Floodlight car

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Do railroads use floodlight cars like the ones offered by various HO companies?

And if so what are they used for? Any photos anywhere on the web?

Thanks,

Mark

2

I don’t recall ever seeing a prototype floodlight car. Lots of floodlights on wrecking cranes. Lots of portable floodlights on tripods. But no cars dedicated to carrying a floodlight.

3

I was wondering the same thing the other night. Don’t have an answer either.

4

I was thinking maybe they are used for night work for rail repair or a wreck sent along with the crane or work train.

Mark

5

There may or may not have been prototypes (probably were, in the 1890s or so), but the floodlight car is a rather simple to design and manufacture (add a light to a flatcar, make it so it can turn and swivel, and power it off the rails) and yet fun ‘action’ operating accessory

6

Lionel made a Search light car.

It had a light similar to the ones you see at a Hollywood opening.

Maybe that’s what you are thinking of.

Infact go to item #5959104951

on ebay and you can see one.

Jon - Las Vegas

7

I’ve never seen one, but i would imagine that when there is a wreck (ouch) that they would need floodlights for night cleanup. Also, they might be used for track survey or something.

8

A history of searchlights on the web indicates that searchlights were put on flatcars in WWII on the West Coast to support anti-aircraft installations. Says they were usually put in a shelter during the day and pulled out at night, so they must not have moved much. The current army field manual for rail operations describes rail ops during combat and describes armored cars with rotating searchlights mounted on top.

This link http://www.sylvania.com/AboutUs/PressAndNews/PressAndVideoReleases/Horseshoecurve.htm describes a recent commercial use of rail mounted searchlights for a celebration.

9

As noted, other than wartime the searchlight cars are not a regular railroad item, mostly a toy train thing.

Bob Boudreau

10

I had one years ago by Lionel I believe in grey MW. Im not sure what happened to it.

Anyway I just bought one on Ebay in Burlington Northern since I model the BN.

Just as a conversation piece or for some night running.

Just something to ad to my every growing layout.

Mark

11

i have a caboose it just has a large light that is on the back. the road name is burlington northern[%-)]