Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Headlight during daytime?

3842 views
5 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: US
  • 725 posts
Posted by Puckdropper on Sunday, August 31, 2003 8:24 PM
The easy question to answer is "why?" Light is easier to see. It makes the train more visable. A light that is produced will be brighter than a reflected light.
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: US
  • 725 posts
Posted by Puckdropper on Sunday, August 31, 2003 8:24 PM
The easy question to answer is "why?" Light is easier to see. It makes the train more visable. A light that is produced will be brighter than a reflected light.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 25, 2003 12:31 AM
I understand the current rules, I was more curious about the early days. I know that on the BNSF, a train must display a headlight anytime it holds the main track, day or night. even during a meet, the train on the main,moving or not, displays a headlight. I just wondered when this became the manditory rule and why.

Thanks for your answers!

David Wallace
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 25, 2003 12:31 AM
I understand the current rules, I was more curious about the early days. I know that on the BNSF, a train must display a headlight anytime it holds the main track, day or night. even during a meet, the train on the main,moving or not, displays a headlight. I just wondered when this became the manditory rule and why.

Thanks for your answers!

David Wallace
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 24, 2003 10:48 PM
The headlights were to be on full brightness unless facing oncoming vehicle traffic on a parallel roadway, or entering a yard (dimmed, not off). When your train was in the clear in the siding or if holding the main line for a meet, or on the shop track in the yard, you had to turn off your headlights. Number lights, running board lights etc... stayed on. Maybe get your hands on an old UCOR rule book (pre 1962) to see how far back.
Cheers .
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 24, 2003 10:48 PM
The headlights were to be on full brightness unless facing oncoming vehicle traffic on a parallel roadway, or entering a yard (dimmed, not off). When your train was in the clear in the siding or if holding the main line for a meet, or on the shop track in the yard, you had to turn off your headlights. Number lights, running board lights etc... stayed on. Maybe get your hands on an old UCOR rule book (pre 1962) to see how far back.
Cheers .
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Guelph, Ont.
  • 1,476 posts
Posted by BR60103 on Sunday, August 24, 2003 9:38 PM
I have a pair of pictures from late 1950s on CPR. The diesel has the headlight on; the steamer has the headlight off.

--David

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Guelph, Ont.
  • 1,476 posts
Posted by BR60103 on Sunday, August 24, 2003 9:38 PM
I have a pair of pictures from late 1950s on CPR. The diesel has the headlight on; the steamer has the headlight off.

--David

  • Member since
    May 2002
  • 223 posts
Posted by tomnoy3 on Sunday, August 24, 2003 2:09 PM
http://www.fra.dot.gov/rdv/volpe/pubs/reports/lcnsrpt/lcnsch3.html has a bunch of information about train lighting. I dont know if it will have what your looking for but it might. Hope it helps.

-Tom
  • Member since
    May 2002
  • 223 posts
Posted by tomnoy3 on Sunday, August 24, 2003 2:09 PM
http://www.fra.dot.gov/rdv/volpe/pubs/reports/lcnsrpt/lcnsch3.html has a bunch of information about train lighting. I dont know if it will have what your looking for but it might. Hope it helps.

-Tom
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Headlight during daytime?
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 24, 2003 12:41 AM
I have a question regarding headlights: when did it become manditory for trains to display a headlight during daylight hours? I have seen pictures of early Diesels with the headlight off, clearly on the main line. but the picture could have been posed for the photographer. could it be correct for someone modeling early 20th century trains to have the headlight off?

Thanks

David Wallace
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Headlight during daytime?
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 24, 2003 12:41 AM
I have a question regarding headlights: when did it become manditory for trains to display a headlight during daylight hours? I have seen pictures of early Diesels with the headlight off, clearly on the main line. but the picture could have been posed for the photographer. could it be correct for someone modeling early 20th century trains to have the headlight off?

Thanks

David Wallace

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!