Why do the trains have the tail lamps?

Question

Like cars and other four wheelers why does the train have the tail lamps?

Answer 1

when trains get to the other end they come back, hence the tail lights become the head lights

Answer 2

A tail lamp is an indication that the train is complete and hasn't lost part of its consist due to a coupling breaking, etc.

On lines controlled by semaphore signals this is a useful indication to the signaller that the section of line the train has just passed over is now clear.

Tail lamps are also necessary to provide protection to the rear of the train when, for example, it fails and requires assistance from the rear in the dark. The assisting train or loco would be allowed to pass the signal protecting the failed train and creep towards it. The tail lamp shows the driver of the assisting train exactly where the failed train is.

Answer 3

It is called an " ETD" end of train device or some people call them a "FRED" F ing rear end device.....this device shows the pressure of the trainline usually 90 lbs and transmits the rear end pressure to the head end and is also capable of actuating an emergency brake application from remote on the rear end....It also has a flashing red light as a marker for other trains at night....

Answer 4

So you can see it in the far off distance after you have missed it.

Answer 5

Same as your car, to avoid collisions. If one train is following close behind another train, or pulling into a track behind a standing train, it is nice to know where the end of the train ahead is.

On passenger trains it is normally tail lights similar to your automobile and in freight service it is usually a blinking light.

Rail cars are often quite dirty and without a marker light, are very difficult to see at night or in bad weather.

It is just one more layer of safety.

Answer 6

So that you can stand on the platform and wave goodbye till you see the tail lights disappear?

Answer 7

safety so you know the end of the consist

Answer 8

It is so the signalmen know that the train is 'complete'- ie half a dozen wagons haven't come loose and stopped somewhere along the line.  

If it didn't have these lamps, the danger would be that the train could break in two, no one would notice, another train would be sent down the same line and... well, you can imagine the consequences.