Ditch Lights

[Modelcar]

.....But being seen at a crossing surely is an added bonus.

[enr2099]

Modelcar

.....But being seen at a crossing surely is an added bonus.

 

 

Oh, most definately.

[joesap1]

the two lights are very bright and are required to be on before going across a public grade crossing. The idea to that the bright light will cause the driver to stop their car and wait for the train to pass. Amazingily, some do stop.

[AgentKid]

enr2099

I'm surprised no one mentioned the reason Ditch lights were introduced in Canada. They were for better crew visability in mountainous terrain.

Great thread gentlemen. Here is a quote from CanadianPacific2816's excellent history thread.

MARCH 17, 1974

A CP Rail freight train hits a rock slide and derails at Spences Bridge, British Columbia, killing two crew members. This lead to the eventuall installation of ditch lights on Canadian trains.

I can't locate the exact date but it took about a year for the mandatory ruling to come down and a bit more time to implement it. I'm guessing but I seem to recall it happening in early 1976.

AgentKid

EDIT: I was trying to get a better handle on the date and after looking at the Winter 1999 edition of "CP Tracks", I see where the SD40-2's in the fleet at the time were modified during 1977. Units built after that time had them installed at the factory. The article didn't say when the other types of engines were fitted with ditch lights.

 

 

[henry6]

I remeber ditch lights on the hind end of business cars on the DL&W in the 50's anyway.  Employess used to grumble that they were on because one of the VP's lost a quarter along the right of way once and they were still looking for it.  As for locomotive ditch lights, it does offer the engine crew a better look at what's ahead both on and off the track. And when in the "blink" or "wink" mode, certainly gets one's attention.  Interestingly, ditch lights have been added to subways and other rapid transit, too. NY subways and PATH never (rarely if ever) had headlights, but did have two ditch type lights in the lower front panels or on the aticlimber only recently getting the wink mode.  Of course, European roads never had headlights but opted for the running ditch lights instead.