The "SB-WR-2-300" Mars Light was a combination white-red warning light. It appears that railroads used this unit in both the selective white-red mode as well as using it as dual white light (with both lights being energized). The Wabash 1189 F7 (see below) originally was set up to run as a white-red unit but the red lens is not shown. It has been wired to have both bulbs illuminated on energization. This light actually consists of a former SBWR-5000 unit to which an SB-WR-2-300 unit has been affixed to the back plate via spacers. Now the museum is restoring the light to its original white-red mode. It has a red lens and is looking for the required hardware to mount it. The electrical provisions for this mode of operation will also be made. (1999)
update: 5/2002
This light mechanism has been swapped for the mechanism in the Monon No. 96 at the Indiana Transportation Museum.
see SWBR-5000-1 Mars Light
The Mars Light unit in restored Wabash 1189 F7 uses both bulbs clear due to the unavailability of red lens. (now they have the red lens...see above)
Photos courtesy of Monticello Railway Museum - furnished by Paul Nelson
The unit is presently wired to run with both bulbs illuminated. (see above)
Back view of unit
Cover off - Right view of mechanism
Left view of mechanism
Right view of mechanism
Right view of mechanism
Dropping resistors mounted on back of mechanism
Pyle-National control for Mars Light unit
Metal tag attached to unit
The motor in this mechanism was (or should have been) installed at the top according to the linkage and tilt of bulb plate. There is a gearbox attached to each end of the motor. The motor (Mars part no. SBRE-27 R) indicates that the motor voltage is 64 AC-DC.
Front
Left side
Right side
Tag - on back side of mounting plate
The following photos by:
Patrick Hansen
The Mars SB-WR-2-300 Light came off the former Chicago Great Western No. 403 SD-40 built in 1966 and subsequently became Chicago NorthWestern No. 923.
The light was installed with the motor at the top as evidenced by the paint on the flange in sand filler region of No. 923. This light may be installed on a locomotive with the motor at the top or bottom. The linkage to the bulb plate and the gearboxes have to be fixed to produce the pattern in which the the bulb plate will produce the headlight (parallel to the tracks) position, as well as the upward beam sweep.
