At this point – no, there are no plans to equip 5550 with ditch lights. FRA regulations for steam locomotives have no specific requirement for ditch lights:
§ 230.86 Required illumination.
Basic Version
a) General provisions. Each steam locomotive used between sunset and sunrise shall be equipped with an operable headlight that provides illumination sufficient for a steam locomotive engineer in the cab to see, in a clear atmosphere, a dark object as large as a man of average size standing at least 800 feet ahead and in front of such headlight. If a steam locomotive is regularly required to run backward for any portion of its trip other than to pick up a detached portion of its train or to make terminal movements, it shall also be equipped on its rear end with an operable headlight that is capable of providing the illumination described in this paragraph (a).
b) Dimming device. Such headlights shall be provided with a device whereby the light from same may be diminished in yards and at stations or when meeting trains.
c) Where multiple locomotives utilized. When two or more locomotives are used in the same train, the leading locomotive only will be required to display a headlight.
But since we’re new construction replicating a historic piece, not an *actual* historic piece, we may be in a grey area. From our initial conversations with the FRA, we got the impression that they don’t differentiate between old and new steam locomotives. However, we’ll need to confirm this with both the FRA and host railroad before the locomotive enters service.