Class lights

[Stu_pidface]

Can someone explain how to properly use class lights? (Those little turnable red/green/withe lights on the locomotives)
I know they have some purpose irl but do they actually do something in game?

[[NcK]MasterShake|CM]

I don't think they "do anything" aside from how you prefer to operate your railroad. Don't quote me on this, but I believe their usage varied depending upon the railroad.

[muertofroggo]

According to Wikipedia [en.wikipedia.org]:

Traditionally, classification lights existed in three colors: white lights indicated an "extra" train (a train that is not scheduled but added due to demand), green lights were displayed on a regularly scheduled train that was being followed by additional sections (extra train(s)), and red lights indicated the rear of a train.

So basically, no front lights for a regular, scheduled train, white lights for an extra, off-schedule train, and green lights for a scheduled train being followed by an unscheduled train; and red at the back.

[Stu_pidface]

Originally posted by muertofroggo:

According to Wikipedia [en.wikipedia.org]:

Traditionally, classification lights existed in three colors: white lights indicated an "extra" train (a train that is not scheduled but added due to demand), green lights were displayed on a regularly scheduled train that was being followed by additional sections (extra train(s)), and red lights indicated the rear of a train.

So basically, no front lights for a regular, scheduled train, white lights for an extra, off-schedule train, and green lights for a scheduled train being followed by an unscheduled train; and red at the back.

That makes sense. But it’s still not clear how to set the lights at the rear. For example, you can make it so that red looks back and green looks to the side. Or the opposite way.

[muertofroggo]

Originally posted by Stu_pidface:

That makes sense. But it’s still not clear how to set the lights at the rear. For example, you can make it so that red looks back and green looks to the side. Or the opposite way.

I'm honestly not sure, but I'd say the side ones don't really matter, since by construction, you have one light bulb and several colored lenses. More modern stock use forward-facing lights, and none to the sides, so I'm assuming the side ones can be ignored. Or maybe they're supposed to mirror the lights at the front? Someone that knows more about American railroads than me can probably weigh in on this

[coenvijge]

Originally posted by Stu_pidface:

........... But it’s still not clear how to set the lights at the rear.

The lights at the rear of a train have nothing to do with the class lights on the front of the train.

The rear marker lights at the end of a train have to show (pointing to the back) red lights to indicate that that wagon is the end of train. At the same time it indicates the direction of the train. The train is either standing still or moving in the forward direction (away from an observer of the red light).

In case of using a siding it was also used to show (after the train was secured in the siding) one green light (at the side of the now 'free' main line) and one red light (at the other side). Showing those lights gives an indication for following trains that the previous train has entered the siding and can be passed on the main line. In the game showing two different lights is not possible. (At the moment; maybe later ...(?)).

In addition you can also use (both) green lights to indicate that the train is moving backwards ('the end has become the front'; towards the observer) in case you don't have one or more white lights at your disposal. (I.e. if a freight train that is making a backward movement for a short part of it's trip).

Showing (conferming) the end of a train was (is imo) important to confirm to a signal man or other railroaders that a train has passed completely and hasn't lost some wagons on it's way. In modern railroading there are other ways to be aware of a broken train, but imo an 'end of train signal is still very important. On many railroads they are still used.

[Stu_pidface]

Originally posted by coenvijge:

Originally posted by Stu_pidface:

........... But it’s still not clear how to set the lights at the rear.

The lights at the rear of a train have nothing to do with the class lights on the front of the train.

The rear marker lights at the end of a train have to show (pointing to the back) red lights to indicate that that wagon is the end of train. At the same time it indicates the direction of the train. The train is either standing still or moving in the forward direction (away from an observer of the red light).

In case of using a siding it was also used to show (after the train was secured in the siding) one green light (at the side of the now 'free' main line) and one red light (at the other side). Showing those lights gives an indication for following trains that the previous train has entered the siding and can be passed on the main line. In the game showing two different lights is not possible. (At the moment; maybe later ...(?)).

In addition you can also use (both) green lights to indicate that the train is moving backwards ('the end has become the front'; towards the observer) in case you don't have one or more white lights at your disposal. (I.e. if a freight train that is making a backward movement for a short part of it's trip).

Showing (conferming) the end of a train was (is imo) important to confirm to a signal man or other railroaders that a train has passed completely and hasn't lost some wagons on it's way. In modern railroading there are other ways to be aware of a broken train, but imo an 'end of train signal is still very important. On many railroads they are still used.
:loco:

Wow! Thanks a lot for clearing this out.

[cmdzerosixtwo]

The front globe lights on the locomotive are classification lights, they indicate what kind train you are running. Unlit means its a scheduled train on the timetable, white means its an unscheduled extra and green is a train that's traveling in sections, for example on holidays or for special events when passenger volume was higher railroads would add additional trains rather than make the train longer but they ran the same timetable as the scheduled train and would follow behind it at distance. The lead train and additional sections would run with their classification lights lit green until the last section which ran with the classification lights unlit indicating it was the last section. The lights at the rear of the tender are marker lights, they are lit red when running light engine or shoving cars ahead of the locomotive. They are lit green when stopped/moving on a siding light engine, technically if they are stopped/moving against traffic they should light one green and one red but the game doesn't allow independent movement right now. They are not lit when pulling a train as the caboose would be the end and have its markers lit.

[IronMikeTyson94]

i have a Pennsylvania Railroad System book of rules and it has a whole section dedicated to what your looking for lol. im gonna see if i can fin it online or try to get clear pics of the manual. do you follow the Railroader Discord by chance?

[kildar501]

Lights were usually used at night. During the day, you'd see flags on the locomotive instead. My dad was able to grab a set of both green and white flags when he worked at the N&W back in the day. Got them in a closet somewhere with my Wabash steam whistle.....