When I asked about these lights back in the 1950's the answer I was given
was that it was to aid the engine crew in detecting icicles. And could this
have been useful, yes indeed, if they saw a large low icicle that might
strike their front windshield they would have enough time to get out of the
way. I have seen icicles big enough to cause a lot of damage if a locomotive
hit them. In the ensuing 50 years or so I have not heard anyone else say
otherwise, until a few days ago right here. This is what I was told then and
this is what I believe to be true. If you disagree with me, fine, we can
agree to disagree. I am not going to chance my opinion based on hearsay. And
so far that is all the comments are, hear say. No facts. Yes, UP had two
locomotives with lights as you state but they were short lived and the
circumstances were vastly different.
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 used on other trains?
Doug
With all due respect Doug, the other day you wrote something to the effect
that people have fixed views and won't change them regardless of the facts,
I think this also applies to you. You seem fixed on the roof lights being
for something other than P.R. and or warning lights. Remember, the simplest
explanation of most things is usually the correct one. In this case, the
simplest explanation is that they were warning lights and a P.R. stunt.
After all, American railroads had roof mounted warning lights that shone
upwards into the night sky years before the CPR equipped their passenger F
units with similar lights.
Roger Traviss
Photos of the late GER: -
http://www.highspeedplus.com/~rogertra/
For more photos not in the above album and kitbashes etc..:-
http://s94.photobucket.com/albums/l99/rogertra/Great_Eastern/ ;
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