Standard Codes of Engine Headlamps

Here is another curious list lifted from Farrington’s Railroading Around the World.

1. "Two lights or disks on pilot beam-express passenger train or breakdown van going to clear the line or light engine going to assist disabled train.
2. One light under the stack on smokebox-local passenger train, or stopping passenger train, as they call it.
3. One light on pilot beam and 1 light in center of smokebox on pilot beam-express goods; also authorized empty coaching stock.
4. One light or disk on smokebox under stack and 1 light on right side of pilot beam-express goods or empty coaching stock
5. One light in center of smokebox and 1 light in left side of pilot beam-express goods.
6. One light under stack, on smokehouse, and 1 light left side-class A goods. One light on smokebox under stack and 1 light in middle of smokebox and pilot beam-class B goods
7. One light on pilot beam right side-class C goods or ballast train. One light on left side on pilot beam-class D goods or local fright.
8. One single light on pilot beam in middle if smokebox-light engine or engine with not more than two breakdown attached."

Railroading Around the World, S. Kip Farrington, Jr., Castle Books, New York, 1955.