Re: Questions about headlights?

Jim Grigsby Wrote:
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Properly adjusted this will light up the
> track for a considerable distance. At the speed
> most narrow gauge trains run this provides
> sufficient illumination to stop short of an
> obsticle.

The rule for all steam locomotives is as follows:

"Sec. 230.86 Required illumination.

(a) General provisions. Each steam locomotive used between sunset
and sunrise shall be equipped with an operable headlight that provides
illumination sufficient for a steam locomotive engineer in the cab to
see, in a clear atmosphere, a dark object as large as a man of average
size standing at least 800 feet ahead and in front of such headlight."

Traditional steam locomotive headlights easily provide that much light, if properly maintained. 800' is equal to about twenty-six 30' cars, plenty of time for a train traveling 15 MPH to stop.

Compare that with a modern freight train traveling 70 MPH, and the distance they take to stop, they are "overdriving" their headlight much more than a 3' gage steam train.