ATSF marker

Interesting question. Most of the long distance passenger trains that the Sante Fe ran had an observation car. When they went to the Hi-Level cars, the step down coach had red markers on either side of the end of the car with a drumhead. On shorter runs, form the picture you are showing, it appears they used a singe red marker on the last car.

If it were me installing end markers, I would use the two red light approach.

People from the ATSF Historical and Modeling Society have related that they remember a day when, for example, The Fast Mail had 2 caboose markers displayed.  And you are correct that many trains had observation cars with built in markers.

After watching some video on youtube.com of old ATSF film footage (probably Super8), there are examples of the big red marker on the safety gate.  That is the marker I want to model.

P.S.  I apologize for the fuzzy photo.  It is difficult to tell, but that is The Chief departing LAUPT.  These markers in question were used on the "big name" varnish.

Rob:

The photo was more than adequate to get the "picture". 

Most of the long distance passenger trains that the Sante Fe ran had an observation car.

Around 1957, Santa Fe dropped the use of traditional observation cars and converted nearly all of them into square-ended cars for mid train use. 

Rob's picture would be correct for the late 50's on.  I can barely read it, but I think it is identified as the Chief in 1962.

Santa Fe was always big on red signal lights found on engines both steam and diesel.  Sometimes they were paired as mars/red signal lights.

I'm thinking of taking an Atlas SF FM Erie Built and changing the upper light to resemble the engine as delivered.  It's hard to tell but the upper light in this picture is red.  I was thinking I'll have to use something like red bulb die for the lens.  I assume there is something like that still available.    

Rob - If you come up with a solution, please post it.  The light you want to model was used on secondary trains and I'm interested in modeling something like that.  

Maybe something from model car parts might work, i don't know what's out there.

Wonderful information, Howard. As a big Sante Fe fan, it is nice to read this part of their history.

I believe that the marker light in question is a 32-volt portable MARS light. Several railroads used these to protect the rear end of passenger trains, especially when the rear car was not an observation or other type of car having such a light (MARS or Pyle GyraLight) built in. Some were intended to be illuminated when the train was stopped, by sensing brake line pressure or lower voltage from the wheel generators. It was not unusual to see them continuously illuminated, however, especially on GN.

I have seen examples of such lights on GN, NP, SP&S, UP and CB&Q passenger trains; I'm sure there are many others...

Here's a pic, you can clearly see the black cords for plugging in the red mars light and drum head attached to the retractable safety gate, hope this helps with your modeling.

Joe

Keil Line makes/made a safety gate with a red light like you are looking for. I bought one on eBay several years ago. It was only the second one that I've seen on the site. I am out of town so I can't post a photo or tell you what the item is called. I will post a photo when  I have a chance. 

I like your photo, jvega2.

Since I cannot come up with a tech drawing of this device, I am guessing that the diameter is about 10".

I want to see if the people who make drumheads for us can come up with a model of this.

I just checked Walthers' listings of Keil Line parts.  Didn't find a single package as you suggested, but I don't have a paper copy (more complete listings) of Keil Line's catalog handy at the moment...it's at the store (LHS).

But they have two items that might suffice:

382-4829, Mars tail light with flasher   $23.95  Currently in stock  (This may not be appropriate, since I believe a "Mars" light is a different animal from the small light in Joe's photo.)

382-48226, Tailgate for passenger car with Diamond bars  $5.95  Currently out-of-stock, but restock "in transit".

Tomar, the drumhead folks, makes a "Taillight kit...red, 1.5v", item 81-813 (Walthers sku), but I have no idea whether it's relevant to this application.  If you sent the Tomar folks a copy of the picture Joe has posted, they might be able to confirm or redirect.

No pictures/photos to link.

FWIW, always....

KD 

Owl Mountain Models #10002 Tailgate Kit with GyraLight is an HO model but might be a good reference point for someone trying to do the same thing in O scale. (A simple and useful 3D printer project, perhaps?)

KD,

I believe the correct item number is 382-4829.  The price of $23.95 leads be to think that it includes lighting capabilities.

ChipR

Yep, you're right!  I just changed it above.  When I got into the store this AM I looked at the list and discovered the error.  The catalog description has no photo/drawing, and the line description only adds "kit" to info.  Keil sells a variety of lighting/bulb items, so I'm quite sure it would be for a functional light.  Still do not see a complete gate/light package, tho....just the individual items.

Thx.

KD

Found some more excellent photography by Bob Phillips on www.rr-fallenflags.com for this subject.  I am very close to having a solution for this, but little time to implement it.