Equipment control shacks

[relation]

I live in the midwest and have noticed lately that the little sheds that house the equipment for crossing signals has a very bright lite on the outside of them has anybody else noticed this what is the purpoes for such a lite anyone know?

[nedthomas]

If the light is only on when gates are operating it is to let the train crew know they have activated the crossing proteciton. Some railroads use lamps that shine a narrow beam up and down the right of way and some just use a light on the building that can be seen by the crew.

[jeffhergert]

The lights are power indicators. When they are on, it shows the normal commercial power is on. If the light is out, or on the railroad and territory I work on, a white strobe light is flashing, the normal power has been interrupted and power is from battery back up.
Jeff