I was looking at buying the Bachmann model of CB&Q E7 #9916B. This model has a red flashing light on the top light position, and the lower light is white. Is this prototypical for this engine? What was the purpose of this light? Any information about this would be appreciated.
Chief Xeno, I'm not a Burlington guy but, if the upper housing contains a red and a white light, that is prototypical. A lot of roads used this combination with the white light used as an oscillating signal light similar to a Mars or Gyralight. If the red light performed the same function as it did on the SP, it was an oscillating warning light that came on in the instance of an emergency brake application.
Here is a photo of a Burlington E7 in operation. Normally, the two lights in the lower housing were on when the train was in motion. The upper housing had a flashing Mars light which was not always on when trains were in motion. The red light in the upper housing would be lighted if emergency brakes were applied.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
On this particular model, the upper light housing did not seem to have a white mars light. Just the red mars light. Is it is a function that you need to change in DCC programming? I was using an MRC Tech-6 to control the functions and it seemed like the upper housing was a red mars light only. I was wondering if this was prototypical or if it was mainly used as a white mars light? If the model only features the red mars light in the upper light housing, I don't think I want to purchase it if its not prototypical.