LOCOMOTIVE ROOFTOP BEACONS

[Anonymous]

I guess what I am wondering is why they would be needed as an attention getting device when there are already several other warning devices such as headlight, ditchlights, horn, and bell.  Is the beason just considered to be one more component of that mix of warning devices, or it is intended for some specific situation not addressed by the other devices? 

How much of the beacon warning function is intended to provide warning at grade crossings?

[csxengineer98]

roof top beacons where never FRA requited.  but if a unit is equiped with one..it has to work or the engin is a shop due to a defective safty device.  they where and are put on as a warning/attention getting device to draw someones attention to the fact that there is a train comeing.  now csx never used them on the cab roofs for a warning device untill they started to use RCLs in yard switching oppoperations..now RCLs have 2 yellow strob beacons on the cab roofs of the enigns..
and just to awnser another beacon question about csx engins if your thinking about it...units that are equpiped with the K9 auxilory power unit have a strob light on the long hood...it only comes when there is a malfuction with the K9 unit to aleart the engineer there is a problem with it so he/she can go back and reset it if it can be reset to normal opporation...
csx engineer

[Anonymous]

Are the yellow flashing beacons on cab roofs applied and used at the individual preference of the railroad companies or are they used universally?  If the latter, are they required by the FRA?  What is their purpose?