lensovet wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 3:34 am
also this video makes it blatantly obvious how abrupt the ditch lights are on these locos. is that a regulation or they are just lazy to make LEDs work the way the old incandescent bulbs did?
FRA regulations under discussion:
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/229.125
(d) Auxiliary lights shall be composed as follows:
(1) Two white auxiliary lights shall be placed at the front of the locomotive to form a triangle with the headlight.
(i) The auxiliary lights shall be at least 36 inches above the top of the rail, except on MU locomotives and control cab locomotives where such placement would compromise the integrity of the car body or be otherwise impractical. Auxiliary lights on such MU locomotives and control cab locomotives shall be at least 24 inches above the top of the rail.
(ii) The auxiliary lights shall be spaced at least 36 inches apart if the vertical distance from the headlight to the horizontal axis of the auxiliary lights is 60 inches or more.
(iii) The auxiliary lights shall be spaced at least 60 inches apart if the vertical distance from the headlight to the horizontal axis of the auxiliary lights is less than 60 inches.
(2) Each auxiliary light shall produce a peak intensity of at least 200,000 candela or shall produce at least 3,000 candela at an angle of 7.5 degrees and at least 400 candela at an angle of 20 degrees from the centerline of the locomotive when the light is aimed parallel to the tracks. Any of the following operative lamps meet the standard set forth in this paragraph: an incandescent PAR-56, 200-watt, 30-volt lamp; a halogen PAR-56, 200-watt, 30-volt lamp; a halogen PAR-56, 350-watt, 75-volt lamp; an incandescent PAR-56, 350-watt, 75-volt lamp;
or a single lamp having equivalent intensities at the specified angles.
(3) The auxiliary lights shall be aimed horizontally within 15 degrees of the longitudinal centerline of the locomotive.
(e) Auxiliary lights required by paragraph (d) of this section may be arranged
(1) To burn steadily or
(2) Flash on approach to a crossing.
If the auxiliary lights are arranged to flash;
(i) They shall flash alternately at a rate of at least 40 flashes per minute and at most 180 flashes per minute,
(ii) The railroad's operating rules shall set a standard procedure for use of flashing lights at public highway-rail grade crossings, and
(iii) The flashing feature may be activated automatically, but shall be capable of manual activation and deactivation by the locomotive engineer.
(f) Auxiliary lights required by paragraph (d) of this section shall be continuously illuminated immediately prior to and during movement of the locomotive, except as provided by railroad operating rules, timetable or special instructions, unless such exception is disapproved by FRA.
Did that explain what you wanted to know? To me, it is apparent the FRA did not make a separate set of regulations for the new LEDs lights, I underlined the phrase that allows their use, and that was rather general for encompassing all future lamp technology.