I have a Proto 2000 EMD E 7A. What’s a mars light, and how can I tell if it has one?
Just in case the engine derails and happens to become airborne, if it’s pointed to Mars, a special light will come on and light it’s way…
Then that puts it in the same catagory as a skyhook and a board stretcher.
First off this is not a dumb question, but----- the answer may sound dumb. Contrary to belief, the Mars light did not originate on Mars, but here on earth. It was an early attempt at addressing a safety issue and the fore runner of today’s ditch lights that flash when approaching a grade crossing or station or when the engineer wants to draw attention too the approaching train. In the case of your E-7 it was like an added headlight below the regular headlight and acted much like the rotateing beacons on emergency vehicles, except this light threw a strong narrow beam out ahead of the loco and it swept back and forth and up and down in a figure eight pattern. If your loco has this feature, there will be two round head lights, one above the other. If there is just one then the loco is not Mars light equiped. Thanks, Ken
I was wondering the same thing about a dozen years ago. I took me forever to finally figure it out. Now the answer comes in about a day from a friendly fellow modeler, who I’m sure had the same question at some point in life. Ain’t this forum great?
In that case, the answer is yes and no. It has provisions either for or not for a mars light. I’m leaving it off, because it looks cleaner without it. Thankya.