I have another question about details on EMD F units.
I have seen pictures of FB units with reverse lights mounted on them. Unfortunately the pictures don't show the front and rear ends of the locomotives so my question is:
Would there have been reverse lights on both ends of the FB units so they could be run in either direction like the A units were?
Yes, I'm nuts about lighting effects!! Heck, the decoders have the functions so why not?
Thanks
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
hon30critter Would there have been reverse lights on both ends of the FB units so they could be run in either direction like the A units were?
I'd recommend looking at a whole lot of photos from on-line. I just did, and found that BN B units, for example, had lights on both ends.
Do you have questions about specific units, or are you asking about the general case? And we know about exceptions to general cases.
Ed
Hey Ed:
Thanks for the quick response.
I am speaking specifically of Canadian Pacific B units. My locomotives (InterMountain) have the 'F' marked on the frame but logic suggests that they could be run in either direction and therefore they would have lights on both ends.
The reason I am asking is that I recently had an experience where I wanted to add some details to my FPA's but I found out, thanks to the forum, that some of the details were not appropriate for my era. I had seen the details in pictures of actual locomotives but the photos were not dated. Rather that charging ahead as I tend to do, I asked. I'm doing the same thing here. In hindsight it may have been a dumb question, but I seem to be well qualified in asking 'dumb questions'.
I appreciate your input.
I'm not sure about B units having lights at both ends. Some roads likely did. On the other hand, I'm pretty sure the hostler controls were at one end and it was already hard to see out of that end, let alone to see what a light on the other end might illuminate. I'm not sure the light would've conferred operating privileges on some lines, as such movements may have been restricted to engine terminal areas, thus no need to display a lamp at night as ordinarily required.
The lights varied, depending on what the road ordered. Many looked like what we in the Midwest call a "tractor" or "work" light, basically a sealed beam bulb in a flexible housing. Others are a round fixture in the rear bulkhead. Some may have had none.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Thanks Mike.
I'm not certain either (that should come as no suprise).
I will wait to see who else chimes in, but I'm leaning towards installing them on both ends anyhow.
Dave,
A review of my pictures of MILW & BN 'boosters' shows that there is usually a small lamp just to the left of the end door. I looked at some SOO pictures, but most of mine do not really show the end of a B Unit. If the locomotive is backing in something like a AB set, I would expect that the back up lamp on the booster would be lighted. Visability is usually limited when backing up with a 'blind box' and having a light really helps after dusk!
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Here's a picture of the front of a CP B unit:
This being the "front", I expect there'd also be one on the "rear".
I found other recent pictures of current CP B units, and they have lights at both ends. BUT they're not the same between models.
So, if I were modeling a B like the one above, I'd put a light on both ends. It's really inconceivable that a railroad wouldn't have a headlight on both ends of a B unit if it were coupler equipped. Imagine a consist of an ABB in operation. The consist would not be allowed to operate in reverse, if it were necessary, without a headlight to the rear. I suppose it's possible, however, to have some sort of headlight on an extension cord that could be temporarily hung on the rear. It's not like a B unit would be at the head of a train very often, anyway.
A somewhat minor exception: there would be no reason to have headlights on the "inside connection" of drawbar-connected units, such as was common with FT's.
Still, if I were you, I'd go dig up a bunch more photos.
mlehman I'm pretty sure the hostler controls were at one end and it was already hard to see out of that end, let alone to see what a light on the other end might illuminate.
Yes,the vision was poor at best..Ypu see the hostler stuck his head out a porthole window by the controls-very funny looking to see a B unit coming toward you with a man's head sticking out the side.
The light was needed for reverse moves and so a A-B-B or a B unit could be seen st night making a reverse move.Some roads had small round headlights-simpliar to a automobile headlight mounted on both ends of a B unit.
Also that applies to passenger B unit as well.
Some times a passenger A-B unit consist would need to make a 3-4 mile reverse move to the passenger terminal or engine terminal.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
The B&O (and probably some other roads) had portable twin sealed-beam lights that could be hung in the end door way of a cab unit not equipped with a permanent backup light.
Ed:
After doing a bit of looking I have seen similar reverse light setups on several CP FB units. Many of the pictures did not have dates, but there were a couple of B units in the maroon and grey scheme. These engines were pretty dirty and the reverse lights were just as dirty suggesting that they had been there for a while. In other words, they are a reasonably safe bet for my late 50's era.
There was more than one style of light as you suggest but the majority looked to be the same as the one in your picture. Miniatures by Eric makes that lamp in brass. I have four of them but I need two more to do my three FB units. I cored the ones I have so they can be lit.
Thanks for posting the picture.
Yer quite welcome.
I just lucked out!
I decided to have a look at the Miniatures by Eric web site and discovered that they make brass castings of those exact B unit reverse lights. They look very similar to the lights that I already have but it looks like they include the small square backing plate used to mount the light to the locomotive. So, I ordered three sets. What the heck, its only money and their prices are very reasonable.
One of the really nice features of the way the mfr. delivers the casting is that they leave a casting spur on the light. They can be grasped very firmly when drilling the cores out without doing any damage to the casting itself.
Gosh! I'd better be careful here - I may be becoming a 'rivet counter'! Heaven forbid!!