Railfan Technology > Gyralite Question

I have a red Gyralite from the nose of an old SP engine.  Any help on how to make it work at home would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you in advance.

There was another thread on this subject less than a month ago.  You might want to start there.  Some decent suggestions, such as running it at a reduced voltage , unless you want to light up the neighborhood or signal the International Space Station.

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?9,3759526

John

The SP (and some other roads) used the forward red (often moving like the Gyra Light) to indicate the train was stopped by an emergency air brake application.
This was due to the risk on double track that a train approaching on the opposite track would collide with any derailed cars that might be fouling that track.
They may have been used when the locomotive was at the rear of the movement, and pushing with the cab to the rear.
It was rare to see them lit up on the main line and everything stopped until the situation was sorted out.
One could see them in yards and engine terminals as the brake systems were tested and changed around.
If you never see them lit, then you're running an efficient, safe RR.

Thank you.  Having grown up on the SP, I am fully aware of how and why they were used.  We had them at Amtrak on our F40s in the form of a red strobe and used in the same manner.  The rule stated that if you came upon a train and the red strobe was flashing, you were to stop, contact that train to find out if you could proceed.  If you could, then such movement was to be at restricted speed.  But thanks anyway.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/18/15 13:08 by whistlepig.