Agree generally, but-- E and F units had three beam lights all in that upper nose housing? GP's, etc all had the red light in a separate housing, IIRC. Then there is Santa Fe whose lights turned in a circle rather than lay out that famous lazy-8 pattern. DJE
----- Original Message ----- From: ctxmf74 To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, June 08, 2012 4:03 PM Subject: {S-Scale List} Re: [RI_models] Dual beam headlights and red/white gyralights --- In [email protected], "David Engle" <rirocket@...> wrote: > Prototype question: Didn't SP and IC have cab units with one red and two white lights gyrating? wonder what that mechanism was like. > Yeah , the signature SP light package in the 50's was the stock twin sealed beam fixed lights with a double white gyra light above that and then a single red warning light on top. I've seen the insides of the gyra lights, it's been a long time but IIRC the lights were mounted in a swiveling frame activated by a motor and crank sorta like a windshield wiper motor. Fond memories of watching SP freights climb Tehachapi at night with the gyra lights dancing on the hillsides as the train twisted thru the curves. For some reason near the end SP started removing the gyra lights and just left the bare light brackets in many cases. I guess the newer ditch lights were less trouble to maintain but they didn't have the same visibility or impact of the gyra lights....DaveBranum
