Railroad Forums
Moderator: John_Perkowski
U-Haul wrote:I read somewhere that new locomotives cannot be ordered with MARS lights, but FRA compliance CFR 49, Part 229.133 seems to say differently. Actually, it is quite confusing to read. Theoretically speaking: if Norfolk Southern wished to order MARS lights on their ES40DCs instead of ditch lights would it be a illegal or legal choice.That would be illegal. If you read carefully, you'll see 49 CFR 229.133 covers "interim measures" for adapting locomotives built before the ditch-light era to comforn with the new laws. According to Sec. 229.133(c)(1), oscillating lights are allowed in place of ditch lights if they were installed on the locomotive prior to Jan. 1, 1996.
SD Shortline wrote:I think the flashing ditch lights would be just as effective as a MARS. Although, the KCS has both flashers and MARS light or at least until they shopped the locomotives.IMO, a Mars light gets drivers' attention better and sooner at grade crossings, and for the crew, far from being annoying, they provide a more direct intense light beyond the ballast into the ROW and at crossings to be able to see anything which might be a hazard. I work with a GP-7 and F-7 that have Mars, and I prefer them to running the ditch lights at night.
What do the engineers on this forum think of them wiggeling around all over the place at night?
I always thought that they would be kind of annoying when you are setting behind them at night.
LocoBrakeman wrote: IMO, a Mars light gets drivers' attention better and sooner at grade crossings, and for the crew, far from being annoying, they provide a more direct intense light beyond the ballast into the ROW and at crossings to be able to see anything which might be a hazard. I work with a GP-7 and F-7 that have Mars, and I prefer them to running the ditch lights at night.I'm pretty certain the triangular pattern is to give anyone near the tracks a better visual reference as to how close the train is.