Head light location

[Anonymous]

I wonder what makes a railroad select either above the cab or on the nose for headlight placement. I have noticed that some will have a high light in one operating area and the nose light in others, i.e. BNSF. And SP had them all over the place. Some convert high lights to nose however I can't remember seeing a nose light converted to a high. Any body know?

[Jackflash]

Dan I have also wondered about that, I suspect
the person who decides to locate the headlight
low on the nose has not had to work with trains
and locomotives, with the low headlight, at night
the crew cannot see as far ahead as with the high
headlights, and with the low light, when you are
on the walkway on the front of the locomotive
the light is at face level, it blinds and burns
you. There are no advantages for the headlight to
be located low. jackflash

[edblysard]

Yes there is, when its below freezing, and your switching, if you lean back against them they keep your back warm. Of course, you hogger gets a little upset, but he is up in the warm cab, so...
Ed

[eolafan]

I have personally seen some BNSF units which obviously had the headlight moved from up high on the cab roof to the nose as there was a "patch" of sheet metal where the light used to be. I had read somewhere that nose mounted lights can get very hot and can actually burn a crew member who accidently leans up against the bulb(s).

[Jackflash]

You might be right about some high headlights being moved down to the nose, but more than
likely in the majority of these cases where you
see that patch up above the windshield it was where there use to be a figure 8 warning light
I know you have seen them, it was a headlight that
was motor driven that would sweep back and forth
to warn automobiles at crossings, they are rare
now, I'm sure that some carriers do move the regular headlight in order to keep their engines
uniform with each other. jackflash

[CShaveRR]

As someone already said, the headlight often was mounted low when there was a signal light of some sort in the higher position. I know that CNW moved the headlights of its ex-CGW GP30s and SD40s up from low to high.

[Anonymous]

Yep, done that many times myself. Feels pretty good at 10 degrees.
Ken

[eolafan]

Yes sir, I sure have seen the old "figure eight" rotating lights, but I don't think this is the case here. These are old BN (perhaps ex CB&Q, NP, SP&S or GN engines) and I don't remember any of these having gyrating lights on their freight hood units (I may be wrong with this one).

[Jackflash]

Maybe not, I know when you are looking at older
CSX engines and you see the sheetmetal repair
you can almost go to the bank, that it was where
a figure eight light was removed , jackflash

[Anonymous]

In Canada, the headlights are on the nose of most units. Watching CPR loco's, it's easy to tell the ex-Soo/Milw loco's,do to the high headlight. As for why, have you ever driving in a snowstorm with a light above you. The snow blinds you. With the lower headlight, you are able to see better. Maybe one reason they are like that.
Ian.
Saskatchewan, Canada.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I read when the BNSF transfered 50 SD60M's from Glendive to San Bernadino (or Barstow?) they moved the head lights from on top of the cab to the nose on all of them that went south.

[croteaudd]

Two choices both with undesirable consequences are a dilemma. I believe that is why there is no true headlight placement standard. The high headlight favors the safety of the crew outside the cab. But, Ian [6/1 3:24 p.m.] had an outstanding point. A low lose light way out in front maintains greater visibility is snowstorms. Personally, I would opt for the safety of any crewmember on the exterior, i.e., the high headlight. But, it really is an impossible situation.

[Anonymous]

I always thought it was a model idea Certain models have the headlights in different places. EMD more often then not places the lgihts on top, while GE places them (again, more often then not) on the nose..

If you look at the cover of June 2003 TRAINS magazine.. the lead RIO GRANDE actually has them in both locations.

Most headlights in canada are on the nose for better viability in snow.. rain and bad weather conditions.

~70% of CN locomotives have the light on the nose.

Detour kev.

[Jackflash]

Kev, those RIO GRANDE locos have a figure eight
crossing warning light, dont remember if its the
one up top or the one on the nose, dont think I
realy ever paid attention, be safe, jackflash

[Anonymous]

I concur with Ian from Saskatchewan's assessment. Being a fellow Canadian I think that the snow issue is why they are mounted low in Canada. It also allows the crew to bru***he snow off the headlights easier than if it is up high.
Ian, Kingston, ON