Q for 765 folk

GP40 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 19, 2004 9:09 am

will 765 be wearing the "mars light" found on many of the NKP Berkshires? I personally think the light looks good on 765.

Mars light Photo

GP40 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 19, 2004 9:14 am

> will 765 be wearing the "mars
> light" found on many of the NKP
> Berkshires? I personally think the light
> looks good on 765.

Made a mistake on the link, sorry.

Mars light Photo

Johnny Winkler · **Posted:** Mon Jul 19, 2004 10:13 am

I asked this same question earlier this year and a couple of the 765 people said the mars light would stay off,apparently the majority of the crew thinks 765 looks better without it.I suggested that the mars light would be a most appropriate safety device in this modern era of ditchlights.

winklerjohn@bellsouth.net

Ron Muldowney · **Posted:** Mon Jul 19, 2004 8:41 pm

I must agree with the mars light. I always thought that the NKP 759 looked great with the mars light. The safety issue is another conern. If the mars light helped to prevent a grade crossing accident.......

steamfan@crusoe.net

Josh Wallis · **Posted:** Mon Jul 19, 2004 9:40 pm

Bill Purdie took the mars light off when 765 ran for the Southern in 1982. He said that he had no use for more than one headlight. Actually, if you look at pictures from early in 765's career, it didn't wear it much even before this. The only time 765 has worn it since then was in '87.
I don't think it worked right and hasn't worn it since. I started volunteering in '89 and the crew did not speak fondly of it.

> I must agree with the mars light. I always
> thought that the NKP 759 looked great with
> the mars light. The safety issue is another
> conern. If the mars light helped to prevent
> a grade crossing accident.......

wallis@netdoor.com

Bryan M. · **Posted:** Tue Jul 20, 2004 9:54 am

The last time the Mars light was on the locomotive it quit working altogether. At that time the crew decided not to repair it and that the engine looked better without it anyway. This also meant that they could get by with using just one turbo generator since the Mars light required a second generator. Also keep in mind that the Mars light was not original equipment and was added by NKP later on in 765's career.

J Feicht · **Posted:** Tue Jul 20, 2004 10:09 pm

> Of all the "jewelry" being refurbished to go back on the front of the 765, the Mars light is not included. As Bryan said, it no longer works, it required the second turbo, and I have never heard anyone on the crew say anything good about it when ever this question comes up and it comes up quite often.

http://www.765.org
zak@erinet.com