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Mars Lights

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locomutt
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Louisville,Ky.
  • 5,077 posts
Posted by locomutt on Monday, April 4, 2005 8:06 AM
C & O had them on their E & FP units,and I know that the
L & N had them on their GP-7& 9's

Being Crazy,keeps you from going "INSANE" !! "The light at the end of the tunnel,has been turned off due to budget cuts" NOT AFRAID A Vet., and PROUD OF IT!!

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M636C
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • 4,612 posts
Posted by M636C on Monday, April 4, 2005 7:41 AM
CB&Q even had red Mars Lights on the back of their Zephyrs. Their car 302 "Silver Star" was obtained by Mt Newman Mining, where it was known as "Sundowner". I remember standing on the track behind the Sundowner which was waiting to be attached to a train looking at the red light doing its figures of eight - it was just amazing! The light was marked "The Mars Signal Light Co."

Peter
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tree68
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,011 posts
Posted by tree68 on Monday, April 4, 2005 7:33 AM
IC ran them, too. On many first-generation diesels they were inside one of the headlight openings, so not very obvious in photos.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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spbed
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Austin TX
  • 4,941 posts
Posted by spbed on Monday, April 4, 2005 7:03 AM
Does NJT qualify? [:p][:D]

Originally posted by chad thomas
[

Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR  Austin TX Sub

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Anonymous
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 3, 2005 2:51 PM
Chad

Here are a couple of links for you. There is a difference between the Mars lights and a GyraLite but they both served the same purpose. I hope this helps some.

http://www.trainweb.org/gyra/gyra_use.htm

http://www.trainweb.org/gyra/photo/wprr.htm

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Anonymous
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 3, 2005 2:30 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas

Was the SP the only railroad to use the gyro-lights, or were there others ?


Many railroads used either Mars lights or GyraLites. Rio Grande, and Frisco are two that come to mind. Many of the E units had them and to me the additional light help the look of the E units.

I am not trying to be mean, but do a search in the forums for Mars Lights or GyraLites. We have had threads on these about every 5 or 6 months. There have been many links given in the past that would help you.

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ottergoose
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Hudson, WI
  • 115 posts
Posted by ottergoose on Sunday, April 3, 2005 2:23 PM
Milwaukee 261 has got a mars-light, not sure if this is the same as what you're talking about though.

Picture - http://test.261.com/cpg132/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=2
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chad thomas
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Ely, Nv.
  • 6,312 posts
Mars Lights
Posted by chad thomas on Sunday, April 3, 2005 1:28 PM
Was the SP the only railroad to use the gyro-lights, or were there others ?
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