Hello, we are producing a documentary involving some railroad tracks and crossing signals. We have been unable to find the specific name for this piece of equipment and the light on the side of it. I figured I would ask the experts!
Can you please tell me the name of this unit and the name of this light? What is this light used for?
I’ve attached a couple of pictures to show the unit and the light.
Thank you very much in advance!
I don’t know exactly what you refer to, your pictures do not open. But you might find a thread I started of value:
http://cs.trains.com/trn/f/111/p/274331/3125527.aspx#3125527
That thread should answer the question.
Some of the shortlines around here have installed an amber turn signal that flashes with the crossing lights. The turn signal is mounted/oriented so it can be seen up and down the tracks.
Welcome to the forum - however, you have not posted any viewable pictures. To post pictures in this forum they have to be linked from a 3rd party’s web site.
I’ve also heard them called signal bungalows.
Heated up the linked Thread by Enzoamps ! As is pointe out…Those steal ‘huts’ are referred to as ‘Relay Cabins’. Depending on the location and the equipment needed to provide ‘funcions’ at their locations; the structures can be of virtually any size.
The lights on the cabins as stated are ‘reporting’ electrical connections.
In this area when BNSF did a major overhaul,about two summers ago, while installing the PTC equipment that was required; at that same time the lights went to either an LED style or Halogen bulbs., from their previous incandesent style bulbs.
We call them something like “power-off” or “power interruption” lights. When lit, they indicate the crossing is getting commercial power. They are supposed to be reported if observed to be dark.
On CN, a flashing lunar indicator light means that the bungalow is operating off its backup battery power supply. An extinguished light means that the bungalow does not have any power, in the state the crossing would of course not be operating (or the bulb is burnt out).
The Trainmasters will go and switch the light to flashing as an efficiency test, to see if the next train crew will notice. Failure to report this often results in formal discipline, such as demerits or being held out of service (suspended) for a few weeks.
Oh, you have bungalow weasels?[:)]
Techie weed weasels. A trainmaster/ RFE/ Supt. in a signal case/ doghouse/ instrument case/ bungalow without a signalman or other FRA signal qualified person gets to learn what a Code 1 is and have a sinking feeling in the old bank account down here in the lower 48. (shunts is one thing, but playing with the contents of a signal cabinet unsupervised is quite another.
Unescorted on RR property (and not at a public crossing) without a rules qualified flagman or railroad permission gets you in trouble like the Midnight Rider morons. One died and one went to prison …and is an ex-filmmaker by court decree. DON’T DO IT.
Rules don’t apply to them.
Until they get caught.
Then they lie, and everything is ok.
Sounds like USA politics in action.