RS3's with ditch lights

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Did the ALCo RS3’s have ditch lights. I added some MU hoses to my G scale RS3, but wanted to know if they had ditch lights. I want to make it as realistic as possible.

2

this should answer yuor question

3

Thank you very much. What RR does that happen to be and where is it located?

4

This question should be over on the MR forum;but since you asked;
When the RS-3s were built,there were no such things as “ditch lights”;
“ditchlights” came about in the 70s-80s(somebody will correct me on this one)
but the only ones that you will see on ‘units’ like that now,are the ones still operating,
and fall under FRA rules.

So to the actual answer;They didn’t,but they can.
(what “ERA” are you modelling ?)

5

Here are the MU cables I put on both ends. The RS3 is first, followed by my F7s

6

Actually, the answer to your question is probably no, as no one had ditch lights when the RS-3 came out. Today, however, they have to unless they have an exemption or never cross a public crossing…

The Adirondack’s “NYC” RS-3 has ditch lights, too.

7

Thanks, locomutt. So they are aftermarket, heck I will put them on there anyway, lets see if I can track a pair down. Oh I just posted here because I know you guys know a lot about real trains, and I usually post in The Classic Toy Trains forum as well as GR, and sometimes on topics down here.

8

Canadian roads had them as early as the 50’s, but the U.S didnt start using them until around 1998ish.