Safety lights

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi all!

I have been thinking about adding safety lights to some of my motive power. I got to thinking about where said lights should go and started watching the BNSF in this area. This brought up confusion - some of the loco’s had them, some not. Of the ones that do have them, it doesn’t seem that there is a specific location or pattern to them.

Dash-9’s usually have one above the lower step on all four corners, middle of the back and front porch and none over the trucks.

Amtrak Genisis (sp?), if present have them under the lower step on all four corners, and over all of the trucks.

SD9 - The one I saw had them near the 2nd step from the ground, only over the trucks not under the cab and on the front porch only.

the list goes on…

So my questions to you - Is installing these by BNSF a ‘as you can do it’ type of deal? I have never noticed during the daytime, but are these lit constantly as the number boards are? It could be that I just couldn’t see that they were on as it is kinda tough when they go by at 55! I guess that I need to go to Parkwater/Yardley and have a look around - darn!

ctclibby

2

Are you referring to ditch lights?

Might try a “Search our Community” down the right hand column on this page.

Don’t know if or when these became mandatory. My guess would be that different roads installed them where they decided to as long at the placement met any requirements that were stated.

Good luck,

Richard

3

Richard

I think th OP is referring to lights that illuminate the locomotive steps.

Dave

4

Yep, “step lights” is the term.

I’m not sure how much where these are is FRA-mandated or is more flexible in their installation. I suspect some sort of step illumination is required on new motive power, but the install is permitted to vary widely in terms of the exact configuration of lights. Maybe it’s “Yes, I can see the steps” is good enough?

This might be a good place to use fiber-optics.