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George,
The use of class lights is related to the operating rules in use. The adoption of the General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR) which replaced the Uniform Code of Operating Rules eliminated the use of class lights. I believe that this occurred on the MP in 1985. I remember taking the test, but I do not remember the month. I have train orders dated in 1985, so I would say that it was late in the year. Train orders were another tradition that went out the window with GCOR.
Even though they were no longer used after the effective date of the new rules, class lights were not immediately removed or painted over. My best guess is that it was well into 1986 and possibly later before there was any effort to “eradicate” class lights. They still had value as a marker light (red), in cases where there was a locomotive on the end of a train (pusher, etc.). That issue was resolved with the change in the rules that allowed a headlight on low to be used as a marker. I would have to research my old rule books to see when that happened. I always applauded Conrail for keeping red markers on their locomotives. As an operating employee, I have never been a fan of using the headlight for a marker.
In closing, I would like to address your comment about extras. Most freight trains were run as extras, but not all. The FFT (Ford Fast) and CSP (Chicago- St. Louis-Pueblo) were first class trains for a period of time in the early ’80s. As you pointed out, extras were required to display white class lights. Regular trains did not do this. In my time on the MP (1978 forward), we never used flags. And, I seldom, if ever, saw a train displaying green class lights to indicate a following section.
