Back in the 20s thru 50s did locos run with headlights on during the day time ?
Now day’s i think they do for safety like cars do but back then i’m not sure
also wonder if it varied by railroad
Prior to WWII, locomotives generally did not run with headlights on in daylight. After WWII this changed SLOWLY, railroad by railroad, for various reasons.
Well into the 1950’s it was still common to see both steam and diesel with no light on in the daytime. And even after it became common to run lights on diesels all the time, remaining steam on many lines did not.
BUT, a few roads actually embraced daylight headlights and Mars lights so far as to even add them to steam. Working from memory, I beleive the SP and NKP were ones who did, I’m sure there were others.
If you model the 50’s find out what your prototype did. If you model before that it was most likely no.
Sheldon
LION was looking at a book in the doctor’s office, and was surprised to note that English steam locomotives had no headlamps at all.
No wonder mad dogs and Englishmen only go out in the noonday sun.
ROAR