QUOTE (Martin71 @ 10 Jul 2008, 15:30)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi
Just a question on lighting on English diesel loco's. Is there a set of rules that they must comply with for day and night. I have noticed that the seem to differ and no set format is followed.
The 66 mentioned here what would be the correct lighting for it? Would it run 1 big 1 small during the day and night 2 big 2 small.
Just interested as I have seen so many different setups.
Confused
m
It used to be in the Group Standards but I've just looked and it doesn't seem to be there any more. I think I heard something about the relevant standard changing.
In summary locos run with one main headlight lit - recent ones carry one each side and although they look the same one is adjusted for day and one for night. I think if one headlight fails the other can be used in an emergency. If the lit headlight is to one side then the smaller "marker light" on the opposite side must also be lit, if it is in the middle then marker lights both sides must be lit. All trains since about 1994 also have a third white light centrally above the cab windows, which is always lit when at the front of the train.
All the above applies to the front of the train only. The rear of the train must carry at least one lit red tail lamp - locos, multiple units and most surviving hauled coaches have two (non-flashing), but can continue in service if one of them fails. Everything also has a lamp bracket, which carries a portable flashing tail lamp on freight trains or any other train where the built-in lights are not in use, and occasionally carries a portable headlight (most often on main line steam locomotives). All these lights must be removed or extinguished on any vehicle end which is not the end of the train (hence loco tail lights should not be lit when hauling a train). When shunting, marker and tail lights are often lit together on both ends of a loco.