On some long coal and container trains lately, I have been seeing mid-train helpers with #boards and ditch lights on. This has been in Canada near Deltaport. I thought mid-train locos were supposed to be dark. Have the rules changed or is it just a difference in regs between the U.S. and Canada, or was I previously misinformed? Do these lights get turned on when the train is parked?
I watch the CN Brent, I’ll have to check this out.
Mike.
Thanks, Mike, I feel like SETI, finally a response.[(-D]
This is a pet peeve of mine at work. Only the designated unit (normally the lead unit) is to have the number lights illuminated, and a red marker light is only to be displayed on the tail end of the train. Mirrors and awnings are also supposed to be pulled in on trailing units and remotes.
Obviously most people who set up DP remotes don’t pay attention to this stuff.
Using a dimmed headlight as a tail end marker is even more ignorant. In Canada you actually don’t need any light on the tail end, somehow the remote unit itself is considered a marker in the current version of the CROR.
MARKER:
When used, will indicate the last piece of equipment in a movement. It will be one of the following:
- a red light, a red reflectorized plaque, a sense and braking unit (SBU), or
- an occupied caboose, distributed power remote locomotive consist or distributed braking car, when the last piece of equipment in the direction of travel.
Hello All,
On my pike I invoke “Rule 17 Dimming.”
All units adhere to these rules, whether running single, MU’ed, or DMP.
I changed DCC system to accommodate “Rule 17 Dimming” while making and breaking consists easier.
The two (2) consists I run are:
-
Four (4) GP40s in a A-A-A-A (Nose-Tail-Nose-Tail) configuration
-
Three (3) GP30s in a fictional A-B-A (Nose-B-End-Nose) configuration
It took me many CV changes and decoder resets (CV8=V8) to finally adhere to Rule 17 Dimming.
The four (4) unit GP40 consist is often broken up into a head-end unit, two (2) mid-train DMP, and a trailing DMP.
In the era I run, caboose and transfer cars were used behind the last DMP unit(s).
Mid-train DMPs are “dark” and the trailing unit displays dimmed or red lights.
The three (3) GP30 consist, begins as an A-B-A MU on the main.
Before it gets to the 3% grade to the upper section, the lead A-B is cut off the head-end.
The single GP30 moves the train forward while the A-B consist makes a move to the end of the train, after switching out the caboose, to act as helpers up the grade.
While performing these movements I have been able to configure the lighting of each loco or consist to react in a prototypical manner.
Hope this helps.
While railfanning Norfolk Southern in Pittsburgh, I’ve noticed mid train helpers usually have their headlights & number boards illuminated. I don’t recall ever seeing the ditch lights on.
It depends on who set up the DP consists. At an originating terminal with an active (actual mechanical dept people) diesel servicing area, the mechanical people usually set up the DPs. Often, even with conventional consists, number boards will be lit on trailing units when coming off the diesel ramp. I think part of the reason is that they assemble consists out of units within the “house” and don’t worry about which number boards are lit.
When moving light power around the yard, we are supposed to have the rear headlight on dim, just as if it were out on the road. The mechanical people will ha
Since Brent’s post, I’ve been paying attention railfanning the CN in my area (Waukesha Sub) and the only lights on mid DPU’s are the light under the cab by the trucks and steps. On rear DPU’s, nose in or out, I have seen the regular FRED attached to the coupler.
Mike.