I am TSW fan and train fan from Japan. I found that head light looks different from the train in Japan like the train below it’s a train commuting train I’m using. Head light both side is light. But Javelin running in UK made by Hitachi seems to have wired way to lit. I wonder why is that even classic diesel locomotives have headlights seems not safe to light the front area of train. I like trains in UK too. Just wondering why.
Those headlights are really only used for other drivers to see you, rather than to actually light up the tracks and be bright. Headlights have gotten brighter and stuff but most of the time, it's not meant to be super bright. Was this what you were asking?
Thank you for reply. I think yes that the answer. The concept of safety is different between Japan and UK. UK train is more to recognition of train is on motion and Japanese trains head light are for the safety of the track in front of them.
At night as well the lights illuminate track side signs such as speed limits but as mentioned partly above their role is mostly to let others around you know you are in motion towards or away from them.
The day headlights are designed to make others such as track workers aware of your presence without dazzling other drivers however the night headlights are designed to illuminate the track directly in front of the train so you can see the trackside signs and features.
I see the philosophy of safety in UK and Japan is so much different from the basic. It’s is interesting to know that.