Craig Tambo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hutch 7.62 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > MG42 Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > The Mars lights must be non-operational, or
> it
> > > wouldn't have ditch lights...per FRA rules.
> >
> >
> > Then why did the Caltrain F-40's and cabcars
> get
> > ditch lights when they still had oscillating
> > lights in the mid to late 90's?
>
> The law says you have to have ditch lights, the
> prescence of oscillating lights is immaterial.


If you have a locomotive which has working mars/gyralights, it doesn't need to have ditch lights. There was an article in Model RR'er about ditch lights, and they stated that was what the FRA rule is.

From January 2006 Model Railroader article "Are you in the dark about ditch lights?"-

"...Although they are considered an acceptable "alerting light" under current FRA rules, oscillating signal lights (i.e. Mars/Gyralights) are not common today...The FRA identified several systems, including oscillating lights, strobe warning lights, and both flashing and steady burn ditch lights; the agency issued rules in 1993 and 1994 requiring the use of one of these systems. In service studies of ditch lights began in 1993, after CalTrain equipped its entire fleet of passenger locomotives with ditch lights...CalTrain saw a whopping 76.4 percent reduction (of accidents)..."

If the rule has changed since then, please enlighten us all.