Thomas Lamps & Headcodes - EXPLAINED!

[@ThomasTheorist]

The line "but it's just a theory, thomas theory" was actually written and edited BEFORE MatPat left KZbin. Had I known he was leaving, I probably wouldn't have referenced it, just FYI 😅

[@PlayDontPause]

Someone’s gotta Cathryn the torch.

[@PlayDontPause]

How the fuck did autocorrect get ‘Cathryn’.

[@constantinlucasievici9846]

I love how The Unlucky Tug and you posted same style videos. Noice👍 Tug: The number, You: The lamps. neat.

[@constantinlucasievici9846]

Anyway. Usually there's like 50 replies on your comments. Oh well they'll come later. Hee hee I own the 3rd and 4th comment hehehehehehe

[@constantinlucasievici9846]

20:26 I get you bro. Very used to seeing them. Very common here in Skibidihio ya know. I see about 50 of these a second. Strangely enough none of the ones I see are labeled 10 though.... just 11 and 12 and 13, oh and they are like 26.0848% possessed. But nothing to worry about, they're. Just constantly running after this..... *Lady*..... Apparently there's one that they're chasing CALLED: *Woman* as well, oh, and *Girl* (get it? Fan created:diesel 11 and 12 and 13 and instead of *Lady*....it's woman ♀️ ️ and girl because... They're all female? get it? Fine keep scrolling...bye)

[@thesudriana016]

If only the show actually used the proper interchangeable headcode signatures like in real life and the RWS (as well as the first 5 seasons, though not just at nighttime).

[@munipalsfanboything]

Well, they somewhat did. Seeing as in a single Season 1 promo image of Henry (Old Shape), Henry is pulling some coaches with a… ‘Perishable Goods’ headcode??? Keep in mind it was during the day.

[@kekofsodor4899]

Fun Fact: The white headlamps are supposed to have handles on them above the nub on top. The handle was present on Thomas' model in season 1 for some episodes and promotional material, but in other episodes and for the rest of the series the handle is gone. This is most probably because of Ringo Starr who during his time narrating the first season, had photos taken holding the original Thomas model. In one of the photos he holds Thomas up to his face and his nose presses up against the top of his headlamp. Being so small and thin, it wouldn't take much pressure to accidentally break the tiny lamp handle off. So the reason why all other white headlamp handles are missing for the entirety of the series, even into the CGI seasons, is Ringo's nose's fault.

[@leiagelwasser2168]

I definitely understand why head codes were ignored a lot of the time in the model series, especially early on. I can't imagine how painful it might have been to try and make a modular setup like that. Theoretically I can see it being done with magnets but it would make every engine a lot more expensive. But what I don't understand is why they didn't do that for the CGI series. One of the big benefits is that you'd be able to do shots and characters that would be very difficult in model form, so why not take advantage of it more?

[@Ramtamtama]

Plus merch. You could sell Thomas with 10 different headcodes

[@wolfycakes136]

​@@Ramtamtamaagreed

[@tehdrago]

Because, nobody cares anymore.

[@expertfaun11492]

I guess THE ANIMATORS aRe siMPLy doNT CAre AbouT TRAIIIIINNNNNNS wtf

[@RibbonRailProfuctions]

As an American, who’s been really getting into British steam locomotives, I’ve been learning the headcodes of BR . In TSW’s spirit of steam and the peak forest routes, you can put the correct headcodes on for what train your running. You can even put tail lamps on

[@Voucher765]

Same, I actually know next to nothing about British locomotives because I'm mostly familiar with American locomotives

[@RibbonRailProfuctions]

@@Voucher765 only thing about BR steam is, the wheel config and class, that's it lol

[@Voucher765]

@@RibbonRailProfuctions Same

[@NitroIndigo]

Now I'm imagining Thomas having a huge stash of foreign lamps.

[@Dino-Jira]

Literally, same and the thought makes me so happy

[@FatHat-qi6hz]

Paxton's headcode is literally just express with a bit of (1) "uhh we get more laps." (2) "Eh just throw them on, oh, also make all the lights green and red." (1)"Well its is Christmas so. Oh well."

[@Kyobloxer21]

no its the "paxton wth happend in this episode" lamp code

[@rhyusbrand8311]

@@Kyobloxer21no, it’s the “merry christmas diesel, don’t run it’s your buddy the ghost of christmas future”

[@232stinger]

I think its the "party" headcode

[@joshslater2426]

I like that they went to the effort to put lamps on the engines, and managed to sometimes getting it correct. It adds a nice degree of realism. Thanks for the video. I’ve build some trains in Lego and I’m convinced I’m mostly getting the lamps wrong. I have an E2, and I put the lamp in the centre to give it the shunter head code. I also have a GER F48 with a mineral lamp as it was a freight loco. Now that I think about it, I am getting it slightly right.

[@Ramtamtama]

Lamp in the centre is also light engine, whilst a light at the top only would be Thomas pulling Annie & Clarabel, as standardised in 1923 by the Railways Act 1921

[@itssebymg]

The Headcode Paxton uses in Diesel's Ghosthly Christmas is a perfect example of when an engine tries to scare another one especifically with pipes to reverb their voice. Viva Paxton!

[@lukemendel8197]

In the USA, Locomotive lamps are mainly for lighting up the track ahead.

[@SoldierFox1393]

Same thing with Canada as well, i dont understand why the UK thinks it's a good idea to not give them a cow catcher and just a standard headlight like Canada and the USA do. Maybe they just prefer to have the locomotive derail and cause more accidents and money if there was something on the track not to mention having non proper headlights(being sarcastic)

[@TrainsForNSWVlogs]

​@@SoldierFox1393it's because they inclosed the rail corridor with fences.

[@lordmalachi6]

​@@SoldierFox1393the tracks in the UK are all fenced in so nothing can (should) get on the tracks, unlike in the US/Canada. Also the idea with no headlights generally was that you can't stop in time anyway, so it's better to preserve the driver's "night sight". Plus the head codes are legitimately useful.

[@joshuaW5621]

Now that I realise it, Edward should have had the branch line head codes since he was pulling commuter trains. Also, thanks for giving me more tips on how the revival era would be like. I just find it fully how you guys keep pointing out these things that are inaccurate to real life railways.

[@ianiant306]

Sometimes he was pulling boat trains to and from Brendam. Those have to be fast and make minimal stops in order for passengers to catch their boats.

[@stevenmosco20]

As well as the fact it would make sense for the story cuz if edward and gordon had different headocdes, then they wouldnt have been set on the wrong lines

[@TheOfficialArtOfAsh]

I'm kinda surprised the TV series didn't use the disc headcodes. (For anyone wondering, the disc headcodes are white discs fitted to an engine's lamp irons, like lamps. They were prominently used by the Southern Railway, and later British Railways.) Since the disc headcides are literally just white discs that could just be made of cardboard, they could've been an easy alternative for actual lamps. Oh yeah, I wanted to point out something: The lamp on the right lamp iron can be considered "light engine" in certain other railways like the Southern Railway.

[@Ramtamtama]

They were standardised in 1923, which made light engine bottom centre

[@Watermillfilms]

I thought disc headcodes on the SR where for designations rather than type of train. For example two white centred discs like this ( : )would mean to the West Country ( Exeter ) a down train from London. While the GWR had the standard lamp codes and destination number boards for passenger trains. For example 130 for the Cornish Rivera express London to Penzance.

[@BrentSudric]

You'd still need lamps for night running as the discs emit no light

[@thegoodmudkip3652]

I don't think they knew about headcodes tbh.

[@optiquemusic6204]

@@BrentSudric If the discs are made of a reflective material, that wouldn't be as big an issue. The usage of discs is an impressive attention to detail for the Edwards' work on the Railway Series.

[@POTC_Oscarandfriens2.0]

Diesel 10's lights... i think thy are supposed to represent Ditch Lights. they're on most American based diesels, and they're close to the tracks to illuminate the line ahead. but that's just my thoughts on it.

[@TankEngineMedia]

It is very interesting to learn about the lamp headcodes, didn’t thought about up to this point that each position of the lamp has a purpose as to why it’s there. It makes the show more grounded to real life!

[@Lampironstudios215]

Paxton's head code is what i like to call the "scare diesel into being a kinder engine"

[@thomasoates3003]

8:02 Early BR diesels were fitted with headcode disks which functioned in a similar manner to lamps, but the system was soon replaced with an alphanumeric display housed in an indicator box; 1M63, for example. The requirement to display a visible headcode was dropped in the early 1970s, and most headcode indicator boxes were plated over and lights fitted in their place. Diesel 10's headcode indicator box would sit roughly where his face is, hence why he lacks a lamp code.

[@DuckyLTD69]

For big diesel engines, They have discs. Back on the southern railway, they used white discs as headcodes and when British Railways came along, they put lights on the bogeys of their diesels but kept the southern discs for headcodes, later on the headcodes became redundant and while discs weren't a thing anymore, they, oddly enough, used letters? Funfact; BoCo, Bear, Bowler and Spamcan also have this arrangement, not 40152 [i think] because after the 1970's, discs weren't a thing anymore

[@SodorTrain1225]

Over here in American, railroads used lamp headcodes at night and different colored flags during the day. Again, they used to, as I doubt that is still a thing.

[@VivianMakin]

At my heritage railway, we use red flags on the back of the train during the day and at night we have hanging lighted lamps on both sides of the back car or caboose which have different color lenses on various sides. Our engines are from the 1930's through about the 1960's and do not have ditch lights...only standard headlights which are lit low beam when stationary and high beam when ready to move or moving. The steam engine (current getting its 1472 service) has marker lights on the top sides of the smokebox which light at night, but just as a heritage / historic railroad engine. All our engines pull both passengers and freight, including the steam engine.

[@SodorTrain1225]

@@VivianMakin Cool!

[@victoriacyunczyk]

At a museum I volunteered at, we used flags on the engine and caboose/last coach. It's in the rulebook too, not just an aesthetic.

[@SodorTrain1225]

@victoriacyunczyk Speaking of rulebook, I actually have one that was originally owned by a distant late relative of mine. It can also fit into a person's pocket, which is very handy.

[@victoriacyunczyk]

@@SodorTrain1225 I have an old pocket-size Chessie one somewhere. The museum one goes in a binder that we keep with our stuff while on duty. edit: typo

[@PercytheSaddleTank]

The perishable goods headcode can also be used for mail/post.

[@emersoninfinitystone5785]

We thought Awdry was furious when Britt and the model series crew broke Rule 55 with Henry..... imagine what he'd think seeing the cgi. teams absolutely destroy whatever rule it is involving the correct headcodes for almost every character.

[@FatHat-qi6hz]

the TV series was was like "rule 55, we only broke that many?"

[@clockwork3494]

Considering we have AEG now, I feel as though Awdry is likely looking down with disappointment seeing the legacy of his creation turned into a dumbed down shell of what it once was and what it was meant to be. Awdry said many a time that he wrote the RWS the way he did so both children and adults reading were entertained which I feel translated well to the early TVS too, AEG however has essentially flipped that premise on it's head and made it so unbearable that even the demographic it's supposed to appeal to hates it and wants the CGI version back.

[@NumberOneBastard-1]

​@@FatHat-qi6hz Got the reference!!! *;)*

[@Sudriantank743]

4:57, even after Matt patt retires, people will forever make that joke

[@clockwork3494]

I've known headcodes existed for the longest time but finding a concise list of accurate information on them has always been oddly difficult, so I really appreciate you going in to detail on them in this video. It's actually nice to know there was a headcode informational from the RWS too, not sure how I never found that but the more you know lol Definitely going to he using this information for my art in the future since I've always wanted to draw engines with their accurate headcodes, so thank you for making this.

[@threepea1151]

You forgot the V for victory head code that Bullied Pacific ‘Winston Churchill’ used when pulling its namesakes funeral train

[@Sudriantank743]

What headcode was that?

[@threepea1151]

@@Sudriantank743 Just a V

[@SouthernMaineFoamer]

@@Sudriantank743apparently it means “western”. As in, western routes like Portsmouth, Bristol, etc. Well, at least according to google.

[@SouthernMaineFoamer]

There’s other headcodes thr southern experimented with on the un-rebuilt bullied Pacifica and Q1 because of their boxy shape. They did that on diesels too I believe.

[@vincentmorris8431]

I've honestly come rather passionate on that Thomas lamp shape. Though for the bigger scale models of him used for narrow gauge and Pack, it felt off. I also suspect them default having a lamp at their right, perhaps they saw like a person holding a flashlight in their right hand. Whiff also had one on his left in MIR. I actually like Salty's CGI lamp. Duchess' irons are actually more accurate to how they're shaped IRL, though her outer ones are white. Interesting that Arthur had white too. Of many things I'd wanna tweak to Rebecca's design, one would be a middle lamp. I'm often bugged when an engine has a right lamp but no iron visible on their left - mostly for Donald & Douglas. Interesting how S18 having ones like Samson and the Skarlo-fleet with just a left, while some like Gator and Ryan even have a middle one. For a couple of OCs I've attempted, one being a Urie G16 with a middle iron, and a Wheatley Y10 without the middle.

[@fairlyoddenginecreations]

I actually did research for certain headcodes for a roblox video I had planned, fascinating stuff!

[@TankEngine97]

I noticed the whole lamps appearing and disappearing in night shots since I was young. It always boggled me that they had them only in nighttime scenes and in the day time they're just gone.

[@gothnerd887]

20:39 that's an interesting Magic Railroad AU. *Diesel 10 is about to destroy Lady and Thomas when suddenly a strange voice rings out* Mysterious voice: She's not the Magic Engine. *everyone turns to where the voice came from* Proteus: I am.

[@Cal23636]

"But it's just a theory, A THOMAS THEORY" We should never forget about matpat 😢

[@Keaness]

8:58 I have something I noticed that I can’t unsee. Look at Gordon’s and maybe Henry’s cylinders, they had been dremilled to fit the chassis. And that bloody carried over to their cgi models!!

[@Legopandaproductions799]

The “drunk Paxton” head code is the “random lights go” head code where you pin the front of the engine to a dart board and throw as many darts as you can hold at once at the board and whatever sticks and doesn’t obstruct the engine’s face is how the head code is rendered

[@UsefulEngine11]

For the longest time besides actually being a lamp I thought they were just for looks. I might try using the head code thing for my actual series when I get it off the ground. Although I fear I might end up like the TV show and just stop caring. However when it comes to these head codes my favorites are the Express passenger, ordinary passenger, and mineral or empty freight. A great video Adam I can't wait to see more in the future.

[@Miguel-Thleomuy]

Thank you for telling us about head codes because I didn't even know they're even existed

[@kevin-2.1]

Fantastic video about lamps. Funny that the lamps appeared in the night time, but disappeared in the daytime. Looks like Britt wanted the steam team to have the same lamp position as Thomas has. And I get why they stuck with the same Thomas position, maybe because they are struggling with putting the lamp on because you can see the wire. Must be a big pain in the butt to try to make the lambs work. And I agree with you that Stepney’s lamp should be on his lamp irons. Before I don’t even know what they’re called or what they’re used for. And then change in the dark, why would the writers put that in? And why would the writer say buffer and not lamp iron?

[@ironhorsehistorian9871]

I actually never knew head codes were a thing! You learn something new every day.

[@D.D.D.STUDIO]

Paxton's headcode is a ghostly one

[@joeythecat7482]

The real life accurate lamp placement for Connor and Catlin would be on their noses.

[@SouthernMaineFoamer]

That would be true for a lot of characters actually.

[@benjamindeloney]

That’s basically for all American trains in general bar the diesel engines

[@ThomastheE2]

Also for those wondering, the theme used in the intro and outro was the Bridge Cafe Band theme

[@InventorZahran]

More specifically, InstrumentManiac's version of it.

[@superzachworld]

The way you say baby lamp is adorable lol

[@MatthewMiranda-l2t]

I've always wondered why so many steam engines that were introduced in the nitrogen era had lamps on their funnels

[@TracksideManiac]

I’m guessing Paxton’s head code is the “We can’t make this shit up” head code.

[@Jetthehawk1994]

Actually Diesel 10's lamps are what I think are ditch lights, lights that help the crew see closer to the tracks. But for aesthetics, Diesel 10's lamps were moved further down compared to his basis. If you look at a photo of a Class 42 in real life, they have the lamps situated at where I assume would be under his cheekbones.

[@starcodieannaz]

It's surprising how a minor decision made by the show's crew would have a major impact on the rest of the show. This video might make you seem nitpicky, but it did teach me about what railway lamps mean in real life! But you are right, it would have been more logicable if they kept the lamps consistent throughout the show.

[@oilking-bo3gt]

Will you ever do a theory on Henrey's Special Coal and him living the sheds for no reason

[@joshslater2426]

I still wish he didn’t leave. Henry is one of Sodor’s most important engines, so you’d think they’d keep him in the most important shed.

[@toby.fan9198]

6:28 Stepney wasn’t the only one to have this issue in season 4, both Henry and Duck have it in the episode fish for some reason.

[@SalvadorUnited]

Aside from lamp and Headcodes, 13:19, I'm not Henry, I'm BALLOONS!😂😂 got me😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@DoritoTime]

The “light” headcode would obscure the character’s face. Especially on someone like Stepney whose face is very low and close to his running board. Imagine the entirety of Stepney Gets Lost with a giant lamp blocking his face the entire episode because “he wasn’t pulling any coaches”. The kids wouldn’t understand WHY the lamp was in the way and the general public would see it as an error, so I can see why they did away with them

[@HenrysHelpful]

I had no idea the lamps in Thomas had so much depth! This is simply amazing!

[@brendenoneill3068]

Were the lamps used to see in the dark like headlights? or were the trains running blind only with signals giving orders to the train crews?

[@judestefanik3145]

19:31 international lamps are about seeing where you're going lol

[@traintrack3761]

Actually Scruff did got a lamp, I saw him with a lamp in Pouty James.

[@SouthernMaineFoamer]

As an American, I find headcodes weirdly interesting. Though, it’s hard to remember all of them. Also, most of our lamps (when it comes to steam locomotives) are either on the top or in the middle of the smoke box. However, the Union Pacific’s Big Boys and Challengers and a few streamlined locomotives sort of have a lamp in the middle on the bottom towards the cowcatcher/pilot. The headcode is basically pointless in the U.S. and North America in general. Instead, we have something called “Markers”. They aren’t used nowadays but back then every locomotive had them. They had 3 colors, white/yellow meant “Extra” (an example would be empty cars/wagon, a single locomotive, an excursion, etc.), green meant regular train (normal freight and passenger), and red meant end of the train. Cabooses had them as well. There are also a few type of specific lamps that are very familiar to North Americans but not to the rest of the world. One is called a mars or gyro light, it basically just sways around and side to side. The current one used is called a ditch light, it’s actually 2 lights and how it works is basically one flashes and then the other flashes as well. All diesel locomotives that are built nowadays are required to have them.

[@smilyboi9847]

13:17 “I’m not Henry....I’m *balloons* Bruh I spat out my drink then. I wasn’t expecting that 😂

[@karenfan010]

1:41 uh… I think you got the illustrations mixed up. henry being sick was from thomas’ train, and he didn’t pull a goods train he pulled a passenger train. thomas taking goods was from thomas and the trucks, and the goods train wasn’t henry’s it was edward’s. I mean I get these stories are from the same book but still.

[@thegoodmudkip3652]

Paxton's headcode is the headcode for "Engine dressed up as a holiday spirit to teach their colleague a lesson about being an asshole to everyone."

[@BlueTGM40]

Thanks for the help with the headlamps situation! Couldn’t have figured it out without you!

[@modelrailfan37]

Thanks for making this, I actually didn’t know much about headcodes before this. Also the bit about James in the Dark made me puzzled, as I haven’t watched that episode in ages and forgot how dumb it was.

[@BrentSudric]

Iirc the correct shunting light for diesel electric shunters would be a white light on the left and a red light on the right. I wouldn't worry too much about headcodes for non-steam engines as from the 50-60's onwards they were gradually fazed out with the introduction of computer signalling and on-board train trackers. (Also narrow gauge railways like the Talyllyn don't typically have headcodes and just require a visible front lamp when running trains. Source: Talyllyn Rly staff)

[@stingky3689]

I honestly dont mind them not being accurate with the headcodes. But i loved something that you brought up in this video, the idea that thomas should wear accessories that other engines wore in the country that he's in. It sounds awesome!

[@gordonpacific04]

Good video, I loved how they added Gordon’s express lamps in season 23. Also question: for Donald and Douglas’ snowplowing consist, what would the headcode be for that?

[@flashstudiosguy]

In EVERY Thomas production I do, I try to make sure headcodes are accurate, even going so far as to use my book on headcodes. Sometimes I make mistakes and sometimes it's just not possible, but I do the best I can

[@courtemanche437]

Am I the only one who thought the cut at 13:18 was extremely and unnecessarily funny XD

[@numptypootis8012]

I think headcodes were thrown out the window just for the sake of the engines having a lamp, like a little spotlight for them. Most diesel engines like Mavis don't even need to have headcode lamps as they have little electric lamp boxes built onto her basis. I might be ignorant but I don't think other countries have headcodes so they just had a nice big spotlight lamp bolted onto them. Hell it's a pain to model headcodes onto model trains because lamps are usually glued onto our models and we haven't really got to the stage of magnetic headcodes!

[@immortlsans99]

Dude, I love the lamp animation at the end of the video, it's fantastic.

[@joelcartagena953]

17:44 I actually wish that Thomas was also given the Royal Engine lamp headcode. Because technically like Duchess, he was actually attending a special event that of course involves royalty. (Not to mention that considering Micheal White had written that episode I feel like he could've given a helping hand in correcting the lamp headcodes)

[@alvit123]

5:54 the black tape is called a "brake pipe" this allows air flow and vacuum flow though out the entire train when the Driver is ready to apply or release the combination brake edit Paxton's Head code is "Scaring off naughty Diesels

[@captainevenslower4400]

As a child i had a phase of obsession in symmetry, and Thomas' lamp allways particularly bogged me. I never considered any actual reason for the peculiarity placement. Thank you for enlightening me in the matter.

[@Lighting_Desk]

Okay, I knew about lamp and Lamp irons but it was fascinating to learn about the codes and continuity.

[@jamesjumpscare8825]

The paxton headcode is called the gibbily goobily gamer code

[@Jetthehawk1994]

Actually Edward offered Thomas to take his his train. Thomas taking Henry's train actually occurred in Thomas' Train.

[@BigLadStudios]

Love the shout-out to the Tomy Henry lamps because I completely agree. That's the Henry headcode.

[@drevianedwardsproductions9244]

Interesting thing about lamps and headcoats. To be honest I don't mind every single character the steam team in particular having their lamps on their left from season 18 onwards after a couple of occasions that they would use lamps in previous eras.

[@That1GandMtypeStar]

Paxton’s end code is The Christmas ultimate (this is made up, not actually true)

[@spiderfan2003]

I always learn something new from this channel

[@Keaness]

Good to see you are learning/educating others!

[@SkyeSoarer04]

You do realise that Clappy Claw's Class the 42 warships had the lamps below their running board right Great video way to informative and the diesel 10 joke at the end had me dying with laughter

[@sonictailsx4690]

I think next time I will a draw Thomas character, I will add the head codes that associates with the characters. Like obvious examples, Thomas will have the Branchline head code, Gordon's head code will be the Express, Henry will have Perishable etc etc. After watching this video, it comes to show the little things can make a big difference. If they were able to use the correct head codes more often, that tiny little detail can add so much to the character. It does say a lot about who they are, don't you think?

[@Tachikawa_2006]

I always do that to them when I am illustrating them or when I'm playing BTWF or Sodor Online.

[@YoinkusS]

In the good ol' us of a, there are 3 places you'd put the "main" lamp either on the center of the running board, built/attached to the smokebox door, or on top of the smokebox. Since (afaik) we don't really have a "freight type" headlamp system, just a system for telling what schedule it's on with marker lights. Hope this helps.

[@SodorFan15]

So, what about lamps on the back/tender of and engine? Is it the same as the front?

[@deviousdieselqc]

The lamp on the tender is usually red to show that this is the rear of the train and they can use the front head code at the back if the engine is running back word

[@sudrianliam1199]

I think most of the time when the headcodes don't make sense (especially in the CGI series), it's because it isn't supposed an actual headcode but just a headlamp for illumination. And that's where the show's modelers just did what they knew: A lamp on the top of the engine. Because the CGI show was produced in the US.

[@Shadow_Sprinbonnie]

This probably explains how half the time trains are going down the wrong line and having accidents.

[@Kory-Edits2024]

List of foreign engines: • Hiro • Victor • Bash • Dash • Ferdinand • Logan • Porter All of these are fron countries that dont use UK Headcodes, all American locomotives have lamps in the center

[@Mason58654]

Interesting video. As someone who strongly loves British steam engines, I especially like the white discs for daytime trains and their head code meanings.

[@Jacob-and-Jack-The_engine]

Love the matpat reference but he will be retiring

[@TheOneTrueDragonKing]

As for North America, we don't use headcodes in the US. We have classification lamps and/or flags that do that job - lamps at night, flags during the day. These lamps and/or flags are mounted on the sides of the locomotive's running board, and come in two colors for trains, white and green. Green: Scheduled train which had been broken into two or more sections, each with their own power. The lead train would not have any flags or lights, and any following consists comprising the same slot on the timetable would have green flags or lights. White: White flags or lights indicated an "Extra" train, or one that was not scheduled or one that had deviated from the schedule by a certain amount of time. Also, many freights were timetabled as "Extra", and many steam excursion locomotives today also have the symbol for an "Extra", that being the letter X, on their numberboards. Example: X4014 is read as Extra 4014. Red flags or lights were used as end-of-train markers, and blue flags and lamps (aka "do-not-move-this-equipment-under-penalty-of-termination" flags) were used by the repair shop to mark rolling stock and locomotives undergoing repairs. Also, as a side note, I don't believe any rolling stock (such as Marion the steam shovel) would get a headcode since they were towed. Therefore I believe her "lamp" is actually a floodlight or work light to illuminate her working area as opposed to a headlight. Similarly, Flynn's lamps are likely spotlights, and Winston's lights appear to be add-on vintage headlights, not related to the railway. Also, to echo another viewer, Diesel 10 also appears to have American-style ditch lights. Also, in relation to the exposed wires in the model series, I believe that they would have been mistaken by the casual viewer for extra detailing - cables, ropes, hoses, etcetera - on the running board. Pretty common for trains to have those bits and pieces there. Remember that they didn't have the high-def cameras and TVs of today that can pick out those tiny imperfections in extreme clarity, all they had was the old standard definition cameras and TVs. It was a time where everything didn't have to be perfect.

[@harrisonallen651]

The lamp irons on the buffer beam have always been a complete standout

[@robertlucido3686]

About you talking about the empty passenger head-code, one light on the top and one on both sides on the bottom, it's sort of like on modern American diesel locomotives, where they have headlights and a set of lights on the front and rear running boards known as ditch lights

[@ryleeculla5570]

At least they pointed out the point of the lamp irons and got the right head code 12:45

[@jayvonnoelsmith8445]

British steam locomotives are so awesome

[@PRODIPIEGAMES]

I know alot about steam engines but today i never knew about lamp headcodes thanks for teaching us this man!!!

[@TomasMattvids]

21:21 uh be a Christmas tree?

[@DEVIOUSDUCK5741]

Paxton's unique head code in that one shot is the "GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT" head code as this head code was the head code he used when he was playing the role of "The Ghost of Christmas present" in the "Thomas And Friends" version of "A Christmas Carol" which was Called "Diesel's Ghostly Christmas"

[@joelcartagena953]

18:00 yeah I definitely think that the animators should really gone to any heritage railways or spoken to some railway consultants or even heritage railway employees about the lamp headcodes.

[@dougsfilmtv9810]

That is interesting! I did not know they were headcodes for different engines! I remember seeing that in the early series of the show.

[@RyanGallardo-zx5rj]

They probably gave the engines an express code lamp for the trains they are bigger engines

[@MrXbow4300]

I can help explain some of the head codes shenanigans. A head code is used on steam engines as during the days of steam they needed a way of identifying trains. Though when it comes to diesels they don’t really use it mainly because they have a different method for identifying trains. Also lady having permanent lamps may or may not count as circular white boards or disks are used as well.

[@Defnotyeett]

4:27 THOMAS GOOF ALERT EDWARD HAS NO EYEBROWS!!!!

[@IsleofPigsStudios]

I’ll take this to note for my Roblox videos

[@Ramtamtama]

21:21 I can't make headcode nor tail lamp of it either. Given that Awdry was a rail enthusiast, it would probably greatly pain him to see engines running with incorrect headcodes. Headcodes across the UK were standardised in the Railways Act 1921 (in effect from 1923), so they can't even use the "but it's Sodor" excuse, as the NWR was a (autonomous) part of the LMS. As you said, they could've had a merch field day being able to sell models with various headcodes.

[@mastertrams]

An interesting thing to note is that headcodes are still a very important feature in today's railways, only they are letters instead of lamps now.

[@DDAnimationStudios]

Actually, the top headlamp thing on Thomas in the Railway series always bugged me as a kid because I wasn't used to him having something like that.