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Re: [CBQ] E5 step lights

To: "CBQ@groups.io" <CBQ@groups.io>
Subject: Re: [CBQ] E5 step lights
From: "Harold Krewer via groups.io" <HKRITS=hotmail.com@groups.io>
Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:44:31 +0000
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Thread-topic: E5 step lights

Tom/List:

Unfortunately, without an actual E5B laying around to check, the answer will never be 100% accurate, but in typical practice step lights are a more modern convenience, applied only where crew members would normally be boarding and alighting from the locomotive. I've not seen them applied to an E or F unit.

On an E of F unit, what you refer to as a "step light" is probably the "ground light." Locomotives have such a ground light underneath the cab windows so the engine crew can see the actual ground speed of the locomotive compared to throttle position or speedometer reading. VERY helpful for knowing how much wheel slip you might be getting, when (or if) to apply sand or when you have the train moving and can throttle up.

Ground lights are usually only applied to the cab end of the loco.

I'm attaching a Mitch Goldman photo of the 9911A at IRM taken at dusk that clearly shows the illuminated ground light. Notice it really isn't directed at the ladder to the cab but toward the ground.

I'm 99% sure (lacking that actual E5B mentioned earlier) that there would be no step or ground lights on a booster unit.

Harold Krewer
Causing More Problems Than He Solves Since 1961
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Attachment: CBQ9911A pan shot at IRM 09-20-14 Mitch Goldman photo.jpg
Description: CBQ9911A pan shot at IRM 09-20-14 Mitch Goldman photo.jpg

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