Re: [CBQ] E-unit headlight questions.

["Ray Bedard" <tczephyr@hotmail.com>]

In the 1960's, I frequently rode the TCZ, Empire Builder, Western Star, Denver Zephyr and California Zephyr. 

I would spend most of the night in the dome car watching the oscillating head light swing back and forth lighting up the track ahead of us. It was mesmerizing. I would look for any signs of life as we raced along the prairies at 80+ mph. 

Even as we pulled into a station, such as Omaha at almost midnight, or La Crosse, the mars light never went out.

I really enjoyed all those trips I made and am glad I was able to enjoy the tail end of the golden age of passenger service.

Ray Bedard

San Jose

From: CBQ@groups.io <CBQ@groups.io> on behalf of William Barber <clipperw@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2023 8:51 AM
To: CBQ@groups.io <CBQ@groups.io>
Subject: Re: [CBQ] E-unit headlight questions.

 

Re: Mars Light Usage.

In the 1950s and 1960s when I was growing up in Downers Grove, all mainline trains, passenger and freight, used both the white Mars light and fixed headlight at night. When daylight headlights became a requirement, only the fixed headlight was used during the daylight hours. I am not certain about the commuter trains. I don’t recall whether they used Mars lights at night. Those steam fan trips that operated after dark also used both headlights and Mars lights if the locomotives were equipped with a Mars light.

Bill Barber
Gravois Mills, MO

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