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Amtrak inhereted all of its observation cars from other railroads, and those roads followed different practices with respect to observation car tail lights mounted on the centerline of the car. If the tail light had a red lense, only a red indication could be shown. A steady red served as a marker light. If the light could operate in either a steady or an oscillating mode, the oscillating feature would probably be regarded not just as a marker, but as a flagging signal (indicating the train was stopped or running at less than normal speed). Note that many observation car tail lights had clear lenses. Some of these cars could display only a white light to the rear, but this was a useful feature--a white light is usually required on the leading car of a train which is backing up (especially at night). Also, some roads required a white light to be substited for a red marker when a train was turned out and in the clear on a siding. Some observation cars were equipped with clear outer lenses, but had white and red lights within the light housing. These cars could display either a white or a red indication to the rear. --John
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