Premier NYC e-8 lightning stripe 20-21253-1 ditch light question

Ditch light auto is the setting that should turn them on in forward and flash with the horn blow.

OK, a dumb question; why are there ditch lights on a NYC E unit, when the NYC was long gone by the time the FRA mandated ditch lights?

Yeah, I have that engine.  Just tested and mine operates correctly (steady on/ flash with horn blow).

@Hot Water posted:

OK, a dumb question; why are there ditch lights on a NYC E unit, when the NYC was long gone by the time the FRA mandated ditch lights?

Just for fun?

@Hot Water posted:

OK, a dumb question; why are there ditch lights on a NYC E unit, when the NYC was long gone by the time the FRA mandated ditch lights?

They are models of existing engines located in Medina, NY.

Pete

The newest versions of MTH engines (I have two newer engines) have ditch lights that only flash when the horn blows.  They are not on steady when the engine runs.  This must be how the new boards are programmed.  My older MTH engines have the steady on ditch lights.  Your right in that the only settings are “ditch lights off” and “auto ditch lights”.  The “auto ditch lights” means flash only when the horn blows.

Ron

@RON ARNDT 091718 posted:

They got rid of the other DCS selections? under the DCS "control" settings? I think I use the "on" setting that make them on and still flash with the horn.

Maybe the 2 engines (just certain ones) are changed to be prototypical? Which ones did you get?

The two engines I have that do not have the steady on ditch lights are a 30-20342-1 Santa Fe Dash 8 and a 30-20512-1 EMD Demonstrator SD70ACe received new in March.

Ron

Engineer-Joe

I stand corrected.  I didn’t go beyond the Softkeys to look at the controls for the ditch lights.  Going to Menu and Controls, Ditch Lights,  there is indeed an “On” switch for the ditch lights that make them operate prototypically, steady on and flash with horn.  Jini5, try this with your E-8.  It should work the same.  Boy, this Forum really comes in handy!

Ron

@Hot Water posted:

OK, a dumb question; why are there ditch lights on a NYC E unit, when the NYC was long gone by the time the FRA mandated ditch lights?

Your answer lies within this link. 

https://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=274114

@RON ARNDT 091718 posted:

Engineer-Joe

I stand corrected.  I didn’t go beyond the Softkeys to look at the controls for the ditch lights.  Going to Menu and Controls, Ditch Lights,  there is indeed an “On” switch for the ditch lights that make them operate prototypically, steady on and flash with horn.  Jini5, try this with your E-8.  It should work the same.  Boy, this Forum really comes in handy!

Ron

This is so funny!    After reading engineer Joe's posting, I went to bed last night thinking about it. I should have known this. I thought I had a good grip on DCS functions but I have been away from the trains for 6 months or so. It hit me early this morning to use the menu instead of the soft keys.There I am playing with trains at 12:15am. Works like a charm. I came on this forum to thank everyone and to let them know how to correct the issue. You guys beat me to it.