Re: [CBQ] Re: Head Light Operation on Steam Engines

["'Patrick Homan' homanfamily@fuse.net [CBQ]" <CBQ@yahoogroups.com>]

Bob La Messena, a great source of all information, researched this when I asked about this probably about 15 years ago or more.  He wrote and stated it started on an eastern road, probably the Susquehanna, when they first used diesels, and for similar reasons already cited by Mr. Zannicheck.  When the locomotives started to move in the yards, there were some close calls if not accidents.  The practive spread to other roads.  I have a 1951 CB&Q Rule Book where Rule 17 states: The headlight will be displayed to the front of every train by day and by night.  It must ...the rule goes on to discuss the issues of being in the clear on a siding or passing track etc., etc.

 

Rule 18 states: Yard engines will display to front and rear by night.  When not provided with a headlight at the rear, a white light must be displayed. 

It also notes that headlights at the end coupled to a high car can be extinguished.  

                                                                                                                Pat

 

From: Don Brown dbrown02@rochester.rr.com [CBQ]

Sent: Sunday, May 07, 2017 6:57 PM

To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [CBQ] Re: Head Light Operation on Steam Engines

 

Maybe it was not you, but the fireman.  I can't speak for the Burlington, but in general pointing two fingers toward your eyes was a signal that the headlight was not on, at least on the roads I worked on.

On 5/7/2017 3:28 PM, Frank Piekarz frankpiekarz@att.net [CBQ] wrote:

 

In 1972 I was on a BN track gang out of Downers Grove.  We were policing up tie plates and spikes to finish out the week after replacing the ties on track 3 out to Eola.  My job was to make sure everyone was clear of  the tracks for approaching trains.  An eastbound freight on track 3 was the first one to appear but the headlight was not on. A horn blow from our truck cleared the crew off the tracks.  As the lead unit rolled by I pointed to the headlight, then to my eye and shook my head.  Apparently this was the the wrong railroad hand signal -- this was a summer job for me and appropriate hand signals were not required training for track gangs -- it was met with a blank stare from the fireman.  Assuming it was equipment failure and not negligence what's the rule when the lead unit doesn't have a working headlight?

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Posted by: "Patrick Homan" <homanfamily@fuse.net>

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