Whats the prpper name of the red lights at the rear of a train, subway?

Question

Red lights at rear of train

Answer 1

Last I called them were the red lights on the back of the subway train.

Coach

Answer 2

Don't know about now, but back in the dark ages when I was a kid they were called 'Mars lights.' Why I don't know.

Answer 3

cpl_dvldo got it.... the eot has one other option...the engineer can  initiate an emergency brake application by flipping a toggle switch in the cab of the lead locomotive.. this applys the brakes from the rear of the train ..which helps to keep all the slack from running in and derailing the train...most long freight trains have well over 100 feet of slack in them...

Answer 4

I would call it a safety light, it is just a safety light so that other trains don't run into them

Answer 5

Well, the built in red lights are simply markers - by the rules, a red marker is to be displayed to the rear of a train. Running lights are displayed up front.

An EOT is a seperate device, also known as a FRED (Flashing Rear End Device).

Not the same item, but the same purpose - a flashing red indication of the rear of the train. Markers on a subway are just that - markers. The FRED monitors brake line pressure, etc., and can initiate an emergency stop.

Someone else mentioned a mars light - not even close to what we're talking about here. The mars light was on the front of a locomotive - it was an oscillating headlight.

Answer 6

The gentleman above is correct.

A marker is required to be displayed at the end of a train.  In fact, a train is not a train without one, merely an engine with a string of cars.

A "train" is defined by the General Code of Operating Rules as:

"One or more engines coupled, with or without cars, displaying a marker, and authorized to operate on a main track.  A term that when used in connection with speed restrictions, flag protection, and the observance of all signals and signal rules also applies to engines."

No marker, no train.  Though markers are electrically illuminated, in daylight hours a red flag can also serve as a marker in the event of marker failure.

Cabooses used to be equipped with both red and green lights to the rear.  In "dark" territory (no automatic block signals to govern movement of trains and engines), when a train had cleared the main track into a siding to let another train pass, the conductor would display the green marker, indicating to the approaching train that the main was clear.  The rail jargon for this was "turning the jewels".

The Mars light got it's name from the company that manufactured them.  It was an oscillating red light at the front of the train that was activated automatically when the train lost its air in the brake pipe, or could be operated manually.  Its purpose was to warn an approaching train, usually on an adjacent track, that the train had stopped with an unknown cause of an emergency brake application and that the adjacent track may be fouled with derailed equipment.

Running lights, called "signals", were indeed displayed on the leading locomotive.  A train displaying "no" signals indicted it was a regular train, getting its authority to operate from a timetable schedule.  When "green" signals were displayed it indicated that there were following sections of a regular train.  When "white" signals were displayed it indicated an "extra", which is simply any train not operating under timetable authority.

Answer 7

On a freight it is called an EOT device. End of Train. It monitors the air pressure, for the brakes, all the way to the rear of the train.

Answer 8

The red lights you are referring to are called "Running Lights" they should be illuminated anytime the rail car is in service and allow the rail crew to distinguish between a approaching train and departing train in low weather or dusk/night conditions.  They are a safety and convenience feature much like the red running lights on the back of your car.