[PRR-talk] Markers and classification lights

[Peter Weiglin]

Jerry Schoenberg asked:


I am looking for some expertise on Marker/Clasification Lights. I can't seem to find a 
good source to reduce my confusion.  I am building a 1.5" scale NW2 #9175. This Loco had 
front and rear "tombstone" Markers. I was able to purchase some drawings of this Marker 
thru the Society. They were used on the front of several steam locomotives - mainly J1's.


1. Do Markers and Classification lights serve the same function?

No.  Marker lights appear at the rear end of a train, indicating that it IS the end of the 
train.  A train is not a train without markers.  If a train runs in sections, only the 
last section carries markers.

Markers show red to the rear and yellow or green to the side (depending on the railroad 
rules in effect).


2. Why would you need Markers on the front of a locomotive as opposed to rear
markers on a train?

There are no markers on the front of a train.  There may be classification indicators, 
either flags or lights.  Classification colors are: white, indicating that this is an 
extra train, not on the timetable.  Green denotes a section following this set of 
locomotive and cars.  If it's a regularly scheduled train in one section, there are no 
classification signals.

Where classification lights are used, the norm is no light.  White lights denote and extra 
train, green lights denote a section following.  The classification light must be capable 
of showing either of two colors; green or white.

Note that if a train has more than one section, all but the last section carry green 
lights on the front; and only the last section carries markers (the red ones on the rear).

A locomotive running alone, without cars, outside of yard limits, could be considered a 
train under the rules, and could display a classification color at the front, and red 
markers to the rear.

Peter Weiglin
Amelia, OH