Another dumb NS ditch light question

[Morpar]

Alright, here's the story. I was coming out of the plant after work last night and heard a train rumbling by. Now mind you, this is at 11:30 at night, so I can't see the train except for any lights it has on. It was heading the same direction I go to get home, and the tracks run parallel to the road for about 5 miles between 2 small towns, plus it was going slow enough that I was able to catch it and wait for it. This is the Norfolk Southern line that runs between Frankfort and Lafayette, Indiana.

Now, this is where it gets interesting. I managed to get WAY ahead of the train (maybe 1/2 or 3/4 mile) enough to pull down a county road that crosses the tracks and wait for it to come by. I noticed that as it was approaching, the ditch lights were not flashing, just staying on. Just about the time that the horn was blown, the ditch lights started flashing back and forth. At that point I remember seeing the same thing one other time that I waited for a train at this crossing. Is this normal? Are the ditch lights flashing activated by the horn being blown or something else? The lead loco was a C40-8 in this case, if that matters, but the last time it was a C40-9W. It also kind of sounded like the engines were throttled up at about the same time the lights started flashing, but I wouldn't swear to that. I was under the impression that whenever the locomotive was in motion, the ditch lights were to be flashing.

So what is the real story on this? Surely there is an explanation for this, I just don't know what it is! Thanks in advance for the information.

[David_Telesha]

Only requirement is to have ditch lights.

Some railroads have them wired to flash when the horn is blown.

[Anonymous]

NS has the ditch lights flash when the horn is blown as another way to get your attention. Just another way to try to lawyer proof crossings.

[tangerine-jack]

Seems silly that if you can't see the train, or the 8 billion watt headlight, or hear the horn, or see the flashing crossing light, or read the sign that says "RR Crossing", what good does flashing the ditch lights do? Me thinks that some people are too stupid to even be driving.

Interesting topic, however. I noticed that myself, but I thought the flashing was activated by the same trigger that activates the gates. Guess I learned something today...........I'll have to modify my engines now to do this when the horn is blown.................

[waltersrails]

they always come on when they approach a crossing i've lived and talk to ns for several years. Part of safety. they are not all wired to the horn. Only a few.

[route_rock]

Mostly the horn its a good failsafe. Engineers are too busy if they have to bail the indy or apply the automatice(or do a multitude of other tasks) so wiring to the horn valve is the best way to CYA. I find them annoying at night as they flash and your watching them from the cab.
I agree with you Jack! Youd be surprised to see how many people STILL cross in front of us with all the lights a bell and horn going( asnd even flashers and gates!) Sad deal to see the stupidity of a few.

[james saunders]

i like it when the ditch lights alternate its cool, its a shame i model the 50, and 60s though ahh well, i may have to buy a "new" locomotive with alternating ditch lights, just a thought would it be also a better way to improve visibility by having strobe lights as well on the roof?? and what about at gate protected crossings a gate that goes across the entire road?

[Anonymous]

Flashing ditch lights are a safty feature, and some railroads have them Paticularly railroads that have lots of crossings like NS and railroads that actually care about people saftey, but i don't believe its manditory, I think BNSF dosent really use them, i don't think CSX uses them and im quite sure UP dosen't us them, at least not on the SD 70M's and AC4400's.
And if your going to model flashingditch light's i would try to pic a railroad that actually uses them.

[waltersrails]

all the railroads i have been around use them most of the time UP is the worst though on using them very few times have i seen them on.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by waltersrails

all the railroads i have been around use them most of the time UP is the worst though on using them very few times have i seen them on.

That's also because that might mean that UP might have to shell out some extra money, and it might get people thinkin that they acctually care.
And thats commin from a UP fan[:D]

[csxengineer98]

almost all locomotives with ditchlights have them set up to flash when the horn is blown..thier are a few out thier that are set up to just stay on and not flash when the horn is blown..but its not a law that they have to flash..they just have to have working ditchlights... also..at least on csx....if you are on a unit that dosnt have ditchlights..or you ditchlights fail... you are restricted to 20mph over all road crossings untill the locomotive is over the crossing....
i know what i said above about haveing to have ditchlights..but on locals..some of the engins might have ditchlights on the short hood end..but not on the long hood end..and if your running long hood forward for what ever reason.....and you dont have ditchlights on that end....see the above agin....
csx engineer

[Anonymous]

It does attract your attention when the horn is activated and the ditch lights start to alternate.

Atlas does this trick on the first and second run of the 8-40CW's.

I was at the airport and while watching a Southwest 737 coming in on final, they used the same alternating pattern on two of their landing lights. I don't think they like the word ditch, but seriously, it really does cause you to take notice.

Now if only they could get a horn and blow it on landing, we might start to model 737's.

[csxengineer98]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bangert1

It does attract your attention when the horn is activated and the ditch lights start to alternate.

Atlas does this trick on the first and second run of the 8-40CW's.

I was at the airport and while watching a Southwest 737 coming in on final, they used the same alternating pattern on two of their landing lights. I don't think they like the word ditch, but seriously, it really does cause you to take notice.

Now if only they could get a horn and blow it on landing, we might start to model 737's.

the flashing lights on the aircraft coming in for approch for the landing is to scare birds away from the runway and the flight path... birds and jet engins dont mix real well... nor do birds and cockpit windshields mix well either...
csx engineer

[waltersrails]

yeah i'll agree with that