John:
The following was cut and pasted from an earlier reply:
BTW, I believe the Q units used oscillating lamps made by the Mars Light
Co., and not Gyralights. The oscillating headlights moved in a
horizontal figure eight pattern and could be placed in a stationary
position if needed. Normally on the Q, the white Mars light was used at
night, during inclement weather, and when ever the engineer chose, often
whenever the train was in motion. They were not used in yards or areas
without grade crossings, like east of Cicero. The red lights were
automatically activated by an emergency brake application or manually be
the engineer as additional flag type protection.
The red mars light would not normally be used to provide protection for
a reverse movement. Operating rule were normally indifferent to the type
of propulsion.
Ed DeRouin
|