Here’s a good question for some of you rivet counting experts.
I am modeling the late steam era in HO and am installing classification, head and backup lights on my locos. However, some have housings for other rear lighting at the top rear corners of the tenders.
Seems to me when I was young, back in the '50s some of these lights were red on both sides and some were red on fireman’s side and green on engineer side.
Does anyone remember these lights? If so were some red and some green or is my memory playing tricks on me?[?]
I believe it was dependent on the specific railroad.
I found this:
MARKERS
19. The following Signals must be displayed, one on each side of rear of train, as markers, to indicate the rear of train. By day, marker lamps not lighted. By night, marker lamps displaying green lights to front and side and red light to rear, except when train is clear of main track green lights must be displayed to front, side and rear. When train is turned out against current of traffic, it must display markers showing green lights to front and side, a green light to rear on side next to main track on which current of traffic is in the direction train is moving, and a red light to rear on the opposite side.
19 (A). When a branch or diverging line main track parallels a main track of a superior route, train occupying the branch or diverging line main track by night, when clear of superior route, must display markers showing green lights to front and side, a green light to rear on side next to main track of superior route, and a red light to rear on opposite side.
19 (B). Where their use is authorized, markers displaying yellow instead of green lights may be used and must be respected the same as green lights.
Rene.
If an engine ran ‘light’(no train or caboose), it was required to have marker lights on the tender. Usually red to the rear, but may have amber or green to the side depending on railroad/rule.
The lights on the front are ‘classification’ lights. Normally unlit, but green for a second section is following. They would be red if the engine was running in reverse on the mainline(like a pusher).