Red lights at front

[O L Leigh]

Two switches for a 170, one does headlights & markers (4 positions - off/day/markers/night), the other does tail (off/on/off/on)

Yup. And if you have both switches set to an "on" position you will get tail lights plus the roof level marker light illuminated. Turning the tail lights on will automatically kill the headlights and lower marker lights.

 

[seagull]

Going off on a slight tangent, am I correct in thinking that shunting locomotives display red and white at each end while they move back and forth, (in part) to save the driver changing the lights every time they reverse?

Indeed to quote the Rule Book:
" 14.3 Lights on shunting locomotives
You must make sure there is at least one red and one white light displayed at each end of a shunting locomotive (where these are fitted) when it is being used for shunting purposes. "

But the reason I am sure is to do with safety than convenience.

 

[HSP 2]

Going off on a slight tangent, am I correct in thinking that shunting locomotives display red and white at each end while they move back and forth, (in part) to save the driver changing the lights every time they reverse?

You are correct but it was a good number of year back. IIRC the white light was on the near side, so front left and rear right.
But it was normally only within station or shunting limits.

 

[skyhigh]

You'd have thought so, but 397s and presumably other CAF units require the driver to select the correct running lights.

195s and 331s are the same.

 

[norbitonflyer]

I seem to recall reading that the Class 487s on the Waterloo & City Line had red lights permanently at the Bank end, and white at the Waterloo end, regardless of which direction they were going

 

[Royston Vasey]

I seem to recall reading that the Class 487s on the Waterloo & City Line had red lights permanently at the Bank end, and white at the Waterloo end, regardless of which direction they were going

I don't think this is true... red both ends!

 

[Juniper Driver]

I don't think this is true... red both ends!

Yes reds both ends.....One of the reds was powered by the third rail power and the other side was powered by the battery....but for the life of me I can't remember which side was which...

It would seem sensible to me that the red on the drivers side would be battery powered...

 

[supervc-10]

Why would one side be battery powered and the other 3rd rail? Or am I missing something?

 

[MotCO]

Why would one side be battery powered and the other 3rd rail? Or am I missing something?

In case of loss of power to the third rail?

 

[20atthemagnet]

Yes reds both ends.....One of the reds was powered by the third rail power and the other side was powered by the battery....but for the life of me I can't remember which side was which...

It would seem sensible to me that the red on the drivers side would be battery powered...

Similar on some very modern stock. On units I drive when the unit is auxed off/pantograph down one tail light will illuminate for an undisclosed period drawing from the battery.