Gyra lights

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

Does anyone know whether the Norfolk Southern GP38-2s are outfitted with gyro gyra lights? I’m super-detailing a locomotive and would like to include that, if they were prototypical. Thanks!

Tom

2

I don’t think that they are. Southern and N&W never bought locomotives with gyra-lites that I know of. N&W obtained many locomotives from the Nickel Plate Road and Wabash mergers with gyra-lites, but that was before EMD made GP38’s. The rebuilt units I see around Norfolk have the normal headlights and ditch lights, which flash at grade crossings like the gyralites did.

3

Thanks for the input, John. This particular NS GP38-2 (#5334) was originally BLT in June '77 and obtained from Conrail - i.e. if that makes any difference.

Another question if I may. When the front headlights flash, is it an “over/under” (or alternating) effect, or do they both dim/brighten simultaneously. How 'bout the rear headlights. They are a side-by-side arrangement.

Forgive me for the very basic modern diesel questions. I’m post-steam “dieselly challenged”. Thanks again for the help, John! [:)]

Tom

4

Conrail did not order it’s locomotives with Gyralites either.

Does your question about flashing headlites refer to Gyralites (or more generically, oscillating headlites) or ditch lights? Oscillating headlights move in a figure-8 pattern and do not flash. The rotational movement of the lights makes it appear that way. Flashing ditch lights alternate side to side. The rear side-by-side lights on EMD’s are the standard sealed-beam headlights and do not flash or oscillate.

5

Alfa,

Thanks for the response. The inquiry about flashing headlights refers to the actual headlight, not the ditch lights.

So, NS GP38-2s did not come with gyra lights. And, if I am understanding you correctly, the only flashing lights on the front or rear should be the ditch lights? Correct?

One more question. Under what circumstances would a diesel locomotive normally use flashing ditch lights? Thanks for the education. [:)]

Tom

6

Yes, only the ditch lights would be flashing. However, they are not always mounted front and rear, so consult photos of the locomotive you are modelling to confirm this.

Flashing ditch lights operate in conjunction with the horn, and possibly the bell. This is not always the case, however and I’m not familiar with that aspect of current NS practice.

7

Ditch lights only flash when the horn is sounded. Otherwise, they are off or on constant. Sounding the horn will override either setting, causing the the ditch lights to flash, for a certain amount of time (which I forget). Repeated soundings of the horn will extend the flashing period.

Note not all railroads follow this practice.

Nick

8

Thanks, Alfa. The reason I mentioned front and rear ditch lights is because, according to pics of the NS #5334 from the RR Picture Archives.net web site, my prototype did/does come that way. Now it looks like I’ll be using all the function outputs of my 6-function DH163L0 decoder.

Thanks again for your help.

Tom