Headlight during daytime?

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

I have a question regarding headlights: when did it become manditory for trains to display a headlight during daylight hours? I have seen pictures of early Diesels with the headlight off, clearly on the main line. but the picture could have been posed for the photographer. could it be correct for someone modeling early 20th century trains to have the headlight off?

Thanks

David Wallace

2

http://www.fra.dot.gov/rdv/volpe/pubs/reports/lcnsrpt/lcnsch3.html has a bunch of information about train lighting. I dont know if it will have what your looking for but it might. Hope it helps.

-Tom

3

I have a pair of pictures from late 1950s on CPR. The diesel has the headlight on; the steamer has the headlight off.

4

The headlights were to be on full brightness unless facing oncoming vehicle traffic on a parallel roadway, or entering a yard (dimmed, not off). When your train was in the clear in the siding or if holding the main line for a meet, or on the shop track in the yard, you had to turn off your headlights. Number lights, running board lights etc… stayed on. Maybe get your hands on an old UCOR rule book (pre 1962) to see how far back.
Cheers .

5

I understand the current rules, I was more curious about the early days. I know that on the BNSF, a train must display a headlight anytime it holds the main track, day or night. even during a meet, the train on the main,moving or not, displays a headlight. I just wondered when this became the manditory rule and why.

Thanks for your answers!

David Wallace

6

The easy question to answer is “why?” Light is easier to see. It makes the train more visable. A light that is produced will be brighter than a reflected light.

7

I have a question regarding headlights: when did it become manditory for trains to display a headlight during daylight hours? I have seen pictures of early Diesels with the headlight off, clearly on the main line. but the picture could have been posed for the photographer. could it be correct for someone modeling early 20th century trains to have the headlight off?

Thanks

David Wallace

8

http://www.fra.dot.gov/rdv/volpe/pubs/reports/lcnsrpt/lcnsch3.html has a bunch of information about train lighting. I dont know if it will have what your looking for but it might. Hope it helps.

-Tom

9

I have a pair of pictures from late 1950s on CPR. The diesel has the headlight on; the steamer has the headlight off.

10

The headlights were to be on full brightness unless facing oncoming vehicle traffic on a parallel roadway, or entering a yard (dimmed, not off). When your train was in the clear in the siding or if holding the main line for a meet, or on the shop track in the yard, you had to turn off your headlights. Number lights, running board lights etc… stayed on. Maybe get your hands on an old UCOR rule book (pre 1962) to see how far back.
Cheers .

11

I understand the current rules, I was more curious about the early days. I know that on the BNSF, a train must display a headlight anytime it holds the main track, day or night. even during a meet, the train on the main,moving or not, displays a headlight. I just wondered when this became the manditory rule and why.

Thanks for your answers!

David Wallace

12

The easy question to answer is “why?” Light is easier to see. It makes the train more visable. A light that is produced will be brighter than a reflected light.