Another manufacturer of these lights was Pyle, but Pyle's light moved in a sweeping circle only. The 4th edition (April, 2000) of the General Code of Operating Rules requires that any oscillating white light on the lead locomotive be on when the engine was moving, but is to be turned off when meeting trains, passing trains, or during switching operations (except for grade crossings). Running an engine equipped with an oscillating light but not using it, especially over a grade crossing, is a serious rules violation. The last Mars light which I used had a cycle of two horizontal figure 8's, two lower half-circle passes, two horizontal figure 8's, and two upper half-circle passes. Having operated engines equipped with ditch lights and oscillating lights, I believe that the oscillating light is a better attention-grabber than the ditch light. The oscillating light can be seen a greater distance away from the crossing than can ditch lights. Ken Bush The Erie Lackawanna Mailing List http://EL-List.railfan.net/ To Unsubscribe: http://Lists.Railfan.net/erielackunsub.html ------------------------------
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