Many years ago, travelling on the SWML I remember on hot sunny days trains running with the saloon lights switched off. Was this a specific policy, or just something done by individual guards?
Units. Cigs and Veps.
I also remember travelling on SR EMUs (1970s-80s period), mostly SE Division, on which the lights were only switched on for tunnels.
I also remember travelling on SR EMUs (1970s-80s period), mostly SE Division, on which the lights were only switched on for tunnels. No idea if it was policy, but it seems to have been common enough practice.
When I worked first generation DMUs back in the 80s, it was policy to have the saloon lights off in daylight hours unless you entered a tunnel.
There was a convenient ‘train lights’ on/off switch situated at the Guards desk in the brake van but inevitably you sometimes forgot, especially if you had the independent brake van lights on.
Loco hauled stock and EMUs generally ran with lights on continuously.
On Mk 1 and i believe Mk2 the lighting was powered from batteries which were charged from a dynamo when the train was in motion. Therefore ETH not required for lightingIf it was LHCS I would've said lack of ETH, but that doesn't really apply to units
Yes, the 1903 FO to from Paddington to Worcester was often 50 hauled plus Mk 1 corridor stock. Often lights were on only if passengers switched them on, so if they were off you got a great view of the Cotswolds at dusk, and frequently saw deer and other wildlife.On the Western Region, I'd say loco-hauled stock (well, Mk1's anyway) ran with lights off in daylight, just like the first generation DMU's you mention. The first tunnel out of Paddington wasn't until Somerton (Somerset) on the West of England main line.
Lights on: I guess it's all to do with Health and Safety to prevent trips and falls. I always prefer to have interior lights off when travelling so I can see the scenery, especially early evening! On heritage railways it's often possible in compartment stock to switch the central light(s) to dim, and switch off reading lamps. Not so easy on open stock or stock with low energy or fluorescent lights. I've done winter railtours on Network Rail in open stock where the reflections caused by bright interior lights have all but completely blotted out the scenery of the S&C route, sunsets etc. Maybe charter operators could advertise a dimly lit carriage for those that prefer to look out rather than read or eat 3 course meals, for which bright light is of course essential.
You've just answered my question! I thought the driver did it.When I worked first generation DMUs back in the 80s, it was policy to have the saloon lights off in daylight hours unless you entered a tunnel.
There was a convenient ‘train lights’ on/off switch situated at the Guards desk in the brake van but inevitably you sometimes forgot, especially if you had the independent brake van lights on.
You've just answered my question! I thought the driver did it.
Was it like a MK1/2 coach stock etc with a T-Key and 'on and off' buttons?
On Mk 1 and i believe Mk2 the lighting was powered from batteries which were charged from a dynamo when the train was in motion. Therefore ETH not required for lighting
All Mk 1 and at least up to Mk 2 c. Heating on them has no link to lightingOn all Mk1 and early Mk2 or just steam heat ones?
Best trip with lights out was Metro Cammell DMU Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Festiniog in the 1990s. Being sat behind the driver was quite exciting in the tunnel I recall.
Yes, the 1903 FO to from Paddington to Worcester was often 50 hauled plus Mk 1 corridor stock. Often lights were on only if passengers switched them on, so if they were off you got a great view of the Cotswolds at dusk, and frequently saw deer and other wildlife.
On first generation Dmus they almost always put the lights on for Old Hill tunnel between Birmingham and Worcester but almost never for Rainbow Hill Tunnel just by Shrub Hill station.
Pretty certain it was as you suggest: lights on dim via flick switch, no reading lights on. Meant a pretty good view out until it got properly dark. Later on those same Mk1s got refurbished with the NSE livery, striped seats and fluorescent lighting which made them very bright inside at night. Safer perhaps but not so cosy or sleep inducing!Are you sure?
As a rule mk1 & 2 compartment stock had lights on all the time, the switch over the door was a dim/full setting. Additionally there were individually switched on/off reading lamps.
Open stock had the lights full on all the time
There was a similar thread to this six months or so ago
Pretty certain it was as you suggest: lights on dim via flick switch, no reading lights on. Meant a pretty good view out until it got properly dark. Later on those same Mk1s got refurbished with the NSE livery, striped seats and fluorescent lighting which made them very bright inside at night. Safer perhaps but not so cosy or sleep inducing!
I would imagine there are axle driven generators on all loco hauled stock. Been on trains formed of mk 2d/e/f or mk 3 stock hauled for reasonable distances with no heat locos and light remained on. Happy to be corrected on that. Think advent of central door locking required an ETH (later ETS) fitted loco to prevent batteries going flat? Still remember no heat locos hauling said stock well into 1990s, though.All Mk 1 and at least up to Mk 2 c. Heating on them has no link to lighting
Several years ago, Grand Central ran a "Halloween Special" from Bradford Interchange to Doncaster and back which had the lighting turned down. It only ran one year though, presumably because of safety concerns.I would gladly pay for that.
The night time scenery is compelling in its own way, but with flourescent lighting, one rarely gets to see it from a train.
Several years ago, Grand Central ran a "Halloween Special" from Bradford Interchange to Doncaster and back which had the lighting turned down. It only ran one year though, presumably because of safety concerns.
The seated coaches of SNCF sleepers have the lighting turned off overnight, but the vestibule lights stay on and the partitions are glass, so unless you're in the centre of the vehicle a sleeping mask might be needed.