I model the NYC in 1967 but I couldn't resist the Athearn SD-70ACe in the Lightning Stripe. Looks great, I guess I have the engine of tomorrow on my 67 layout. My question concerns the ditch lights. How does NS configure them. Do they only turn them when the horn is activated, do the flash alternetly, do they have them on all the time while moving etc... None of my NYC vidoes have ditch lights of course, but us long as I have a back to the future engine I may as well program the decoder to properly operate the ditch lights. It looks like a monster next to my other engines of the 50s and 60s but since I am the president I can live with it.
Paul
Dayton and Mad River RR
Hi, Paul
I, too, model the NYC around the mid '50s (loosely) and when I saw the SD-70s from Genesis I thought it would be neat to have one. I opted for the 4141 George Bush scheme ONLY because I thought that paint scheme was really neat. I run it on fantasy fan trips and OCS trains!
What I have since discovered is that out of the box I don't think there's any way to get the ditch lights to flash. Then you'll discover the Genesis controversy over micro-lamps vs. LEDs. I have researched several options and have put any modifications to this engine on the back burner since I have other, more pressing DCC projects at the moment. I have several Genesis F units that the headlight lamp is kaput and they're awaiting LEDs.
There's plenty of Youtube vids and other sources of conversion help out there http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huH4jN-Wk1E here's an example.
You can "do it yourself" or get ready made kits for the LED conversion. Others on the forum have recommended the Ulrich kits http://www.ulrichmodels.biz/servlet/the-Athearn-Upgrade-Center/Categories
Going by my personal observations in the Cleveland, OH area NS runs with the ditch lights ON continuously when running and alternately flash when the horn is first sounded and continue to flash until the head end it through the grade crossing. My mose recent NS rulebook is from 1972 so it won't be much help [:-)]
Have fun with your SD70 on the NYC in 1967 Afterall, NYC IS THE ROAD TO THE FUTURE
Happy Modeling! Ed
Still, I do not have an EDIT button in my above post so I have to add another.
Here was a breif discussion about Athearn ditch lights: http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/p/225125/2505743.aspx
Sorry about the winking smiley at the beginning of my post above. For some reason with this IMPROVED software all the emoticons get sent to the start of the text and I forgot to delete this one [frustrated]
More specific to your question is this thread from railroadnet: http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=12883 toward the middle you'll find a link to a PDF of NORAC rules that may be helpful.
But, Since you asked...
TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PART 229--RAILROAD LOCOMOTIVE SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents Subpart C--Safety Requirements Sec. 229.125 Headlights and auxiliary lights. (a) Each lead locomotive used in road service shall have a headlight that produces at least 200,000 candela. If a locomotive or locomotive consist in road service is regularly required to run backward for any portion of its trip other than to pick up a detached portion of its train or to make terminal movements, it shall also have on its rear a headlight that produces at least 200,000 candela. Each headlight shall be arranged to illuminate a person at least 800 feet ahead and in front of the headlight. (b) Each locomotive or locomotive consist used in yard service shall have two headlights, one located on the front of the locomotive or locomotive consist and one on its rear. Each headlight shall produce at least 60,000 candela and shall be arranged to illuminate a person at least 300 feet ahead and in front of the headlight. (c) Headlights shall be provided with a device to dim the light. (d) Effective December 31, 1997, each lead locomotive operated at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour over one or more public highway- rail crossings shall be equipped with operative auxiliary lights, in addition to the headlight required by paragraph (a) or (b) of this section. A locomotive equipped on March 6, 1996 with auxiliary lights in conformance with Sec. 229.133 shall be deemed to conform to this section until March 6, 2000. All locomotives in compliance with Sec. 229.133(c) shall be deemed to conform to this section. Auxiliary lights shall be composed as follows: (1) Two white auxiliary lights shall be placed at the front of the locomotive to form a triangle with the headlight. (i) The auxiliary lights shall be at least 36 inches above the top of the rail, except on MU locomotives and control cab locomotives where such placement would compromise the integrity of the car body or be otherwise impractical. Auxiliary lights on such MU locomotives and control cab locomotives shall be at least 24 inches above the top of the rail. (ii) The auxiliary lights shall be spaced at least 36 inches apart if the vertical distance from the headlight to the horizontal axis of the auxiliary lights is 60 inches or more. (iii) The auxiliary lights shall be spaced at least 60 inches apart if the vertical distance from the headlight to the horizontal axis of the auxiliary lights is less than 60 inches. (2) Each auxiliary light shall produce at least 200,000 candela. (3) The auxiliary lights shall be focused horizontally within 15 degrees of the longitudinal centerline of the locomotive. (e) Auxiliary lights required by paragraph (d) of this section may be arranged (1) to burn steadily or (2) flash on approach to a crossing. If the auxiliary lights are arranged to flash; (i) they shall flash alternately at a rate of at least 40 flashes per minute and at most 180 flashes per minute, (ii) the railroad's operating rules shall set a standard procedure for use of flashing lights at public highway-rail grade crossings, and (iii) the flashing feature may be activated automatically, but shall be capable of manual activation and deactivation by the locomotive engineer. [[Page 286]] (f) Auxiliary lights required by paragraph (d) of this section shall be continuously illuminated immediately prior to and during movement of the locomotive, except as provided by railroad operating rules, timetable or special instructions, unless such exception is disapproved by FRA. A railroad may except use of auxiliary lights at a specific public highway-rail grade crossing by designating that exception in the railroad's operating rules, timetable, or a special order. Any exception from use of auxiliary lights at a specific public grade crossing can be disapproved for a stated cause by FRA's Associate Administrator for Safety or any one of FRA's Regional Administrators, after investigation by FRA and opportunity for response from the railroad. (g) Movement of locomotives with defective auxiliary lights. (1) A lead locomotive with only one failed auxiliary light must be repaired or switched to a trailing position before departure from the place where an initial terminal inspection is required for that train. (2) A locomotive with only one auxiliary light that has failed after departure from an initial terminal, must be repaired not later than the next calendar inspection required by Sec. 229.21. (3) A lead locomotive with two failed auxiliary lights may only proceed to the next place where repairs can be made. This movement must be consistent with Sec. 229.9. (h) Any locomotive subject to Part 229, that was built before December 31, 1948, and that is not used regularly in commuter or intercity passenger service, shall be considered historic equipment and excepted from the requirements of paragraphs (d) through (h) of this section. Hope that helps, Ed
Ed, Thank you so much for the quick answer. Your second post says it all, I did not realize that the ditch lights were as bright as the headlight, but it is there in black and white! Of course I don't look at engines real often with their ditch lights and headlights on. I live in the Tacoma area so I don't see to many NS or CSX engines; however, I do see them once in awhile.
Did you happen to see this new issue of Model Railroader? It has Rich Stovings NYC on the Hudson layout. It should be a good advertisement for the NYC historical socitey(He is very active in that) which has an excellent quarterly publication. It is worth the price of membership just for that. I have been a member for years, and I highley recommend it. Thanks again for the information. I think I will just live with them being solid on as I to have higher priority projects. Had it just been a CV fix I would have done that.
Dayton and Mad Rivr RR
Modeling the NYC (CCC&StL) from Dayton to Springfield Ohio
I bought the Penn Central Heritage version (go figure!) and it was delivered a few weeks ago. I am loving every minute of it's run time, Athearn did a great job modeling the prototype. Anyway, the CV's for the ditch lights are already programmed from the factory. In order to activate the ditch lights you need to press F5, once on, they stay on all the time. They will flash when the horn is activated, then return to steady. F0 is for the headlight.
There is also info on the NS ditch lights, the only railroad that use the "alternating" method. All this is in the back of the operators manual that comes with the loco.
Inspired by Addiction
See more on my YouTube Channel
Thanks for that info on the functions P-C! I really haven't had the time to explore all of the programming options on my particular unit. I was "assuming" based on what I read at the Ulrich site and Youtube rather than first-hand experience. I hope I will have time today to play with functions and programming.
[edit]
I just watched your review on Youtube! Bravo, nice work! I see the ditch lights at 15:05 sure enough! My fault for not pressing the "long" horn to activate the alternating function! Thanks again!
Take care, Ed
Ed,
No harm, no foul. This is the 1st sound equipped loco I bought. All my dcc/sound locos I have converted. I wasn't sure what to expect with the factory programming.
Thanks for visiting my youtube channel and watching the video. Glad it helped!
Terry
I recently purhased an Athearn Genesis SD70, in the NS scheme, and was surprised to find the ditch lights already programed to flash when the horn was blown. I installed a Tsunami in a Genesis SD 70, and was able to program the ditch lights to flash when the horn is blown, and stay on steady when running. The Tsunami owners manual explains it. I don't remember which CVs were used.