So what are the importance of ditch light on the front of loco's

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

I was just thinking in a movie I was watching they showed a couple of trains. With ditch lights and well I was wondering if and how important are they.If anyone has any information on this topic please pass it on. [:D][:D]

2

Visibility for both the locomotive crew and people at crossings. Ex Conrail and New Jersey Transit engines have flashing ditch lights that go on when the bell is ringing or the engineer blows the horn.

3

A recent issue of Branchline (Bytown Rly Soc) covered this from the Canadian angle. In mountain railroading, they needed a headlight that would light up the track on some pretty sharp curves and they came up with a swiveling headlight. On diesels, they started mounting a couple of lights angled across the tracks. Some of these drifted onto the flatter country and the crews there started asking for them.
They light up parts of the track that regular headlights miss.

4

In Canada it is now a Canada Transportation law to have ditchlights on all leading locomotives. It came about originally when a train struck a rock slide in the mountians. It offers greater visiblity to either side of track as well as ahead. It was only later that it was thought useful as visibility enhancer to vechicular traffic. The headlight and ditchlights now both have to be on when going over a crossing.

Brent

5

If I remember correctly, Back in the 80’s Santa Fe and CN swapped some motive power, so Santa Fe could sample the (then) new Canadian comfort Cabs which had ditch lights and nose mounted headlights.
The Santa Fe crews were supposedly very impressed with the setup, and began lobbying for the same arrangement.
Jimmy

6

I beleive the FRA has made it mandatory for all loco’s to be equiped from 2000 and on. They do add aditional lighting and I know I would not want to be in the way when those things beemed on me. But not to change subject, I have noticed that some railroads do not activite them at crossings? I noticed this while wtching a DVD of Gibson Junction on the BNSF/UP. So be it. KEEP TRAIN’IN STEVE

7

Well why not give us your very best guess of why they are used. [:o)][:)][:p]

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Originally posted by railfan619
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