[PRR-talk] Marker/Classification Lights

[Steve Hoxie]

Hi Jerry--As in many things, timing is everything.  Using TKM for May 2004 as the source, Pennsy did away with classification lights on the front of trains in 1939.  Evidently, the PRR had decided that tower operators and other trackside observers did not need to visually determine that a train was a second section following or was an "extra".  After that there was only the requirement to show red lights, markers, at the rear of a train at night.  Also, there was a requirement for trains to show yellow to the rear when operating in Manual Block System territory when the train was clear of the main track.  Engines often operated light or at the rear of trains at night, requiring markers at both ends for operation in either direction.  An engine operating light in reverse at night was considered to be a train and required lit red markers on its front end. Thus the requirement for the tombstone style of markers with the ability to light either yellow or red.  Since your 9175 was built subsequent to 1939, classification lights were never an issue;  it was only required to have markers.

Now for some info I am pretty sure of, but can't readily put my hand on a source.  Sometime around 1948 the requirement for yellow lights to the rear of a train cited above was eliminated.  Thus the diesels being delivered only show a single round lens; for example: the round lens at the front of the number board on F3's and FA1's.  At this time the round, single lens, "bullseye" style of marker began to be seen on steam engines.  Both diesel and steam markers would only light "red" or "off".  Engines previously equipped with the tombstone style may or may not have been re-equipped with the bullseye type. 

I think all of that addresses questions 1,2, and 3.  Question #4:  Logically, 9175 must have had some assignment that required use of these marker lights.  They certainly appear in photos of this engine.

Question #5:  It all depends on the era of the model.  If it is meant to model an engine prior to 1939, green or white classification lights might be appropriate;  red or yellow markers would be appropriate until about 1948, after that only red markers.  But....for the situation prior to 1939, classification lights would only be lit, as necessary, at night when the engine was going forward at the front of a train;  markers on the engine front would not be lit at the same time.  Classification lights indicated the class of a train;  lit markers marked the rear of a train.

For emphasis:  no PRR classification lights after 1939.

Corrections gladly encouraged!!

Steve Hoxie
Pensacola FL

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: ARRJERRY at aol.com 
  To: PRR-Talk at dsop.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 10:50 AM
  Subject: [PRR-talk] Marker/Classification Lights


  Happy New Year,
  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?
  2. Why would you need Markers on the front of a locomotive as opposed to rear markers on a train?
  3. The elliptical lens seems to hold two (upper and lower) bulbs. Why?
  4. Is it logical to assume that this one of a kind NW2 received these "markers" as classification lights?
  5. I have seen factory painted PRR brass with red, green, and white classification (marker?)  lights. Can someone clear up the color rules for me?
  Thank you for any info you can provide,
  Jerry Schoenberg


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