Many were the times waiting at East Dubuque for the TZ to Chicago when you
could see the Mars light playing off the bluff before you could see the train
arriving. It was also very cool to sit in a dome and watch the Mars light
playing the countryside.
Deacon Bernie
----- Original Message -----
From: clipperw@EarthLink.net
To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 10:15 AM
Subject: [CBQ] Re: Mars Lights
I agree with Russ that the white Mars lights were used at night only.
In the mid '50s, most road freights through Downers Grove used the
white Mars light at night. I specifically recall being able to see the
Mars flash west of Belmont Road long before you could see the actual
train or headlight. I recall one Saturday night in late 1956 at Forest
Ave with my dad. We could see a Mars light flashing beyond Belmont and
speculated whether it could be a steam locomotive (if was during the
last Fall "wheat rush" steam operation). Shortly, we heard her whistle
and sure enough, O-5 #5601 rolled by running "light". As she went by,
we could smell fresh paint burning off the hot surfaces. She had
apparently just been shopped and painted at Galesburg.
Most of the diesel powered road freights and road passenger trains also
used their Mars lights in the suburban territory at night in those days.
BTW, if the Mars light is operating during the day and one photographs
the locomotive, the light may appear off if it is pointing away from
the camera in its revolving cycle.
Bill Barber
On Wednesday, April 27, 2005, at 06:17 AM, CBQ@yahoogroups.com wrote:
> Date: Tue, 26 Apr 2005 22:16:39 -0500
> From: "Ralph W. Brown, Jr." <cbq682@grics.net>
> Subject: MARS Lights
>
> To all:
>
> As I was looking through volume 1 of the CB&Q in Color series, I
> noticed in the photographs that only the headlight was turn on. I
> haven't seen a picture showing a locomotive operating the MARS light.
> When was this light used?
>
> Some of the photographs are taken at crossing, but no light
> activation. I hope I'm not missing something here. Thanks.
>
> R.W. Brown, Jr.
> Galesburg, IL
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