Ditch Lights

"Ray" wrote in news:C2Eyc.87243$wd7.17771 @front-1.news.blueyonder.co.uk:

A pair lights, one left, one right, usually low on the front of the engine to illimuniate the "ditches" on either side of the roadbed (and further increase visibility). For a cute little animated example, see:

First used in Canada, and then copied by the States.

-- Cheers Roger T.

Home of the Great Eastern Railway

Ok, now a follow-up question: Why does the driver need to see what is in the ditches? Surely the train follows the rails, and anything spotted in the ditches is too close for the driver to have time to avoid anyway?

Regards, Greg.P.

I think that the intention is to increase the visibility the train to those at trackside, and particularly to motorists on level crossings.

At least, that was the rationale given for fitting them to locos and MU stock her in NSW.

Not copied, despite being called ditchlights in USA by railfans and some railroaders the lights in USA are Auxiliary headlight, and are aimed differed than ditch lights. A true ditch light the left light shines cross eyed in right ditch and right light shines in left ditch see :

on trains in USA the lights shine straight ahead with a spread of about 15 degrees max. see: for rules:

TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

PART 229--RAILROAD LOCOMOTIVE SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents

Subpart C--Safety Requirements

Sec. 229.125 Headlights and auxiliary lights.

(a) Each lead locomotive used in road service shall have a headlight that produces at least 200,000 candela. If a locomotive or locomotive consist in road service is regularly required to run backward for any portion of its trip other than to pick up a detached portion of its train or to make terminal movements, it shall also have on its rear a headlight that produces at least 200,000 candela. Each headlight shall be arranged to illuminate a person at least 800 feet ahead and in front of the headlight. (b) Each locomotive or locomotive consist used in yard service shall have two headlights, one located on the front of the locomotive or locomotive consist and one on its rear. Each headlight shall produce at least 60,000 candela and shall be arranged to illuminate a person at least 300 feet ahead and in front of the headlight. (c) Headlights shall be provided with a device to dim the light. (d) Effective December 31, 1997, each lead locomotive operated at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour over one or more public highway- rail crossings shall be equipped with operative auxiliary lights, in addition to the headlight required by paragraph (a) or (b) of this section. A locomotive equipped on March 6, 1996 with auxiliary lights in conformance with Sec. 229.133 shall be deemed to conform to this section until March 6, 2000. All locomotives in compliance with Sec. 229.133(c) shall be deemed

[[Page 307]]

to conform to this section. Auxiliary lights shall be composed as follows: (1) Two white auxiliary lights shall be placed at the front of the locomotive to form a triangle with the headlight. (i) The auxiliary lights shall be at least 36 inches above the top of the rail, except on MU locomotives and control cab locomotives where such placement would compromise the integrity of the car body or be otherwise impractical. Auxiliary lights on such MU locomotives and control cab locomotives shall be at least 24 inches above the top of the rail. (ii) The auxiliary lights shall be spaced at least 36 inches apart if the vertical distance from the headlight to the horizontal axis of the auxiliary lights is 60 inches or more. (iii) The auxiliary lights shall be spaced at least 60 inches apart if the vertical distance from the headlight to the horizontal axis of the auxiliary lights is less than 60 inches. (2) Each auxiliary light shall produce at least 200,000 candela. (3) The auxiliary lights shall be focused horizontally within 15 degrees of the longitudinal centerline of the locomotive. (e) Auxiliary lights required by paragraph (d) of this section may be arranged (1) to burn steadily or (2) flash on approach to a crossing. If the auxiliary lights are arranged to flash; (i) they shall flash alternately at a rate of at least 40 flashes per minute and at most 180 flashes per minute, (ii) the railroad's operating rules shall set a standard procedure for use of flashing lights at public highway-rail grade crossings, and (iii) the flashing feature may be activated automatically, but shall be capable of manual activation and deactivation by the locomotive engineer. (f) Auxiliary lights required by paragraph (d) of this section shall be continuously illuminated immediately prior to and during movement of the locomotive, except as provided by railroad operating rules, timetable or special instructions, unless such exception is disapproved by FRA. A railroad may except use of auxiliary lights at a specific public highway-rail grade crossing by designating that exception in the railroad's operating rules, timetable, or a special order. Any exception from use of auxiliary lights at a specific public grade crossing can be disapproved for a stated cause by FRA's Associate Administrator for Safety or any one of FRA's Regional Administrators, after investigation by FRA and opportunity for response from the railroad. (g) Movement of locomotives with defective auxiliary lights. (1) A lead locomotive with only one failed auxiliary light must be repaired or switched to a trailing position before departure from the place where an initial terminal inspection is required for that train. (2) A locomotive with only one auxiliary light that has failed after departure from an initial terminal, must be repaired not later than the next calendar inspection required by Sec. 229.21. (3) A lead locomotive with two failed auxiliary lights may only proceed to the next place where repairs can be made. This movement must be consistent with Sec. 229.9. (h) Any locomotive subject to Part 229, that was built before December 31, 1948, and that is not used regularly in commuter or intercity passenger service, shall be considered historic equipment and excepted from the requirements of paragraphs (d) through (h) of this section.

[45 FR 21109, Mar. 31, 1980, as amended at 61 FR 8887, Mar. 6, 1996]