Please somebody correct me if I am wrong, I think in Switzerland the locos run with a white taillight, but in case they get out of the country they can switch to the "European" red taillight...

And the ABV button simply disables the delayed acceleration and braking, making it easier to control the loco while in shunting operations (since it runs at the speed set with the dial, instead of still accelerating while you already turned the knob back down...

Regards,
Arthur

Not exactly. In the past, SBB locos/used to have one single red rear light whereas new BLS locos, like the Re465/Re485, etc. show two. In the meantime, the SSB have as well "aligned" their specification and turn both red rear lights on; this applies in particular to push-pull trains and there to both, locos as well as steering cars.

A good overview on Swiss train signalisation can be found on Bruno Lämmli's webpage (http://www.lokifahrer.ch/Signale/Zugsignale.htm).

The usefulness of two red rear lights can for example be seen here: one of the two red rear lights of this ICE3 was defective; but the train was still allowed to continue traveling with only one light on (exception case).




That's for example the reason why the "Eurolok" BR189 (see Märklin #3989x) can show up to 14(!) different front/rear signals. In order to make it easier for the loco driver, the corresponding light configuration will be selected by the so called "country button".

Hello All. Many thanks for the replies about the lights it all makes sense know and is very interesting.

Charles.

Yes, indeed one of Märklin's best!