Safety Lights on Locomotives

[Anonymous]

Why do some locomotives have orange safety lights on top of the Cab and some don't?[?] Why are they there[?] thanks

[CShaveRR]

Are you talking about UP locomotives seen around yards? The units that are capable of being operated by remote control have pairs of yellow strobe lights on the cab. They're on only when the units are being remotely controlled.

[Mookie]

Duh - Thanks Brother Carl - I didn't realize that - I knew the remotes had yellow flashing lights, but didn't put the two together!

S J

[Modelcar]

....Is the bell trigered to ring along with the yellow strob lights....?

[CShaveRR]

No, the bell is not continuously ringing (thankfully!) when the lights are on. I believe that it may be programmed to ring briefly when starting up from a stop, in either direction. Or, if this ringing of the bell is controlled by the RCO, it's a good idea in that instance.

SJ--is it that way on BNSF, too?

[Mookie]

They ring the bell when they get close to the crossing, but otherwise - the ears fail me!
However, they usually don't have the bubble gummer going - except the other day - way down in the yard, it was running around. Bet they were doing remote controlling down there. When they come clear out to us, they run it like a regular engine.

SJ