mech.9811
In the early part of the Century, lighting was a simple matter of lighting a kerosene lantern and hanging it on the head end or Caboose of a train. Then with the invention of the Dynamo on Steam Locomotives electric lights came into the picture. Of course the crew in the Caboose still had to hang kerosene marker lights on the rear of the train.
For a long time marker lights were required on the rear of trains to protect against Collisions from the rear. Today marker lights are history along with the kerosene lamps used on Cabooses. The marker lights were modified for electric lighting and finally a few years ago the marker light was done away with completely.
Now all that's required on the rear of the train is a red light as is used on the EOT (End of train device), on freight, or the red lights on the end of Passenger trains.
In the front of the train it was a different story. Dim headlights on the Steam Engines turned into Bright lights, and bright lights turned into Oscillating lights, called Mars lights. Their were many types used including a huge light used on some or all of the EMD E and F units. These lights were mounted on a flat plate system and a motor driven by a belt caused the plate to move in a circular motion. Southern Pacific came out with their Gyro lights and still may be found on a few industrial Railroads. More information can be found on Mars and Gyro Lights at www.trainweb.com/gyra .
The Government now requires all Lead Locomotives on mainline RR's to have ditch lights. These are lights mounted on the front lower part of the locomotive, one on each side. Most Engines now have a feature when the horn or bell rings it activates a blink- ing feature on the ditch lights usually lasting 20 seconds. This is a real attention getter when approaching a crossing.
next time. More detailed information on the EMD 2 cycle Engine