ditch lights

mattatude said:

thank you for your input guys. guess i only have to use my sd40 up trains for ditchlights then. trainz really needs to put ditch lights on all trains. think they did do that on trains 2010 but my version sucks right now. doesn't like my computer. computer is fine just the software.

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chickenjoe said:

I know that this is an old thread but EVERY locomotive in the USA (ecept steam units) has ditch lights.

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chickenjoe said:

Which locomotive in the USA has no ditch lights?

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The Code of Federal Regulations (Sec. 229.133) states:
(1) Ditch lights.
(i) Ditch lights shall consist of two white lights, each producing a steady beam of at least 200,000 candela, placed at the front of the locomotive, at least 36 inches above the top of the rail.
(ii) Ditch lights shall be spaced at least 36 inches apart if the vertical distance from the headlight to the horizontal axis of the ditch lights is 60 inches or more.
(iii) Ditch lights shall be spaced at least 60 inches apart if the vertical distance from the headlight to the horizontal axis of the ditch lights is less than 60 inches.
(iv) Ditch lights shall be focused horizontally within 45 degrees of the longitudinal centerline of the locomotive.
(3) Crossing lights.
(i) Crossing lights shall consist of two white lights, placed at the front of the locomotive, at least 36 inches above the top of the rail.
(ii) Crossing lights shall be spaced at least 36 inches apart if the vertical distance from the headlight to the horizontal axis of the ditch lights is 60 inches or more.
(iii) Crossing lights shall be spaced at least 60 inches apart if the vertical distance from the headlight to the horizontal axis of the ditch lights is less than 60 inches.
(iv) Each crossing light shall produce at least 200,000 candela, either steadily burning or alternately flashing.
(v) The flash rate of crossing lights shall be at least 40 flashes per minute and at most 180 flashes per minute.
(vi) Crossing lights shall be focused horizontally within 15 degrees of the longitudinal centerline of the locomotive.
The following is an explanation definition of:
1) Ditch lights
2) Crossing lights
as they relate to the above:
Very simply, the definitions of the two terms are illustrated in the names themselves. Both are similar, in that they are designed to illuminate those portions of the track right-of-way that lie outside the area normally illuminated by the standard headlight. They are similar also in that they both typically use the same 200- or 350- watt sealed beam found in the standard headlight, and, thus, share the same narrow beam width.
"Ditch light" refers to the "ditch" or area of the right-of-way located immediately forward of the locomotive, to either side of the track that this light illuminates. These lights are designed to increase the visibility of the train crews themselves, thus providing an added margin of safety against potential hazards that might exist in those areas. This explains, also, the use of a wider focal angle than that recommended for "crossing lights."
On the other hand, as the name would seem to imply, "crossing lights" are used as much to provide a warning to motor vehicle operators located at highway/rail intersections at grade some distance ahead of an approaching train in its direction of travel as they are to provide better visibility for the train crews. In order to accomplish this a narrower focal angle is used to ensure that the light can be seen far enough up the track in advance of the arrival of the train at the crossing that it can provide adequate warning.
Generally, ditch lights are used in a steady burn mode. Crossing lights are set to flash at a minimum of 40 flashes per minute (maximum 180 flashes per minute).
Randall Dickinson
Grade Crossing Manager for the FRA
Clifton Park, New York

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Sec. 229.133 refers to interim auxiliary lighting rules for conformance to 229.125(d-h).
The Code of Federal Regulations (Sec. 229.125) states:
(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 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]

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The FRA has stated that the 2 auxiliary lights in the paragraphs d-h (above), must form the base of the triangle. It was also stated that the intent was that the lights be headlight lamps and not strobes.

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gfisher said:

One does have to wonder if we have gotten any noticable improvment in safety out of all of this government regulation of lighting. We do, after all, still have trains hitting people and vehicles because some humans are idiots and others are suicidal, and no amount of lights will change any of that condition.

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