RULE 17 AND NUMBER BOARDS

Well, I looked at a few MU videos, and I see a mix of number boards on and off on the trailing units.  I guess there may be a "standard", but it sure isn't adhered to be CSX or NS 100% of the time.

Think I'll just leave them permanently on as an additional indication that the locomotive is sitting on powered track.  Also dimmed headlight but MARS off when stopped.          Thanks.         j

This might be discussed as a throwback to train order days when multiple locomotives would be addressed to the leading locomotive regardless of how many locomotives steam or diesel were at head end of a train. Therefore number boards needed to be lit on first engine only so trains in siding or passing would know whatever train it was by engine number if they also had a copy of the train order. Nowadays a rear headlight is required to be lit because many diesel locomotives have no number boards to lightup just a painted on road number. I personally like the old way. Walter

@Walter Matuch posted:

This might be discussed as a throwback to train order days . . .  Therefore number boards needed to be lit on first engine only so trains in siding or passing would know whatever train it was by engine number if they also had a copy of the train order.

You're on the right track, Walter.  This is all about having authority to occupy the main track in a specified direction between specified station or milepost locations.  This prevents collisions and delays and allows running at high speeds.

In Timetable and Train Order operation (now superseded by Track Warrant Control) Regular Trains were listed in the employee timetable by Train Number and had a schedule that authorized them to use the main track.  All other train movements were authorized as Extras, identified by engine number and direction (i.e., Extra 226 East).  Train Orders could be issued to require any train to meet or be passed, and to delay departure at a station for various reasons.  The identifying engine number was usually the leading diesel unit, but not always.  

Sometimes an Extra would pick up one or more diesel units en route, ahead of the identifying numbered unit.  In that case, the leading unit would display white flags or lights and dark number boards and the number boards of the identifying locomotive (by now a trailing unit) would be lighted.

If the identifying numbered unit was set out en route, the Train Dispatcher would have to issue new train orders to that train and all other trains holding Train Orders requiring them to meet or to wait at a location until arrival of that unit, specifying the new identifying number of the Extra.

But this is all too much like work and not much fun, so I just let the number boards shine brightly on any of my locomotives equipped with illuminated number boards.  

@Number 90 posted:

But this is all too much like work and not much fun, so I just let the number boards shine brightly on any of my locomotives equipped with illuminated number boards.  

Since most newer Lionel Legacy stuff has number boards wired directly to track power, if they're on a powered track, the number boards are on.

I believe strictly speaking railroad engines are not required to have number boards (lighted or otherwise), so I'm not surprised no rules or regulations were found.

@wjstix posted:

I believe strictly speaking railroad engines are not required to have number boards (lighted or otherwise), so I'm not surprised no rules or regulations were found.

Actually, they are required to have lighted number boards within Track Warrant Control territory.  Train identification is extremely important when other trains are being met, or by track or bridge gangs holding track warrants that become effective after "Engine [number] has arrived at [location]".  In CTC some railroads may not require number board illumination, although identification is still required by trains or gangs having been given authority to open a switch and occupy the main track after arrival of a train identified by engine number.

@wjstix posted:

I believe strictly speaking railroad engines are not required to have number boards (lighted or otherwise), so I'm not surprised no rules or regulations were found.

I am. Read Walter's post above. I also want to keep the loco (Alco PA1) correct for it's time.Not for todays practices. Besides, RR's have rules for everything even how long to clip your toenails  I just decided to connect number boards to smoke circuit  so I can turn them on and off manually through the cab-1.  This is a Lionel PA-1chassis with MTH Southern RR. body shells. It's 2 mabuchi 545 motors will do the work of 4 mabuchi 385 motors in the MTH locos. Too bad Lionel, later, followed MTH down the 385 path. Even Williams and Weaver started out putting 545 motors in their cab Diesels only to switch to 385s later           j

While numberboards may not be required today...the rules required a legible locomotive number on all 4 sides of a locomotive in a certain font height whether painted on numbers/digits or a numberboard with locomotive numbers lighted or otherwise. At least that is what I remember from when I was on the railroad. Walter

The original question referenced Rule 17 (headlights must be dimmed when meeting another train) asking "should number boards be illuminated on trailing units when running as multi units with 2 or more units." Rule 17 deals with headlights, not number boards, so it makes sense it's not addressed in Rule 17.

I believe a consist of engines moving by themselves would need to show a headlight in each direction, like when moving through a yard area. Once coupled to the train, whether the rear unit has a headlight on or off or the number boards on or off isn't isn't related to any rule or regulation I know of?

@wjstix posted:

I believe a consist of engines moving by themselves would need to show a headlight in each direction, like when moving through a yard area. Once coupled to the train, whether the rear unit has a headlight on or off or the number boards on or off isn't isn't related to any rule or regulation I know of?

The consist is only required to have the trailing headlight on "Dim" as a marker.