Rear light ?

Doesn't look like a "light", but more like an MU cable receptacle. Without comparing it against the prototype car, it is hard to tell.

OK....... thank you

ETD = end of train device. They have a few other names. It kind of looks like one, but some of the real ones hang on the coupler and the smart ones have an airbrake glad hand so they can monitor the brake line pressure.

Assuming that the molded thing is supposed to be an ETD, they must have compromised (like with so many other things on toys) and put it up on the car end.  I would drill it out and install a flashing LED. It would look good at the rear of an Amtrak train.

Arthur P. Bloom posted:

ETD = end of train device. They have a few other names. It kind of looks like one, but some of the real ones hang on the coupler and the smart ones have an airbrake glad hand so they can monitor the brake line pressure.

Doesn't matter whether it is a "smart" EOT device or not, that ALL must have the brake pipe train line hose attached. The only real difference between the older EOT devices and the current "smart" devices is, the "smart" device also allows the Engineer to dump the air through the EOT remotely from the cab. ALL EOT devices monitor train line brake pipe pressure and transmit that information to the "Mary" receiver box on the Engineer's control stand (or to the Engineer's computer screen, if so equipped). 

Assuming that the molded thing is supposed to be an ETD, they must have compromised (like with so many other things on toys) and put it up on the car end.  I would drill it out and install a flashing LED. It would look good at the rear of an Amtrak train.

Being a traditional guy, when I looked at the MTH car in the photo, I wondered could it be that they had molded into the car body, a flashing rear end device? But then I thought, no they wouldn't do that. That's more of a toy train idea, plus MTH already makes a FRED for their trucks. So I Googled it.

Since there's a FRED on the car, I guess I'd be inclined to go along with what Hot Water suggested.

brianel_k-lineguy posted:

Being a traditional guy, when I looked at the MTH car in the photo, I wondered could it be that they had molded into the car body, a flashing rear end device? But then I thought, no they wouldn't do that. That's more of a toy train idea, plus MTH already makes a FRED for their trucks. So I Googled it.

Since there's a FRED on the car, I guess I'd be inclined to go along with what Hot Water suggested.

Just as I suspected, i.e. a 27 point MU Train Line receptacle, for use in the event of push-pull train service. 

Here's one more photo I just found, and on this one, it appears to be illuminated... or just a very bright red as in some kind of cap or cover. I haven't seen anything so far as to what that item/device/receptacle is.

My guess (and I am guessing) would be it's an HEP pass through receptacle if the MCH cars are at the front of the train.

Rusty

Hard to tell from the  pic... receptacles or light? Does the end of the car have a door for loading autos. I wonder what's gets loaded in these cars if not autos ?

Rusty Traque posted:

My guess (and I am guessing) would be it's an HEP pass through receptacle if the MCH cars are at the front of the train.

Rusty

Don't think it is 480 volt three phase HEP, as HEP requires a minimum of two large 3-pin wires in order to carry the 480 volt, 500 to 700 KW three phase electrical power. Plus, those HEP connector cables are mounted quit low on the bottom ends of every car (two 3-pin receptacles/cables on each side of the coupler).

I saw a couple of pics with what looked like a holder, with a ETD in it and some with something there but not a receptical for cable, maybe someone will come up with a better photo. Seems high for cable ?

Isn't it just a plain old marker light? I worked for the railroad and we used to move Amtrak reefer and mail cars at the time.   I saw them on a regular basis but never really thought twice about them.  Of course we just put them in our consist and they didn't operate in our train.

Nice photo !!   Thank you

That's kind of a cool way to install a FRED, much simpler than finding the proper block for the portable ones.

I used Evans LEd's, a AA Battery holder and a mini three way switch [ON lft-OFF-ON Rgt]to light up both ends of mine!

I used Evans Flashing Led's, a AA Battery holder and a mini three way switch [ON lft-OFF-ON Rgt] to light up both ends of mine!

I like that except I'm not into the Amtrak thing. But I do like your handy work makes it look cool

gunrunnerjohn posted:

That's kind of a cool way to install a FRED, much simpler than finding the proper block for the portable ones.

Except that is NOT a "FRED", just simply a rear facing red light. Any "FRED" EOT device would have to have a connection to the rear train line air brake hose.

Thank you for the photos I will have to put that light on at least one of these cars. Hot Water,  would that be a blinking red light ?

Looks like a marker light to me. Could it flash?   Probably yes.

  I've seen a few fallen portable ones laying on the ties. It kinda worried me back then, so I like the idea of permanency.

 In fact, the first FRED I saw, I had retrieved it thinking that maybe it was an old cast iron heavy equipment contoller that strayed off the road and onto the tracks. (It wasnt lit, but felt like the was likely a battery inside; being aluminum) 

  After reading the ownership stampings, I set it in a safer spot near the crossing controls. An M.O.W. truck showed up before I got 50 yards away. They knew exactly where that FRED was too.  I whistled and pointed at the crossbucks then in the direction of the control boxes with a forward signal, and got a wave back for my efforts. It took a while before I heard about them and the actual function.

  ( I saw the portable FRED above, but was thinking maybe there was sensor failure on the car's light that day? )

Wrong quote! That last post of mine began "at" HW!  Edit comming.