Yeah... lighting is weird and inconsistent. Some locos like my BNSF SD70ACe from vol, 2 won't shine light down the track or anywhere else for that matter in position 1 and merely throws a little light barely a couple feet in front and to the sides in position 2 from the stair step and ditch lights only.
There are also no direct beams from this or any other sim I know of. What I mean is .....as it's coming towards you around a curb while your camera is at track side or free roam, you don't see beams blinding you or with any star filter/ lens flare effect to kinda simulate it. It's odd seeing the headlight beam on the ground and to the sides on objects, but no direct beam from the headlight itself. Even the desert dust in the air of say a route like Cajon Pass at night would be perfect for showing the beam in the air as it reflects off the particles of sand or dirt floating airborne in it.
Considering much larger problems still exist, I don't see this being a priority of theirs for quite awhile.
That's my opinionated guess anyways,
