What you are describing is actually the "ground light", which even goes well back into the steam locomotive era. The "ground light" is mounted ONLY on the right side, directly under the Engineer's cab window (both steam & diesel), and was used by the Engineer at night in order for hime to watch the ground as he starts the train, i.e. watching the slow movement. Virtually ever locomotive EMC/EMD produced had the "ground light", as it was a requirement from back in the steam days. On diesel & electric units, the "ground light" is wired through the switch for the Engineer's gauge lights, thus when the gauge lights are "ON" (the gauge lights have a dimmer knob so that the brightness can be adjusted for night viewing without effecting the Engineer's night vision), obviously at night, the "around light" is also "ON".
So,,,,,,,yes, your FT A unit should have a "ground light" on the right side, directly under the cab window. The "ground light" has nothing to do with "inspections".
