BC Rail locomotives do/did not have flashing ditchlights. When approaching crossings, locomotives sound the bell and blow the standard warning signal (long-long-short-long). Busier crossings have automatic crossing signals.
These may be helpful videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX_6UVrsIGc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R-1EOtsYIU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUSXLX5DgzY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG24GhSDZbs
Someone said the light no flashing - I understand not every time but I mean on a street-crossing. There must be a warning signal!
Christian