avail;
+	byte type;				// type, ie VEH_Road, VEH_Train, etc. Same as in vehicle.h
 } Engine;