Craig Tambo Wrote:
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> I think what it boils down to is that Caltrain
> equipment had gyra-lites before ditch lights were
> required, and they just didn't remove them. The
> law specifically requires ditch lights regardless.


Unless it has changed since '93-'94, that's not accurate. Here's the answer to why CalTrain installed ditch lights-
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)..."