Even in the 70s white class lights were used on the dinkie engines. I once asked at a rules exam about it since they were scheduled trains and orders were written. To no. 202,etc not extra 99xx. Got a lot of double talk answer.
Leo
Dave,
Considering the fact that the C&I was CTC territory from Aurora to Savanna from sometime between the mid to late 1940’s, I not sure that the use of the class lights or flags was required by the rulebook, as all of the trains moved on signal indications provided the CTC was functioning as intended. (Maybe it wasn’t in the rulebook but a note in the special instructions of the ETT) Now having said that, photos would tend to indicate that the class lights were not always turned off while running over the C&I, so I can’t say for sure on that. Any comments be the railroaders on the list regarding displaying of signals in CTC territory?
Ed
I have a question regarding the use of class lights on GP 7's and 9's on the "Q" in general during the 1950's and early 1960's. I would also like to know if the practice was followed on the C&I. As I recall a "green class light" (or flag) would indicate that an unscheduled extra of the same train would follow. A "white class light" (or flag) would indicate that the train was the extra. So for trains following the standard schedule would there be no class light illuminated ?
By the mid 1950's and into the 60's would the "Q" have used class lights or flags along the C&I or did they follow another practice by then?