The argument was the gyrolights were to make the train more visible. If that
was the case then why did they not use the gyrolights on all trains. The
fact remains they didn't, they only equipped the 34 FP's with this equipment
so the only trains that had the gyrolights were those trains that had an FP
leading. For the most part a significant number of the FP's were working
the Canadian at any given time, and many of the others would be on the
Dominion, leaving relatively few of them for assignments on other trains.
The only additional lights that were ever applied system wide were the ditch
lights. They had been adopted by CN earlier (it was CN who started using
ditch lights back in the 1920's or thereabouts), and eventually they were
also mandated in the U.S. as well. As Joe Smuin said earlier, ditch lights
did make a huge difference.
The icicle problem only existed in certain parts of the country, the
mountains of B.C. being one of the better examples. But, and this point has
been made several times before, they did not have dome cars until 1955 and
they only ran on certain routes.
These points have all been made before, so why is there a need to keep
repeating them over and over again?
Doug
At 13:27 11/29/2010, you wrote:
...snipped..used on other trains?
It is your opinion that they are warning lights and a p.r. stunt. You
say this is likely correct as it is the simplest explanation. Is it?
That is not what I was told, and I was given that explanation by
railroaders, engine service employees of the CPR. And again I make the
case and ask the question that if they were warning light why were they not
Doug
