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Post by edgecrusher on Nov 24, 2015 16:19:49 GMT -8
Some of the Rocks U-25s had auxiliary lights up on the edges of the cab roof. Does anyone know what they were used for or how they functioned?
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Post by onequiknova on Nov 24, 2015 16:34:11 GMT -8
I've read they alternated. An early form of grade crossing safety I'd guess. I've only seen one or two pictures where they were actually lit. Sunrise Enterprise used to make a detail part of them.
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Post by theengineshed on Nov 24, 2015 17:55:26 GMT -8
Yes early ditch lights...
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Post by edgecrusher on Nov 25, 2015 6:52:07 GMT -8
Thanks guys, that's kinda what I was thinking. I have some of the Sunrise castings that I wanted to use. Now I just have to core them for bulbs.....
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Post by bnsf971 on Nov 25, 2015 7:15:55 GMT -8
I've read they alternated. An early form of grade crossing safety I'd guess. I've only seen one or two pictures where they were actually lit. Sunrise Enterprise used to make a detail part of them. Rock seems to have been pretty innovative, even (or maybe because of) a lack of money. One of the things attributed to someone with that railroad was bestowing the "U Boat" nickname to those early GEs.
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Post by mlehman on Nov 25, 2015 7:26:53 GMT -8
Rock seems to have been pretty innovative, even (or maybe because of) a lack of money. One of the things attributed to someone with that railroad was bestowing the "U Boat" nickname to those early GEs. If you're on a sinking ship, at least you can point and say, "The U-boats did us in..."
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Post by rockisland652 on Nov 25, 2015 10:22:43 GMT -8
Rock seems to have been pretty innovative, even (or maybe because of) a lack of money. One of the things attributed to someone with that railroad was bestowing the "U Boat" nickname to those early GEs. If you're on a sinking ship, at least you can point and say, "The U-boats did us in..." GROAN
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Post by mlehman on Nov 25, 2015 17:35:03 GMT -8
Tom, Thanks for bearing with me Since the Rock Island was one of the Rio Grande's eastern connections, I'm a bit of a closet Rock Island fan. I'll try really hard for better RI jokes...
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routerock
Junior Member
Rock Island in 1977
Posts: 94
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Post by routerock on Nov 26, 2015 3:58:47 GMT -8
then of course you can't forget two flashing blue warning strobe lights that were mounted on the roof of the cab. while. I think they did two engines before someone figured out that it was not a good idea.
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Post by bnsf971 on Nov 26, 2015 15:21:50 GMT -8
then of course you can't forget two flashing blue warning strobe lights that were mounted on the roof of the cab. while. I think they did two engines before someone figured out that it was not a good idea. "Rock. The Kmart of railroads"...
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bcrn
Full Member
Posts: 133
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Post by bcrn on Nov 28, 2015 21:31:42 GMT -8
saw one of the gp38-2's with those on the indianola branch,,, state of iowa pointed out to them that blue lights were the domain of the volunteer firemen's vehicles only, the end.
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routerock
Junior Member
Rock Island in 1977
Posts: 94
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Post by routerock on Nov 29, 2015 9:57:13 GMT -8
Blue is also used for warning that maintenances crew are onboard.
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Post by onequiknova on Nov 29, 2015 10:18:53 GMT -8
Do any pictures exist of these blue strobes? First I've heard of them.
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routerock
Junior Member
Rock Island in 1977
Posts: 94
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Post by routerock on Nov 29, 2015 10:42:49 GMT -8
their floating around, The first time that I ever seen a photo of one was at a RITS covn. I know of a GP38 that had them and I don't remember what else had them.
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Post by onequiknova on Nov 29, 2015 10:48:20 GMT -8
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Post by Great-Northern-Willmar Div on Nov 29, 2015 13:47:04 GMT -8
I'd like to see someone light and model those! That GP38-2 isn't that old in the photo and its already got black exhaust seeping out from the tops of the engine room doors and oil spilling out at the bottom of the doors. At one time the Rock Island was known as "A mighty fine line".
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Post by bnsf971 on Nov 29, 2015 14:36:41 GMT -8
That GP38-2 isn't that old in the photo and its already got black exhaust seeping out from the tops of the engine room doors and oil spilling out at the bottom of the doors. At one time the Rock Island was known as "A mighty fine line". Can you say "deferred maintenance?"
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bcrn
Full Member
Posts: 133
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Post by bcrn on Nov 29, 2015 15:32:06 GMT -8
yes, routerock, thats true,, on railroad property. at that time, the volunteer fire depts were crazy jealous over the issue, and i believe both units were based in des moines ia, hence the quick beatdown on the issue. i dont think the idea lasted a month. the other unit involved , i think was an sw switcher of some type. shortly after this amtrak started putting the blue-white strobes on the roofs of their power.
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Post by Spikre on Nov 30, 2015 15:07:13 GMT -8
why would Rock Island need Ditch Lites ? originally Ditch Lites were used in the mountains of western Canada,Rocky and Selkirky. since boulders had a habit of landing on tracks, the lites were meant to see them and stop trains before they hit them. Rock Island seemed to have a bad Grade Crossing wreck problem, the Cab Top warning lites were meant to be seen further away so Gas and Oil Tankers,even Manure Trailers would stop for any train coming. if it helped isn't known,but maybe Rock Island just couldn't afford to refit all its locos ? but Rock gets an A+ for trying !! today the Lites are mainly used for Grade Crossings in the lower 48 states,maybe Mexico also. Spikre
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Post by nightmare0331 on Dec 1, 2015 13:57:13 GMT -8
I'd like to see someone light and model those! That GP38-2 isn't that old in the photo and its already got black exhaust seeping out from the tops of the engine room doors and oil spilling out at the bottom of the doors. At one time the Rock Island was known as "A mighty fine line". looking at that, it wouldn't be terribly hard to model that with some small SMLED's and magnet wire. I have a junk genesis GP38-2 in Rock Island sitting somewhere...hmm. Enjoy! Kelley. www.dufordmodelworks.com
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2015 17:23:58 GMT -8
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Post by rockisland652 on Dec 2, 2015 20:52:37 GMT -8
I think these girls look good when they have something to do...
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Post by emd16645 on Dec 3, 2015 6:24:56 GMT -8
I think these girls look good when they have something to do... They look even better in gold.
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Post by nightmare0331 on Dec 3, 2015 9:01:54 GMT -8
I think these girls look good when they have something to do... That's just sexy looking. Enjoy! Kelley. www.dufordmodelworks.com
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Post by bnsf971 on Dec 3, 2015 9:35:15 GMT -8
I think these girls look good when they have something to do... Unfortunately, that isn't prototypical at all-- the train is completely on the rails...
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Post by rockisland652 on Dec 3, 2015 10:13:00 GMT -8
Even the Rock Island kept 'em greasy side down more often than not.
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Post by onequiknova on Dec 3, 2015 12:18:45 GMT -8
The low angle really shows off the wavyness of the track. Intentional or not, it just looks right for the time period.
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Post by atsfan on Dec 3, 2015 13:16:16 GMT -8
The units definitely sit high off of the trucks and track. Just saying.
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Post by rockisland652 on Dec 3, 2015 13:22:34 GMT -8
The low angle really shows off the wavyness of the track. Intentional or not, it just looks right for the time period. It doesn't start off that way. With the lack of glue ballast to hold it, the track is partly free to move and with the natural expansion and contraction of the layout materials, it slowly starts to look all 1970s.
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Post by rockisland652 on Dec 3, 2015 13:33:56 GMT -8
The units definitely sit high off of the trucks and track. Just saying. Hahaha Nope. Not bad enough for me to give them the Big Al saw. Not yet anyway.
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