To begin with, they seem to be battery operated, so, do they not flash in the daytime?
I know that they also send a variety of information back to the locomotive, but I’ve been wondering when they flash. I live near the CSX mainline between Atlanta and Chattanooga, but I rarely notice one flashing.
Also, how about other types of trains? Do passenger trains have these devices? or do they have built in marker lights? How about the occasional freight with a caboose? Will these have a FRED along with their marker lights?
Any information will be appreciated. If you can point me in the right direction, that is just as acceptable.
unless the caboose is manned it will have a FRED, the current FRED’s are able to put the train into emergency brake application via radio remote from the lead locomotive, allows the whole train to achieve emergency brake application much quicker than just appling from the locomotives. A friend I have works a local for the NS, if he is in the caboose and the caboose’s rear flasher works then he doesnt usualy put the FRED on. if it doesnt work or the caboose’s batteries are low then he puts it on the coupler. Yes they only flash at night on the new ones, unless the bulb is burnt out or the battery is low. Cheers Mike
EOT’s have a sensor in them to save the battery life; so that’s why you usually won’t see them flashing in the daylight. If you ever catch the chance to see the rear of a train start to move in the daylight, the EOT will start to flash for a few seconds. EOT’s also provide the engineer with the power to put a train into Emergency from the rear of the train simultaneously with the head. EOT’s also provide brake pipe pressure on the rear of the train which tells the engineer that there is proper airflow throughout the entire train. Another neat little feature of the EOT is that it will beep when it moves. This also helps the engineer know when he has all the slack out in the train and can start taking off with the throttle, at least in my experience it has saved me from having to change some broken knuckles. I know that the actual engineers and other conductors can elaborate more on this for you, but I have given you what I know. [8D]
Seems like I once read somewhere about EOT’s that used a small generator run by air from the brake line instead of batteries. Are the railroads using these or where they not practical?
csx is useing the air powered EOTs also… they still have a battery in them…but it is for power to the EOT untill air is piped to it…while its hooked up to air…it will run the EOT as well as charge the batteries… they are alot nicer…the weight a bit less …a slight bit smaller in size…and you dont have to worry about picking a dead one of the rack and finding it out to late and have to call someone to come change your batteries…
csx engineer
Amtrak trains usually have built in red marker lights at each end of the passenger coaches. When a car is the last one on the train, the rear lights are lit up all the time. If the train has boxcars at the end a FRED is used.