Eastern Railroad Discussion > Questions re: Blinking Ditch Lights

Just watched a video where the lead engine had its ditch lights on but not flashing as it approached a grade crossing.  On other videos I have seen ditching lights switch from steady-state to flashing when approaching a grade crossing, then switched back to steady-state after the crossing.  Questions, please: Is the selection of ditch light flashing mode controlled automatically or by the engineer? Do railroads have official but differing rules for when to flash the ditch lights, or is that the prerogative of the engineer?  Thanks. 

 

the engineer has nothing to do with the Flash, it's how the locomotive is set up. CSX and NS has their locomotives set up to Flash while the BNSF and UP have their set up to stay steady all the time.(I think that correct, could be wrong)  Just depends on how the railroad ordered/built the Locomotive

CSX & NS have the ditch lights flash when the bell is activated.  When the engineer shuts off the bell, it also shuts off the relay to the flasher.

I cant speak for CSX, but on NS the bell is not tied to the flasher relay.

There is a three way switch on the control stand, "off, on, flashing"

When the horn is blown, the ditch lights will flash regardless what position this switch is thrown. Otherwise they will only flash when the switch is stuck to flashing. (Useful for quiet zones).

I agree with BelltuckeyFoamconductor above.  He is correct about the NS locomotives and ditch lights..

Same goes for CSX as well.

djm448 Wrote:
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> CSX & NS have the ditch lights flash when the bell
> is activated.  When the engineer shuts off the
> bell, it also shuts off the relay to the flasher.

That's TOTALLY WRONG. If you don't know, don't speculate; learn something from reading the posts of those who DO know.

Some Ex SP GEs on UP flash also.

Posted from Android

nsrlink Wrote:
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> djm448 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > CSX & NS have the ditch lights flash when the
> bell
> > is activated.  When the engineer shuts off the
> > bell, it also shuts off the relay to the
> flasher.
>
> That's TOTALLY WRONG. If you don't know, don't
> speculate; learn something from reading the posts
> of those who DO know.

Today, I am thankful for your use of caps lock. 

Sorry for the bad info... I was told this answer about 7-8 years ago when I myself asked a fellow railfan I met in passing when a NS unit led on UP tracks in STL.  If only I could find him today and correct him.  I'd even USE CAPS LOCK....

A series of BNSF SD70MACs was built with flashing ditch lights. The lights would flash every time I blew the horn, and would continue flashing for 10-15 seconds after I stopped. In addition, there is a button I could hit in the cab next to the alerter that would set them to flashing as well.
I'm not aware of any rules pertaining to flashing ditch lights on my railroad. As far as I can recall, there wasn't a light setting that disabled the flashing. So it was outside of my control.

Posted from iPhone

djm448 Wrote:
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> nsrlink Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > djm448 Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > CSX & NS have the ditch lights flash when the
> > bell
> > > is activated.  When the engineer shuts off
> the
> > > bell, it also shuts off the relay to the
> > flasher.
> >
> > That's TOTALLY WRONG. If you don't know, don't
> > speculate; learn something from reading the
> posts
> > of those who DO know.
>
> Today, I am thankful for your use of caps lock. 
>
> Sorry for the bad info... I was told this answer
> about 7-8 years ago when I myself asked a fellow
> railfan I met in passing when a NS unit led on UP
> tracks in STL.  If only I could find him today
> and correct him.  I'd even USE CAPS LOCK....

YOUR FIRST MISTAKE WAS LISTENING TO A RAILFAN !!!

qed479 Wrote:

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> Just watched a video where the lead engine had its
> ditch lights on but not flashing as it approached
> a grade crossing.  On other videos I have seen
> ditching lights switch from steady-state to
> flashing when approaching a grade crossing, then
> switched back to steady-state after the crossing.
>  Questions, please: Is the selection of ditch
> light flashing mode controlled automatically or by
> the engineer? Do railroads have official but
> differing rules for when to flash the ditch
> lights, or is that the prerogative of the
> engineer?  Thanks. 
>
>  The use of flashing ditch lites is an FRA regulation!!

> YOUR FIRST MISTAKE WAS LISTENING TO A RAILFAN !!!

Like

Here's the Federal regulation in its entirety:

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=02a8377a90ddfa508f074ac850056306&mc=true&node=se49.4.229_1125&rgn=div8

Note the "or" and "if" statements.

Ray

CSX locos do not have an option for flashing ditchlights. They only oscillate when horn is sounded, otherwise they are on continously. The only choice the engineer has is OFF, DIM, MED, BRIGHT or BRIGHT WITH DITCHLIGHTS ON. Different CSX locos have slightly different switch arrangements but similar options. Many EMD and retrofit (Older) CSX locos have a independent (on continuously or off) control of ditchlight. If a loco on CSX had rear ditchlights (gp40-2, etc), the engineer must also choose direction. Occasionally, especially during daylight hours, an engineer may mistakenly leave the ditchlights illuminate on the wring end of the loco due to this. This issue becomes readily apparent at night!

Posted from Android

mkostecky Wrote:

> >  The use of flashing ditch lites is an FRA
> regulation!!

No, it's not.  A number of RR's, primarily in the western United States, don't use flashing ditch lights.

Bioyans is correct. Typical railfan mis information . Read the CFR. Shortlines often do not have flashing.
RWJ
-------------------------------------------------------
> mkostecky Wrote:
>
> > >  The use of flashing ditch lites is an FRA
> > regulation!!
>
> No, it's not.  A number of RR's, primarily in the
> western United States, don't use flashing ditch
> lights.

I'm not a rail, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn express last night...

I've operated CEFX 3802, (GP38-3), several times in the past year, and the ditch lights on either end flash when the horn is sounded, depending upon direction selected. This only operates when the ditch lights and head light are in "Bright."

Took some getting used to from the CN and CP units which do not have the feature.

Locotrol2

Posted from iPhone



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/27/15 15:53 by Locotrol2.