49 CFR 229.125 - Headlights and auxiliary lights
Author: OPRRMS
Date: 06-11-2012 - 02:53

Portions not specifically pertaining to "auxiliary lights" have been redacted for clarity (believe it or not).


49 CFR 229.125 - Headlights and auxiliary lights.

(d) Effective December 31, 1997, each lead locomotive operated at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour over one or more public highway-rail crossings shall be equipped with operative auxiliary lights, in addition to the headlight required by paragraph (a) or (b) of this section. A locomotive equipped on March 6, 1996 with auxiliary lights in conformance with Part 229.133 shall be deemed to conform to this section until March 6, 2000. All locomotives in compliance with Part 229.133(c) shall be deemed to conform to this section. Auxiliary lights shall be composed as follows:

(1) Two white auxiliary lights shall be placed at the front of the locomotive to form a triangle with the headlight.

(i) The auxiliary lights shall be at least 36 inches above the top of the rail, except on MU locomotives and control cab locomotives where such placement would compromise the integrity of the car body or be otherwise impractical. Auxiliary lights on such MU locomotives and control cab locomotives shall be at least 24 inches above the top of the rail.

(ii) The auxiliary lights shall be spaced at least 36 inches apart if the vertical distance from the headlight to the horizontal axis of the auxiliary lights is 60 inches or more.

(iii) The auxiliary lights shall be spaced at least 60 inches apart if the vertical distance from the headlight to the horizontal axis of the auxiliary lights is less than 60 inches.

(2) Each auxiliary light shall produce a peak intensity of at least 200,000 candela or shall produce at least 3,000 candela at an angle of 7.5 degrees and at least 400 candela at an angle of 20 degrees from the centerline of the locomotive when the light is aimed parallel to the tracks. Any of the following lamps meet the standard set forth in this paragraph (d)(2): an operative PAR-56, 200-watt, 30-volt lamp; an operative PAR-56, 350-watt, 75-volt lamp; or an operative lamp of equivalent design and intensity.

(3) The auxiliary lights shall be focused horizontally within 15 degrees of the longitudinal centerline of the locomotive.

(e) Auxiliary lights required by paragraph (d) of this section may be arranged

(1) To burn steadily or

(2) Flash on approach to a crossing.

If the auxiliary lights are arranged to flash;

(i) They shall flash alternately at a rate of at least 40 flashes per minute and at most 180 flashes per minute,

(ii) The railroad's operating rules shall set a standard procedure for use of flashing lights at public highway-rail grade crossings, and

(iii) The flashing feature may be activated automatically, but shall be capable of manual activation and deactivation by the locomotive engineer.

(f) Auxiliary lights required by paragraph (d) of this section shall be continuously illuminated immediately prior to and during movement of the locomotive, except as provided by railroad operating rules, timetable or special instructions, unless such exception is disapproved by FRA. A railroad may except use of auxiliary lights at a specific public highway-rail grade crossing by designating that exception in the railroad's operating rules, timetable, or a special order. Any exception from use of auxiliary lights at a specific public grade crossing can be disapproved for a stated cause by FRA's Associate Administrator for Safety or any one of FRA's Regional Administrators, after investigation by FRA and opportunity for response from the railroad.

(g) Movement of locomotives with defective auxiliary lights.

(1) A lead locomotive with only one failed auxiliary light must be repaired or switched to a trailing position before departure from the place where an initial terminal inspection is required for that train.

(2) A locomotive with only one auxiliary light that has failed after departure from an initial terminal, must be repaired not later than the next calendar inspection required by ? 229.21.

(3) A lead locomotive with two failed auxiliary lights may only proceed to the next place where repairs can be made. This movement must be consistent with Part 229.9.

(h) Any locomotive subject to Part 229, that was built before December 31, 1948, and that is not used regularly in commuter or intercity passenger service, shall be considered historic equipment and excepted from the requirements of paragraphs (d) through (h) of this section.

[45 FR 21109, Mar. 31, 1980, as amended at 61 FR 8887, Mar. 6, 1996; 68 FR 49717, Aug. 19, 2003; 69 FR 12537, Mar. 16, 2004]


So, the answer is, if it was built after 1948 and operates over one or more public crossings at grade at greater than 19.9 M.P.H., it has to have two ditch lights in addition to the headlight, regardless of whether or not it has a signal light.



Subject Written By Date/Time (PST)
  "Santa Fe 315 and 316" OPRRMS 06-09-2012 - 20:28
  Re: "Santa Fe 315 and 316" NWPrailfanZMT 06-09-2012 - 20:41
  Re: "Santa Fe 315 and 316" Hutch 7.62 06-09-2012 - 21:58
  Re: "Santa Fe 315 and 316" Snuffy 06-09-2012 - 22:32
  Re: "Santa Fe 315 and 316" Espee99 06-10-2012 - 07:02
  Re: "Santa Fe 315 and 316" MG42 06-10-2012 - 09:06
  Re: "Santa Fe 315 and 316" OPRRMS 06-10-2012 - 11:38
  Re: "Santa Fe 315 and 316" P. Kepler 06-10-2012 - 12:15
  Re: "Santa Fe 315 and 316" OPRRMS 06-11-2012 - 02:24
  Re: "Santa Fe 315 and 316" MG42 06-10-2012 - 13:12
  Re: "Santa Fe 315 and 316" Hutch 7.62 06-10-2012 - 16:16
  Re: "Santa Fe 315 and 316" Tom Farence 06-10-2012 - 18:57
  Re: "Santa Fe 315 and 316" Craig Tambo 06-10-2012 - 19:35
  Re: "Santa Fe 315 and 316" MG42 06-10-2012 - 22:54
  Re: "Santa Fe 315 and 316" MG42 06-10-2012 - 22:24
  Re: "Santa Fe 315 and 316" Craig Tambo 06-10-2012 - 22:49
  Re: "Santa Fe 315 and 316" MG42 06-10-2012 - 23:01
  49 CFR 229.125 - Headlights and auxiliary lights OPRRMS 06-11-2012 - 02:53
  Re: 49 CFR 229.125 - Headlights and auxiliary lights MG42 06-11-2012 - 03:37
  Re: 49 CFR 229.125 - Headlights and auxiliary lights Dr Zarkoff 06-11-2012 - 17:49
  Re: 49 CFR 229.125 - Headlights and auxiliary lights Hutch 7.62 06-13-2012 - 20:08
  Re: 49 CFR 229.125 - Headlights and auxiliary lights MG42 06-14-2012 - 01:23
  For example . . . OPRRMS 06-14-2012 - 06:50
  Re: For example . . . MG42 06-14-2012 - 19:36


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