gp9rm4108 wrote:It is ok by Canadian rules do dim the lights when approaching an oncoming movement but they still have to be on full power NO MATTER WHAT if you are coming up to a public crossing.
That same rule applies here inthe US under GCOR, NORAC and other rules. ALL lights must be on bright when approaching stations and grade crossings. The only time i dim mine is if i am approaching another train. And when the other crew does as well, that lets me know that at least the engineer is awake and alert. Anytime i dim and the other crew does not, i immediatley call them on the radio to make sure they are awake. There have been a number of collisions where the other crew reported that the oncoming train did not dim their lights, indicating almost certainly that both crewmembers were asleep. Check some past NTSB reports.
gp9rm4108 wrote:There are A LOT of engineers in my terminal who don't care about going over a crossing with their lights dimmed. They don't care about what the consequences are if they hit someone. The other crew doesn't need to be staring right into the lights.
Well then you need not feel bad for them when they end up in court and the victims attorneys can throw up the fact that they violated a safety rule which may have in turn caused the accident at hand.
It seem as though alot of engineers seem to think that humans are unable to look away or squint at a bright light. These are the same bunch of crybabies who call you over the radio and say "What are you afraid of the dark?" when i wont dim coming up on crossings. Let them whine, at least if and when i end up in a courtroom facing criminal charges as well as the possibility of finanical ruin, at least ill know i followed the rules and they cant hang me for that.
Even worse, most engineers sadly dont just dim their lights, they turn them off. Alot of the Amtrak guys do this as well. And to further make matters worse, in order to keep the ditch lights from pulsing, the Amtrak crews dont put there bell on while approaching and passing our stopped head ends (another rule violation). So now, anytime you get off the power to do a walk around you have to be constantly on the lookout for high speed trains with no lights on or bell. Great.