This Mars Light was apparently a revision of the SBWR-5000 light. The housing for the light (SB-100) and base with the locking knob (SB-55) are typical for both the SBWR-5000 and the SBWR-5000-1. Whereas the SBWR-5000 light incorporated a mechanism similar to the Mars SB-WR-2-200 Lights, the SBWR-5000-1 lights had a mechanism like that of the SB-WR-2-300s. As in the SBWR-5000 model, the SBWR-5000-1 could apparently be purchased with an option to have both bulb turned ON. The lights in these units were mounted in a manner where the motor was at the bottom of the light as well. (see also "SBWR-5888" entry below)
Mars catalog illustration of SBWR-5000-1
It should be noted that the nomenclature of this light is only evidenced by this catalog photo which shows the 2 projections on the Left side of the light (referenced to locomotive mounting) pointed to
by Red lines. There was no tag ever found affixed to this type light which would verify this model number. The SBWR-5000 tags without the "-1" suffix were another model light and tags were found affixed that
verified this model.
WP 804-A FP7A with Mars SBWR-5000-1 Light in upper headlight opening in nose.
photo by: Clark Bauman
Mars unit in above photo showing details
photo by: Clark Bauman
The SBWR-5000-1 was available as either a complete unit or a conversion unit for the WR-5000 unit.The light in the upper headlight opening of the Chicago Burlington & Quincy No. 9911A E5 uses the SBWR-5000-1 conversion unit as evidenced by former housing and brackets of the WR-5000. The 2 projections on the left side of the mechanism (pointed to in Red) in the illustration above (from Mars Signal Light Co. - Bulletin SB-300 ... furnished by Trans-Lite, Inc.) indicate the orientation of the light's intended design (motor at Bottom). Mars, in contrast, had the motor orientation at the Top in the 300/301 models. The Red lens is cracked in this light due to not having the correct mounting hardware (the lens is forced between the bulb and the outer securing ring). The outer rings on each bulb need to be interchanged - as the ring currently on the upper bulb is the one designed to be used with a 2nd ring to mount the Red lens.
The following photos by:
James Kolanowski - Illinois Railway Museum
The following photos by:
Dave Marshall - Monticello Railway Museum
ATSF 12 E6A with Mars SBWR-5000-1 Light in upper nose
photo by: Jim Pattillo
RI 4150 F9AM with a "possible" SBWR-5000-1 Mars Light conversion (for former
WR-5000 unit) in upper headlight opening
photo by: Brian Ehni
"crop" of above photo showing light unit in upper headlight opening
RI 638 E7A with a "possible" SBWR-5000-1 Mars Light conversion (for former
WR-5000 unit) in upper headlight opening
photo by: Dick Tinder
CGW 113-A F5A with a "possible" SBWR-5000-1 Mars Light conversion (for former
WR-5000 unit) in upper headlight opening
photo by: Jim Sands