Flashing tail lights?

heart-of-wessex · 18th June 2005, 12:52

I was at Westbury one day in the evening, and there was an ECS 150 on platform 3, engine off and that, and when i looked at the back from the end of the platform, its had its tail lights flashing.
Any reason for having tail lights doing that (flashing like indicators) or were the lights just...broke

Cheers,
James.

Simming · 18th June 2005, 13:16

It Saves on Battery Power, If you had a Unit With the Tail lights left on, it would draw power from the battery, so they put a Tail lamp on. Its Either that or there is some rule about parking trains up. Ive seen 66s With a Tail Lamp flashing in the window, and the Main Reds off.

Its all Very Wierd

AlexS · 18th June 2005, 14:33

Flashing tail lights always used to mean an emergency brake application had been made, I dont know whether the case is the same nowadays.

Coxster · 18th June 2005, 14:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexS

Flashing tail lights always used to mean an emergency brake application had been made, I dont know whether the case is the same nowadays.

I'm not sure about the tail lights but if a Class 66 receives an emergency brake application, the headlights will flash alternately.

jdjonny · 18th June 2005, 17:42

Flashing tail lamps are standard use now - it's very rare to see one that doesn't flash. Unless it doesn't light up at all - in which case it's probably one of EWS's lamps.

Jon

AlexS · 18th June 2005, 17:50

I think he is referring to the Group Standard tail lights on the unit itself, as opposed to the tail lamps commonly used on LHCS and freight trains.

heart-of-wessex · 18th June 2005, 22:46

yes just what I mean Alex, there was no tail lamp, so to save battery they can just 'flash' the tail lights of a 150 or whatever instead?

AlexS · 18th June 2005, 23:21

Flashing them would actually take more energy than leaving them on.

HSTfan!!! · 20th June 2005, 09:17

thats what I would have said! I come from an electrical background and so indeed it would take more power, seems silly

18th June 2005, 12:52	#1
heart-of-wessex a right pacer ned Chief Executive Join Date: 11 Jun 2005 Location: Trowbridge Posts: 1,094	Flashing tail lights? I was at Westbury one day in the evening, and there was an ECS 150 on platform 3, engine off and that, and when i looked at the back from the end of the platform, its had its tail lights flashing. Any reason for having tail lights doing that (flashing like indicators) or were the lights just...broke Cheers, James. __________________ stuff driven: 08 (08 032), 37 (37 674), 47 (47 105) 73 (73 129), 0-4-0 'Lady Nan' Cabbed: 08, 20, 31, 33, 37, 43, 47, 59, 66, 67, 73, 86, 87, 90, 143, 150, 153, 158, 220, 313, 315, 317, 319, 423, 442, 460, 465, DVT

18th June 2005, 14:33	#3
AlexS TOC Owner Join Date: 7 Jun 2005 Location: West Mids Posts: 2,160	Flashing tail lights always used to mean an emergency brake application had been made, I dont know whether the case is the same nowadays. __________________ Wibble and piffle. http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/788/sh1an9.png

18th June 2005, 17:42	#5
jdjonny Gateline Assistant Join Date: 8 Jun 2005 Posts: 81	Flashing tail lamps are standard use now - it's very rare to see one that doesn't flash. Unless it doesn't light up at all - in which case it's probably one of EWS's lamps. Jon __________________ ooooooo

18th June 2005, 17:50	#6
AlexS TOC Owner Join Date: 7 Jun 2005 Location: West Mids Posts: 2,160	I think he is referring to the Group Standard tail lights on the unit itself, as opposed to the tail lamps commonly used on LHCS and freight trains. __________________ Wibble and piffle. http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/788/sh1an9.png

18th June 2005, 22:46	#7
heart-of-wessex a right pacer ned Chief Executive Join Date: 11 Jun 2005 Location: Trowbridge Posts: 1,094	yes just what I mean Alex, there was no tail lamp, so to save battery they can just 'flash' the tail lights of a 150 or whatever instead? __________________ stuff driven: 08 (08 032), 37 (37 674), 47 (47 105) 73 (73 129), 0-4-0 'Lady Nan' Cabbed: 08, 20, 31, 33, 37, 43, 47, 59, 66, 67, 73, 86, 87, 90, 143, 150, 153, 158, 220, 313, 315, 317, 319, 423, 442, 460, 465, DVT

18th June 2005, 13:16	#2
Simming Banned Join Date: 8 Jun 2005 Location: Cornwall Posts: 1,666	It Saves on Battery Power, If you had a Unit With the Tail lights left on, it would draw power from the battery, so they put a Tail lamp on. Its Either that or there is some rule about parking trains up. Ive seen 66s With a Tail Lamp flashing in the window, and the Main Reds off. Its all Very Wierd

18th June 2005, 23:21	#8
AlexS TOC Owner Join Date: 7 Jun 2005 Location: West Mids Posts: 2,160	Flashing them would actually take more energy than leaving them on. __________________ Wibble and piffle. http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/788/sh1an9.png

20th June 2005, 09:17	#9
HSTfan!!! TOC Owner Join Date: 11 Jun 2005 Location: S.Wales Posts: 1,614	thats what I would have said! I come from an electrical background and so indeed it would take more power, seems silly