OK experts, Here's a dumb question I need answered

[grandeman]

Are the small lights to the left and right of the lower headlight on this Geep ditch lights or marker lights? How were they used on the prototype? Were they turned off for approaching trains? Were they used in yard areas or just on the road? I've got them set up to flash like current low mounted ditch lights because they look cool, but I know the 1960's prototype didn't flash at crossings. Still, I'd like to know the proper nomenclature and when and why they were used. Please forgive the basic nature of the questions. [:I]

[Anonymous]

I thought those were marker lights? Not sure the way that The Rio Grande used them. You DCC guys kill me [;)]

[1shado1]

They are classification lights.

[jeffshultz]

Classification lights, yep. Don't see them much anymore.

I don't think they were nearly as bright as ditch lights either.

[Anonymous]

They are definitely class lights.
White indicated an "Extra Train" not found in the Time Table.
Green indicated a 2nd section is following a regular scheduled train.
Red was used when the engines were pushing at the rear of a train.
In the day time white and green flags were used instead of the lights.
And yes, they were not as bright as ditch lights of today.
gtr

[grandeman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gtirr

They are definitely class lights.
White indicated an "Extra Train" not found in the Time Table.
Green indicated a 2nd section is following a regular scheduled train.
Red was used when the engines were pushing at the rear of a train.
In the day time white and green flags were used instead of the lights.
And yes, they were not as bright as ditch lights of today.
gtr

Searching for which FX function that can turn these white bulbs different colors...[:D]

[grandeman]

Thanks for the replies everyone!!! We'll probably just use them when running "extras". They do look cool flashing though. [V] BTW, they've been dimmed down considerably since that pic was taken to make the bulbs last. We're up to 560 ohm resistors now.

[skiloff]

A little off topic, but you know, I enjoy modelling the railroads around where I grew up (CN and CP), but if I ever decided to go in a different direction, the Rio Grande has always looked so cool to me and your photos just entice me more.

[grandeman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by skiloff

A little off topic, but you know, I enjoy modelling the railroads around where I grew up (CN and CP), but if I ever decided to go in a different direction, the Rio Grande has always looked so cool to me and your photos just entice me more.

The Grande was a cool RR! The location, equipment and challenges presented by mountain railroading all add up to a road that facinates me. If you like first and second generation diesels, this video will have you hooked on the Grande for life! http://www.greenfrog.com/product255.html Having lived out west (Colo, Wyo) twice in my life made me want to model the area even more. Also, there's such an array of products on the market for D&RGW modelers to choose from. Life is good!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by grande man

QUOTE: Originally posted by skiloff

A little off topic, but you know, I enjoy modelling the railroads around where I grew up (CN and CP), but if I ever decided to go in a different direction, the Rio Grande has always looked so cool to me and your photos just entice me more.

The Grande was a cool RR! The location, equipment and challenges presented by mountain railroading all add up to a road that facinates me. If you like first and second generation diesels, this video will have you hooked on the Grande for life! http://www.greenfrog.com/product255.html Having lived out west (Colo, Wyo) twice in my life made me want to model the area even more. Also, there's such an array of products on the market for D&RGW modelers to choose from. Life is good!

Eric

What time frame are you modeling? We need more track side details from you too [^]

[dehusman]

Class lights don't flash.

Dave H.

[grandeman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dthurman


What time frame are you modeling? We need more track side details from you too [^]

Hey David, the timeframe is 1965. As for details, I need to get started detailing the powerplant scene... With all these new locos we've got coming, I've got plenty to do with getting them set up with decoders. Most of them won't have plugs so they'll need to be hardwired. That's no problem but it does take time away from other work on the RR for a while.

[AntonioFP45]

Absolutely not a dumb question.

BTW: Class lights do not flash.

I like class lights and this is one feature that I plan on having on locomotives I equip with DCC. To me this is one of those "little extras" that bring out the realism in model locomotives.

On prototype locomotives Class lights are not bright at all. In fact, during the 1970s I remember seeing that older 1st generation locomotives with Class Light lenses that had become so grimy on the inside that the lights were barely visible.

I don't see Class lights much anymore except on a few 2nd generation diesels that still run around here in Florida and even then most of them have had the lights removed or sheet metaled over.

[Anonymous]

The ditch lights came later and I believe that the flashing was to alert the idiot going around crossing gates or the fashing/ringing cross buck of the danger of the oncoming, horn blowing train before the "accident".
Will

[Anonymous]

I decided to run green classification lights on my F7's, since my layout is small and the the train is always following itself.[:D]

I used a green LED and fiberoptics, I also use red LEDs for rear markers and white for headlamps.