Headlights
 

Is it essential for trains to arrive into stations with there full beam headlights on to blind passengers getting on?

Unless you are getting on through the drivers window how can you be blinded. If a train is moving onto the platform passengers should be behind the yellow line and not movings towards the train and you won't get blinded.

IMO I think the driver lights are very poor particuarly on the 22's, now I havn't being in the cab when its dark but they don't seem that bright at all compared to the 201's which have a better central location.

wherever you'd stand on a platform the lights from the front of the train are blinding, particulary now that autumn and winter will soon be upon us with dark mornings and evenings.

Would rather the driver can see where the train is going

Can the lights be dipped?

And do drivers get any guidance on this when a road is next to a railway line?

There's one stretch of road near Blarney where the train will dazzle you for 30 seconds if it's coming towards you.

Is that not really the responsibility of the NTA or local authority to provide cover along the roadside??

As Mark says, I'd rather that the train driver can see where he is going and whether the line ahead is clear.

In a train station?

I've often seen DART drivers dip their headlights as they enter the station.

when approaching a train station - (not on a main line of course) to stop the headlights should be dipped, would it not be a bit of common curtosy?

they do dip the lights coming into stations if they are stopping, well down here they do with the intercity trains. not sure how the commuter/dart gets on.

they also use the full beams on the luas out past belgard to saggart.

From my experience at Edgeworthstown, it does appear to depend on the driver. Most do dip lights, some don't. In a well-lit station, he could probably see a bit better without the head-light. But, I wouldn't say is a big deal - just don't stare at the light.

Agree with you James, it's something that won't be top of drivers minds and rightly so. It's like driving, how often do people have to flash others to dim lights. I still don't see an issue either way.