Spreewald - Prototypical Directional Lighting (Question)

[curtis]

All,

I'm currently in the process of digitising a Spreewald locomotive I recently aquire.

The loco has 3 lights on the front and 3 lights on the reason (examples) below. I have a question on how lights are used on the prototype Spreewald/in the real world. Is the top one the normal running light and the bottom two are the high beam equivalent or am I over thinking this and they're all on together?

The decoder I have let's me do lights/directionally forward and backward. However, I also have an additional 8 outputs so have the flexibility to set this up in a more prototypical way.

Curtis

 

[Paul M]

All,

I'm currently in the process of digitising a Spreewald locomotive I recently aquire.

The loco has 3 lights on the front and 3 lights on the reason (examples) below. I have a question on how lights are used on the prototype Spreewald/in the real world. Is the top one the normal running light and the bottom two are the high beam equivalent or am I over thinking this and they're all on together?

The decoder I have let's me do lights/directionally forward and backward. However, I also have an additional 8 outputs so have the flexibility to set this up in a more prototypical way.

Curtis

I Britain, the lights are lit in pattern to show what type of train is being pulled, ie goods, passenger, express etc. Whether that applies in this case I'm not sure

 

[PhilP]

Curtis,
I think it would depend on the line and country the prototype was running in?

But it is your loc (and line) so you can choose.

PhilP

 

[dunnyrail]

As Spreewald is a German Loco, German practice is to have all 3 alight in the direction of travel. You can see that on the loco below going bunker first.

 

[65 1057]

As Spreewald is a German Loco, German practice is to have all 3 alight in the direction of travel. You can see that on the loco below going bunker first.

JonD: Absolutely right, and well observed!

According to the rules:

Signal Zg1 (Spitzensignal) - the leading loco/wagon of a train has always to show 3 white lamps in form of an "A" (in order to differentiate from cars w/ 2 lamps only).

An exception on the Deutsche Reichsbahn network still today:

Signal Fz1 (Rangiersignal) - just 1 bottom lamp (usually in driving direction bottom right) - applies ONLY for switching / shunting locos - NOT for trains

Although the Zg1 became mandatory in the 1950's, the Berlin S-Bahn still had many old trains running with 2 lamps only - see here in 1986:

19860929b Humboldthain - DR-Baureihe ET 165 – Wikipedia

 

[curtis]

As always, I'm impressed with the depth of knowledge and helpfulness!

Paul - I never knew that about British running! Thank you

I didn't have a particular prototype in mind. I was mostly starting the conversation as I wired up the loco. For now, I'll start with 3 forward/ 3 rear in the direction of travel. John also messaged me separately and mentioned that when running backwards without a train they run with a red lamp which I made try my hand at adding in the future

Side note, until last year - I live 2minutes walk from where that last picture was taken (Humboldthain)

 

[tac foley]

JonD: Absolutely right, and well observed!

According to the rules:

Signal Zg1 (Spitzensignal) - the leading loco/wagon of a train has always to show 3 white lamps in form of an "A" (in order to differentiate from cars w/ 2 lamps only).

An exception on the Deutsche Reichsbahn network still today:

Signal Fz1 (Rangiersignal) - just 1 bottom lamp (usually in driving direction bottom right) - applies ONLY for switching / shunting locos - NOT for trains

Although the Zg1 became mandatory in the 1950's, the Berlin S-Bahn still had many old trains running with 2 lamps only - see here in 1986:

19860929b Humboldthain - DR-Baureihe ET 165 – Wikipedia

Rangiersignal = shunting/switching indication.

 

[Bynggi]

Please keeps us posted on your progess digitizing this little loc. I am new to this and need all the help I can get.