Swivel headlamps were used on a few lines. The following from the Alberta Railroad Museum:
http://railway museum.ab,ca/files/pdfs/marker_2002.4_jul-aug.pdf

Article on Canadian National Railways, 1934-1936-
"The Continental, which was the name given to the transcontinental passenger train of the day, consisted usually of about eight cars hauled by a mountain-type (4-8-2) of the 6000 series.......At Jasper the 6054 and 6055 [coal burners] were replaced by oil burning engines with wooden pilots and swivel headlights, numbered 6057 and 6058."

I believe that such headlights were used on some other 'mountain' lines, but would not have been seen in the region of the Texas-Louisiana prison farms.

Some locomotives (Climax built one) had a small truck in front that could swivel, bearing the headlight in front.