SBWR-5000 - Gyrating Warning Lights

SBWR-5000-1/SBWR-5888 Mars Lights

SBWR-5000-1 MARS LIGHT

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

SBWR-5888 MARS LIGHT

No. 96 Monon FP7 with a Mars SBWR-5888 Light in upper headlight opening
This is an ex-Milwaukee Road FP7 painted in the Monon livery. Both lights are ON if light is in operation. ----- This light unit has since been removed from the No. 96 and is now installed in the Wabash No. 1189 F7. There were 3 F units purchased in 1983 (Nos.: 72, 83, & 96) from the Milwaukee Railroad. Personnel at the Indiana Transportation Museum do not recall which locomotive this light was originally on. Photos of the light, recently restored, are shown below. There was a metal tag on the light stating: Model Number as "SBWR-5888"; Voltage as "74"; and Serial Number as "111". The location of the tag was on the upper back of the light mechanism behind the resistors. The tag was secured using screws. The tag is screened Red with Silver lettering and referenced US Patent No. 3,546,669 entitled "SIGNAL" - issued in 1970 to J. D. Kennelly --- basis for Mars "888" Light. This light mechanism is identical to the one above in the CB&Q E5 9911A. The SBWR-5888 series was apparently a special or last run of this type light as Mars was getting out of the locomotive light business. The low serial number on the device and newer tag which was made up after the cited patent was issued (1970) indicate that this may have been the case. The zip code for Mars is given as "60651" (something not seen in previous locomotive Mars tags). This zip code corresponds with the address of 5737 W. Division St. in Chicago, which is the address found in what little literature there is available on the Mars locomotive lighting. Evidence of the tag location is seen in the bare metal imprint in photos below. The bulbs in the light are now 75-volt 350-watts. The resistors shown in the photos below are for dimming the lamps.
photo by Phil Slates - Indiana Transportation Museum
information provided by Kent McClure - Monticello Railway Museum & personnel at Indiana Transportation 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