GraniteRailroader jeffhergert Although it isn't (yet) a system requirement, many of UP's service units are now requiring the cab lights on trailing engines to be turned on. An exception to this are engines that are shut down. Jeff Do you know the rationale behind this? It seems odd...
jeffhergert Although it isn't (yet) a system requirement, many of UP's service units are now requiring the cab lights on trailing engines to be turned on. An exception to this are engines that are shut down. Jeff
Although it isn't (yet) a system requirement, many of UP's service units are now requiring the cab lights on trailing engines to be turned on. An exception to this are engines that are shut down.
Jeff
Do you know the rationale behind this? It seems odd...
My guess is so that if someone has to go in them they can see what they are doing rather than fumble around in the dark searching for the light switch possibly tripping and getting injured. Also if there is an unauthorized person inside you can see them ahead of time.
ATSFGuy The dashboard on the engineer's side may be lit or glow from a computer screen, but no actual ceiling lights have been on in the cab when the locomotive is in motion.
The dashboard on the engineer's side may be lit or glow from a computer screen, but no actual ceiling lights have been on in the cab when the locomotive is in motion.
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Firelock76 As a rule, no. That's the one thing model train manufacturers get wrong, especially with diesels. Soon as the headlight comes on the whole cab interior lights up. In a real locomotive only the instruments are illuminated, steam or diesel.
As a rule, no. That's the one thing model train manufacturers get wrong, especially with diesels. Soon as the headlight comes on the whole cab interior lights up.
In a real locomotive only the instruments are illuminated, steam or diesel.
I think - especially in the past - it wasn't so much that manufacturers wanted to reproduce a diesel's cab light, as it was that as often as not they just put a big lightbulb somewhere towards the front of the engine, lighting up the headlights, numberboards, cab, and usually spreading light down around the front trucks. In recent years, models usually have smaller bulbs (or LEDs) with some type of shielding to prevent light leakage.
BTW I lived across the street from a rail line for many years, and can remember end-cab switchers trundling by at night with the cab faintly illuminated by the bluish lights of the engine's instruments.
Okay, thanks all for the replies!I figured they were usually off - but I just wanted to double check
Charles
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Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO
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A cab light is not needed or welcome since you will not be able to see outside and you will become a perfect target for rock throwers. Should we need to read orders or a switch list then we would use the cab lights on dim just long enough to read the paper work.
In the caboose a conductor would use a dim desk light to do his paper work..
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I've watched WC and CN trains at night, and no interior lights on. I would imagine that the inside of the cab has a certain amount of light from the engineer's panel, the electrical panel on the back wall, and probably a desk type light over the conductor's desk, and with a "wide cab", maybe a light by the stairway to the door and the can.
All of which would probably be not noticable to someone watching a train go by, from ground level.
Mike
My You Tube
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Trainman440Hi, simple question - Are cab lights usually lit in the night?
You know what? So what? I like the models lit up.
Hi, simple question - Are cab lights usually lit in the night?I would like a separate answer for diesel engines AND steam engines.
Thanks!