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Here's a quick-and-dirty discussion of headlights, particularly those on F units. The operating rules on most railroads required loco headlights to be able to show a bright setting, a dim setting, and to be extinguished entirely. An extinguished setting was a signal the train was in the clear on a siding, and that the main track was unobstructed. Very useful information when 2 trains are meeting on a single-track railroad. A dim setting was required when moving in yards, when 2 trains were approachi ng each other on double track, or in other situations when a dim setting would avoid distraction or aid in identification of passing trains. Otherwise, a bright setting was to be used for the headlight of the engine on any train. On F units equipped with 2 headlight housings, the lower housing almost always was used for the principal headlight, which was displayed as described above. The upper of the 2 housings then was used for a signal light, which typically of the mechanical oscillating variety. Mars and Gyralight were 2 trade names for these lights, which used a motor-driven mechanism for moving the light up and down and from side to side, as sort of a predecessor of the flashing strobe-type light. A white oscillating light was used as a warning for motorists and pedestrians. A red oscillating light, on those engines so equipped, was used as a warning of danger to other approaching trains. F units with only 1 headlight housing (usually at the top of the nose of the unit) carried only the principal headlight, and had no oscillating lights. --John
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