As a driver on British Railways I can tell you that the front lights on train are not for the driver to see with but so that the train can be seen by workers on the track. In steam days oil lamps were used as markers and the position of these on the front of the locomotive indicated to signalmen what class of train it was, for example, a lamp above each buffer signified an express passenger train. Modern trains are being fitted with brighter headlights but it is still not easy to see the track ahead with them. Remember that all track in Britain must, by law, be fenced so the chances of people or animals straying onto the line is considerably less than in the U.S.
Malc.
I've been on the footplate now for 37 years and have never hit anything yet (apart from one suicide) and have no qualms about driving trains at 100mph in total darkness as long as I can see the signals. In fog or poor visibility we have the Automatic Warning System which rings a bell in the cab 200yds before a signal displaying a green (clear) aspect or causes a horn to sound in the cab if the signal is displaying a restrictive aspect (double yellow, single yellow or red). The horn continues to sound until the driver presses and releases a button on the control desk. If the button is not pressed and released in about 7 seconds, power is automatically cut off and an emergecy brake application initiated. The train must come to a stop then before the brakes can be released.