Western Railroad Discussion > 4014 at Flatonia, TX

I'm not a big steam fan, but the 4014 just about made me one.  Here it is EB at Flatonia, TX on the UP Glidden Sub at 12:16pm Wednesday, running about 15-20 minutes late.  There was a huge crowd there and everybody was being safe.  After the train stopped the UP Crew let us go around to the South side of the train to get aa little better light.

Randy Lundgren
Elgin. TX

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Did they get some kind of waiver from FRA to run without ditch lights?

Thanks.

Randy Lundgren
Elgin, TX

Nice angle you shot from. Nice photo.
Brian Stevens

Posted from iPhone

texchief1 Wrote:
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> Did they get some kind of waiver from FRA to run
> without ditch lights?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Randy Lundgren
> Elgin, TX
Steam locomotives have applied forand been given ditch light wavers for years.
There are a number of waivers that have been granted to historical equiptment over the years.

Bob Krieger
Cheyenne, WY

I'm not positive on this, but I believe part of that waiver requires that the non-ditch light equipped steam engines run only during the day.  Notice they have never run any of their steam excursions at night.

If you have ever stood in front of one of those engines at night it hurts your eyes to look at their headlight.  And you certainly won't confuse them with a automobile.

HogheadMike Wrote:
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> I'm not positive on this, but I believe part of
> that waiver requires that the non-ditch light
> equipped steam engines run only during the day.
>  Notice they have never run any of their steam
> excursions at night.

4014 has run in darkness. Departed westward as scheduled from Rock Springs, WY at something like 4.00AM in May. Sunrise at Granger.

HogheadMike Wrote:
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> I'm not positive on this, but I believe part of
> that waiver requires that the non-ditch light
> equipped steam engines run only during the day.
>  Notice they have never run any of their steam
> excursions at night.

There is nothing in CFR 229.125 that limits use of locomotives without ditchlights to daylight hours.  

Any locomotive built before 1949 that is not in regular commuter service is exempt from the ditchlight requirements now in effect.