Ditch Lights, blink or not to blink

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

…From our McDonald’s parking lot last evening we watched a trio of 6 axle NS engines switch a cut of covered hopper cars. Engines {light}, approached from downtown Muncie and as the gates came down {at the adjacent crossing}, and the horn blowed the ditch lights did not blink as I figured they would.

Engines moved a bit west and into a siding to pick up the hoppers and then with engineer now in the forward engine this time approaching the same crossing {from the other direction}, those ditch lights did start to blink…All three were NS engines. Just seemed a bit unusual engines of same railroad would be wired in different working manner.

2

There is a pressure switch that turns on the flasher module … sometimes it connects off the bell line . This switch is subject to failure . I’m trying to remember NS units , I seem to recall they had a selector switch for crossing lights but I may be confused with the CSX. For the most part though they activate via bell ringer pressure.

3

Some Conrail units will not flash and I have also had some UP units that did not flash. Also sometimes if you hit the horn very quickly you can beat the flashing circuit.

4

…Yes, we see western engines quite often here…{UP and BNSF} and believe they do not blink but our NS and CSX in general, most always blink…

5

Aren’t all ditch lights capable of blinking?

6

The UP is converting all of their blinking locomotives to constant on. I think only old SP engines were flashers, and if you ask me it gets quite annoying at night. No, UP engines are not equipped to flash.

7

I’m pretty sure you’re right. The only UP Unit’s I’ve ever seen out of the thousands I’ve seen were 2 ex-SP’s, a SD40M-2 that was patched, and a repainted Dash-9. I think there may have been one more case with a SD40-2 had them, but it wasn’t constant and appeared to be a short.

8

Ditch lights are not required to fash…just both lights have to be light… as far as 2 units not being the wired the same…belive me… you can get on to exact same unit models…and other then the very basic controlls such as the throttle air horn …ext …ext… the other opptions are wired all over the cab…espicaly if it is an after production modification such as ditchlights on earlier model locomotives…
csx engineer

9

…I can understand how after production options added could be much different in similar units.

On the annoying blinking lights…I suppose that could get “old” pretty quick for the operator but in my opinion for anyone at or approaching the crossing and seeing the light triangle {and blinking}, coming at you on the tracks, is better able to get one’s attention and perhaps adds to the safety factor. Much more noticable than the single headlight located high on the unit with a narrow beam shining forward and most of the time above the person at the crossing. The blinking ditch lights call attention…

10

Q - just last week, we saw BNSF - with blinking lights. That was very noticeable, since they never blink.

J

11

…That must have been a rare one Jen. I personally think it really calls attention to “get clear” a train is approaching.

12

It sucks when you meet another train, and I knock out the headlight, but the ditch lights keep on blicking!

13

Ya it sounds real safe to blind the operaters or hinder their vision by bright flashing lights.

14

CN and CP units don’t blink. VIA’s P42’s did when they got them but they disabled them so they are constant now.

15

…Why would the ditch lights be blinking when one train meets another on double track…and aren’t the ditch lights to be adjusted {aimed}, slightly downward to trackside…?

16

They might have been “aimed” when they were installed, but over time, either through the vibration of the engine, hitting (pick one: bugs, birds or Buicks),or simply burning out and being replaced they loose their “aim”.

So, yeah, they’ll blind the crap out of ya.

17

If the unit is so equiped, you can just flip the switch for the lights to work on the long hood end, then flip them back after you pass.

Because there is a road crossing close by that has been or has to be blown for.

18

I know what modelers prefer [:P] Definately eye catching when they blink!