Mars Light

Mars Lights are signal-safety lights used in the United States and built by Mars Signal Light Company for railroad locomotives and fire apparatus. Mars Lights used a variety of means to cause the light to oscillate vertically, horizontally, or both, to catch the attention of motorists and pedestrians.

Mars lights were developed by Jerry Kennelly, a Chicago firefighter who realized that oscillating lamps would benefit fire departments and railroads. He performed an operational test with the C&NW railroad in 1936, and Mars Lights began appearing on locomotives in the 1940s.

The name "MARS" Light originated when the Mars Candy Company took over design and production. The majority of funding was provided by Mars, and they insisted that it carry the MARS name. It has nothing to do with "the light from Mars".

Design variations

There were many models of Mars Lights, which used a variety of methods to oscillate the beam. Sometimes the bulb and assembly were moved, other times a reflector behind the light was rotated. The beam was usually rotated in a figure-8 pattern, providing a source for the company slogan, "The Light from Mars". The beams came in a variety of shapes and colors, some locomotives having red and white lights.

Railroad use

Many railroads used Mars lights on a variety of locomotives, both steam and diesel. Mars lights are no longer used by railways, having been replaced by ditch lights, with the exception of some passenger carriers, such as Chicago's Metra. They are still used on fire fighting apparatus, and are available from Tri Lite / Mars, located in Chicago, Illinois.

LAFD requirement

The Los Angeles Fire Department required Mars lights as a standard LACoFD warning device until the Federal BeaconRay was adopted as a replacement.^[1]

Gyralite

Gyralite is a similar type of gyrating warning light formerly made by The Pyle-National Company and now by Trans-Lite, Inc.^[2]

See also

• Grade crossing signals

References

1. ^ http://greg.halpin.com/e-faq.htm
2. ^ http://www.trainweb.org/gyra/warnlts.htm

• Grant V.W. Roth (November 1990) Mainline Modeler "Mars Lights; Their Development"

External links

• Gyrating Warning Lights
• Tri Lite