Question & Answer Board

 Q4115 C&NW 'Line' Logo  Could you tell me when the Chicago and North Western 'Line' logo was used, rather than C&NW System or Railway logo? I am attempting to date (approximately), a mind reading game, supplied by the C&NW 'Line'. Thanks,   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, April 21, 2025 by D   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Link 1 has a very comprehensive history printed by the CNW in 1942 and first mentioning the "Line" brand around 1934. In a pic in the brochure, the "Line" logo is one of several RR logos on the front of a new diesel streamliner introduced in 1934 for the Overland Route. The CNW Line brand covered the integrated passenger services on both the CNW Co. and the Omaha Road (see Link2) which were affiliated but legally separate companies (until 1957.)  Link 1  Link 2  Posted Monday, April 21, 2025 by RJMc

A. And if you examine the game cards very carefully, you may find a printed form number or designation in fine print. Many railroad forms had such numbers and they often included a date code (see the brochures in Link 1 above, which have "34" as part of the form number. Posted Monday, April 21, 2025 by RJMc

 Q4114 1900s Uniform  Hello! I'm a historical researcher following the trail of the man in this photo. I was wondering if the uniform looks familiar to you? Do you think it's possible to identify the railway line he worked for? I hope you don't mind me asking. Any help you can provide would be very appreciated. The photo is undated, but he was born in 1888, so it was most likely taken between 1900 and 1920 (my guess is around 1912). He lived and worked all over the U.S., including in Nebraska, Illinois, Tennessee, Montana, Washington, North Dakota, California, and even in Alberta, Canada. Thank you,   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, April 15, 2025 by Will   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Hello. There would be a good chance to identify the railway if the resolution on the pic was just a little better, to allow reading the lettering on the hat badge which is ALMOST legible. The part which is readable, the number 3795 is almost certainly his employee number. Having the number on the hat badge, and a number that high, implies to me that he worked for a railway involved in local passenger traffic. That could have been a streetcar line, an interurban, or maybe a "steam railroad" commuter operation up to an including ones such as the Long Island RR or the Chicago (now) METRA operations If they can be made legible any lettering on the buttons and the coat lapels would be very instructive.  Posted Friday, April 18, 2025 by RJMc

 Q4113 New York Central 1879 Bohannon Lock  Can anyone please help me identify the key that will operate my New York Central RR Bohannon lock? I have had this lock in my collection for many years and have seen several other examples of this general purpose lock, but have never seen the matching key, either in photos or in key and lock reference books. Lock is stamped W. Bohannon Brooklyn N.Y. Pat. June 25 '79 116 on the front and NYCRR on the back. This is a steel heart-shaped lock which has a straight key way. I am told that the number 116 refers to the key cut. Hopefully there is a New York Central collector out there who has one of these with a functioning key who can help me. Thank you!   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, April 15, 2025 by Steve B   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. When I have worked on Bohannan locks in the past I note the small number on the shackle was used by Bohannan to reference the parts for this lock. In other words, if you were to open this lock you would likely find the individual parts marked as 116. There are many other Bohannan locks marked as 115, 86 and several other versions. The way I would research a key would be to search the websites for past auctions from railroad sellers. There is at least one site that goes back several years of quarterly auctions. I often search railroad questions or values using this vendor’s website. Additionally, there is another website which sells hundreds of keys. Same here find the site and look at NYC keys to see if there is one with a straight bit. Hope this helps.  Posted Thursday, April 17, 2025 by HE

A. A much simpler approach is to obtain a brass or bronze key blank which fits the lock and just "impression" it. Twisting the key against the stops in the lock will make initial marks on the blank, wherever an internal stop is preventing the key from turning. Repeating the twisting against the stops, and removing the marks gradually -- a Dremel tool works well for this -- will finally allow the key to turn against the levers to operate the lock, and produce a workable key often in a matter of minutes. Not exactly "authentic", but you will have a functioning lock. Almost any (harder and harder to find) "old head" locksmith can do this for you probably for a very nominal cost. The key blanks are fairly easy to find, again an "old head" locksmith shop is a place to start looking.  Posted Friday, April 18, 2025 by RJMc

A. Thanks very much fellas for your replies and your insight. Now I have a couple things to try in order to get this old lock operating. Have a great weekend!  Posted Friday, April 18, 2025 by Steve B.

A. The number 116 is the catalog (model) number for this lock, and does not indicate anything about the key cut. WB is still proudly in business and makes many of their historical catalogs available on their website (see Link.) The 1920 catalog shows that No. 116 referred to a "2 1/2" Heavy Spring Tumbler Galvanized Malleable Iron Lock, brass works, with chain and spring cover over key hole for R.R. use". One dozen of them sold for $15.00 in 1920 with one key per lock, and $17.75 per dozen with two keys per lock (12 locks, 24 keys!!). There are about 200 model numbers listed for padlocks in the 1920 catalog. Link 1  Posted Sunday, April 20, 2025 by RJMc

A. Thank you RJMc for your response too, I had no idea that this information and all these old catalogs existed on-line. Very informative and historical! Posted Monday, April 21, 2025 by Steve B.

 Q4112 CPR Lantern Info?  Just looking for more information on this fantastic new to me lantern. It is an Adlake No. 200 Kero. The patent dates range from 1908 to 1923. The spotlight appears to be very unique and I would like to know what this lantern was used for. It does have CPR for Canadian Pacific Railroad and Montreal stamped on the lid. Thanks in advance for your help!   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, April 1, 2025 by Ted W   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Thats actually a Hiram Piper brakemans lantern, which were licensed (by Adlake) for mfr. in Canada. The bullseye is a well known feature Piper added to many of its hand lanterns over the decades. It acts as a magnifier, a sort of flashlight, when some focus of light was needed.  Posted Thursday, April 3, 2025 by James

A. Absolutely what I was looking for. Thanks! Posted Thursday, April 3, 2025 by James

A. Absolutely what I was looking for. Thanks! Posted Friday, April 11, 2025 by James

 Q4111 Info on Erie Lock?  I’m wondering if anybody can identify this lock for me. It came from my father-in-law’s house and he worked for the locomotive engineers in Cleveland, Ohio for more than 50 years.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, April 1, 2025 by JF   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Just a general steel padlock, not RR issue Posted Wednesday, April 2, 2025 by DA

 Q4110 Armspear Lantern Question  I have two Armspear 1925 lanterns. Each of them takes a different sized fount. One of them has a Kirkman 250 fount which fits perfectly and also fits several of my other Adlake lanterns, so it seems a common size. The other Armspear lantern has a narrower well and the Kirkman 250 is too large in diameter to fit. It seems it would take a narrower fount in the other Armspear lantern, and I cannot find information or fount size for this lantern. Do you have any suggestions? Is there two different fount sizes for Armspear lanterns?  Posted Monday, March 10, 2025 by John G   Post a Reply  Email a reply

 Q4109 RR Lantern?  We acquired this recently, but we don't really know what it is. I can't find any writing, or identifying markings on it. It would have been stationary and is quite heavy. The lens is a bit scratched, so it clearly appears to have been exposed to the elements. We are torn between railroad, or ship. Thank-you for your time, and any thoughts would be appreciated.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, March 10, 2025 by Patty   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A.  See Prior Q3506: Piper Lamp Question for several pix and a lot of discussion of a very similar piece which was used as a container to protect a lighted hand lantern. The one in Q3506 was almost certainly associated with a lighthouse and the copper construction of yours causes me to strongly suspect that yours is nautically-related rather than railroad, but the info in Q3506 also documents similar pieces made for railroad use. As a detail, what function does the apparent slide lever protruding from the side seem to perform? Possibilities are color change or possibly blanking the light for blackout purposes....??  Posted Sunday, March 16, 2025 by RJMc

 Q4108 FM Builders Plate  I found this builders plate in my attic. I’m trying to connect the dots on where it would have been on a locomotive, what type , the route, is it unique to a specific engine, how many were on each engine, and if it’s still in use or displayed in a museum. It’s really cool and my son loves everything about locomotives. Any info would be greatly appreciated.  [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, March 10, 2025 by Ralph C   Post a Reply  Email a reply

 Q4107 Armspear Lantern  My husband has had this old lantern for many years. The very top is marked ARMSPEAR MAN'F'G CO NEW YORK; MADE UNDER PATENTS JULY 8 1925 AND NOV 30 86. On the next tier down are the initials H.J.R. We've been told that should indicate the railroad it was manufactured for, but no one has been able to identify it. Any ideas? Thanks for any help you can give,   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, March 10, 2025 by CC   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Greetings CC, just so you don't feel like you're being ignored, I'm letting you know that I have looked and looked to try to find the railroad that your beautiful old lantern was from. No luck so far, however if I ever do figure it out I'll post a reply. What State was this lantern purchased in? Chances are, this is a very rare lantern from an obscure old mining railroad, a logging railroad or a short line, and honestly that makes your lantern very rare and valuable. That's the good news, but the bad is that I can't seem to figure out the railroad name... Posted Monday, March 17, 2025 by Steve B.

A. Hello. The lantern companies (like most companies!) would cheerfully sell their products to anyone interested in buying them....So "HJR" may not BE a railroad. Lanterns were sold in cases by the dozen or maybe even by the gross (144!!) if anyone wanted that many, and for customers like that it was very easy for the manufacturer to add any requested stamped initials at no added cost. So that happened for types of buyers ranging from construction companies; city or private utilities such as power companies; ship lines; steel mills, oil refineries, etc. etc. It is best to look at the area where the lantern may have been used and sniff around for any kind of organization with the "HJR" initials in that area.  Posted Sunday, March 23, 2025 by RJMc

 Q4106 Lantern Info?  I found this old lantern in my father's box. He worked for CPR all his life, and I want to know the story about it.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, March 3, 2025 by CG   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Congratulations CG on owning this piece of railway history. It's doubly historic too being from your father. In Canada, kerosene lanterns and kerosene lamps on the railways were often manufactured under licence by The Hiram Piper Company, which had manufacturing plants in Toronto and Montreal. These pieces of hardware were designed by a company in the USA named Adams & Westlake "Adlake" which is an old company and was established in 1857. Adlake is one of the largest and most well known purveyors of railroad hardware. This is why you see the H.L Piper name on what is obviously an Adlake-marked lantern. The C.P.R specified that their lanterns would have a wooden bail (handle) to make them more comfortable to hold. This was unique to the C.P.R lanterns and was an extra expense. There were several variations of these short globe lanterns over the years (and this website will show you many of them, including a chart in the reference section which will show you all the variations of colored globes used by the C.P.R in these lanterns, and which ones were marked C.P.R either by etching or having the letters cast into the glass). Yours is one of the earlier versions, being the model #200. In Canada, these kerosene lanterns were provided to the railways into the mid 1970's and the later versions were model #400. After that the more modern (and safe) battery lantern became the norm, however the switch lamps that used kerosene lasted much longer into the early 1980's. I hope this helps you. Posted Wednesday, March 5, 2025 by Steve B.

A. Thank you for your answer. The lantern comes with a yellow globe. And there is 2 small hooks, one each side of the lantern. Can't see the purpose for those. Now I will have the true story of this rare lantern. Posted Wednesday, March 5, 2025 by CG

 Q4105 Dominion Tubular Lamp co /Syracuse Steam Gauge  I found this early bell bottom marked Dominion Tubular Lamp Co Montreal. I know this was a Syracuse Steam Gauge sister company in Canada. Just wondering if anyone else has anything similar? It’s marked on bottom underside in a soldered tag GTR & S. Can’t seem to find a railroad style lantern from this company; found in Syracuse NY   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, March 3, 2025 by JT   Post a Reply  Email a reply

 Q4104 Brass Tag Info?  I bought a lot of vintage railroad patches from an estate sale and this item was in with them. Item is brass made by the Brassworks in San Francisco - love this is like a train ticket but it's brass so no idea what this is. Any info on what this is and what timeframe it is from would be greatly appreciated.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, March 3, 2025 by MN   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Tag produced as part of a keychain? Likely 1970’s or 1980’s. Someone got hold of a Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge ticket from that road’s Tourist steam operations and used it to create the mold/stamp for these “curiosâ€� type objects. Who retailed it is the bigger question…the railroad gift shop or a chain of unrelated stores like a mall based denim or Western outfitters? Still just an aftermarket item either way. Should be labeled a “railfanâ€� item rather than either “railroadâ€� or “railroad relatedâ€�. Real railroads, like UP, do sometimes produce safety awards items that might have a reproduction or fantasy nick nack as part of the package…like a whistle attached to a watch. Those things are in fact real railroad issue items and become “vintageâ€� or “collectableâ€� as time passes. But they are fewer than the large number of railfan issue items. Posted Wednesday, March 5, 2025 by ShastaRoute

 Q4103 Fuel Pot Info?  Please help me identify the application of this fuel pot. It was gotten in a group of railroad lantern fuel pots. The dimensions are: 3 inches in diameter; from the bottom of the pot to the rolled flange about 1 inch; total height exclusive of the brass wick tube: 2 3/8 inches. There are pins that protrude from the sides of the part above the fuel reservoir so it's meant to twist into the base of something. I've checked both volumes of Lanterns That Lit Our World and cannot see anything similar.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, February 4, 2025 by Non   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. This looks like an early fuel pot from a Dietz Vesta lantern. Posted Sunday, February 9, 2025 by Steve B.

A. Diameter is 3". Too small for a Vesta. Posted Tuesday, February 11, 2025 by Non

A. I agree, there are several larger size fuel pots for the Vestas, however there were also over 13 variations since 1896. I have seen smaller examples like the one you have, which reportedly was from one of the Vesta variants. You may want to consider showing the pic of your fuel pot to Woody at W.C Kirkman Lanterns. He will almost certainly be able to identify it and help you out, and settle the question. His knowledge and expertise is as great as his excellent customer service. He was able to help me out several times when sourcing parts for some very old lanterns in my collection. You can reach him at Info@lanternnet.com. Good Luck! Posted Tuesday, February 11, 2025 by Steve B

A. Its a pot for the the Dietz Scout.  Posted Tuesday, March 11, 2025 by James

 Q4102 Lamp Identification Help?  I recently bought this switch lamp at a garage sale and would love to learn more about it. I’ve done some research but haven’t come across any photos with a similar top to mine. I believe it’s an ADLAKE model, based on the number 1264. The previous owner added a lamp and a label that reads 'B & O Switch Lantern.' Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much,   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, January 23, 2025 by Betsy   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Railroads would often have an abbreviation of their name cast INSIDE the base. On your pictures I can see only one side. Check the other three.  Posted Saturday, January 25, 2025 by Ex Sou Ry

A. To add to ExSouRy's suggestion, this does look like an Adlake lamp but if you can get your hands on "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Railroad Lighting, Vol. 2, The Railroad Signal Lamp" by Richard Barrett and Joseph Gross, you should be able to identify the maker and model and it is unlikely but not impossible they might show a B&O as an illustration. This is a very scarce book, so you may have to hunt to find a copy. (Link 1 is what you're looking for) There ARE other RR lamp books but Barrett is by far the best. RE: the B&O, if there isn't a railroad mark cast inside the base, or anything elsewhere on the lamp, you have to use the previous owner's label and realize this is good but can't be considered actual provenance because anyone could have stuck the label on and unfortunately no other written documentation has accompanied the lamp to detail its history. (What a good one though, it's in lovely condition - Congratulations !!!)  Link 1  Posted Friday, January 31, 2025 by JMS

 Q4101 Info on These Items?  I dug the ink bottle and the button from the same farm dump in ontario, Canada. We had a Grand Trunk station in this town (Collingwood). I estimate the age to be between 1900-1920. The ink has a ground lip. Says Grand Trunk R.y. system. The button I believe could be copper. Says Grand Trunk R. R. on the front, and Hicks & Sons London on the back. If anyone has any additional information, it would be appreciated.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Saturday, January 18, 2025 by KO   Post a Reply  Email a reply

 Q4100 Czech RR China Collection  I have a massive collection of china from - ÄŒSD Jídelní a lůžkové vozy (Czechoslovak. State Railways Dining and Sleeping Cars) About ten boxes of material… cups, plates, forks, knives, saucers… it goes on and on. My uncle brought it back in the early 1980s. It is an enormous amount that could outfit a huge restaurant. I am interested in knowing more about this. My wife wants to toss it all in the garbage but I figure there must be someone out there interested in such things. Seems pretty rare. Any info on the company and these pieces would be welcome.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Saturday, January 18, 2025 by Shane   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. I agree with you, at least give it a bit of an effort before just tossing it ! I can't tell how old it is (even if I could see the bottom markings) but these are little pieces of history. I found information about the railway on WIkipedia (Link 1). If you can do eBay, you could list a couple of pieces and hope for the best. There is a LOT of Czech china in the category: Collectibles:Kitchen & Home:Dinner & Serveware (Link 2) Use all English and put "railroad" in the title and any railroad collector should find it. On eBay, listing fewer than 250 items, is FREE. You pay nothing unless it sells (or find a friend who does sell on eBay), you'll have all the tools needed to sell, including making shipping labels. Do you use Facebook Marketplace - list some pieces there? (also free) Is an antique store convenient that you could ask either for possible information, or even to place there for sale or sell some to a dealer there? Is there possibly a European community in your area?At the very least (if your wife is threatening to throw you out into the lawn shed along with the china), see if there might be a local charity organization that would take it. (I was shocked at how many of these groups are selling on eBay !!) One reason some item is considered "rare" is because so very few are left because so many have been destroyed or "thrown out." GOOD LUCK - I do think it's worth a fishing trip, then if nothing comes of it,you can regroup with a clear conscience.  Link 1  Link 2  Posted Tuesday, January 21, 2025 by JMS

 Q4099 Railroad Tag?  I found this in a box of old plumbing parts at an estate sale. I’ve been told it’s a railroad tag. Do you believe it is?   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Saturday, January 11, 2025 by B   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Probably a hospital employee ID tag, not railroad.  Posted Sunday, January 12, 2025 by RJMc

A. I agree with RJMc, this is NOT a railroad relic, but I am going to GUESS that rather than an employee ID tag, it is some sort of a luggage tag. This place was world renowned and HUGE (see Link 1). I wonder if they didn't use tags like this for transporting patient luggage from train/bus stations to the hospital (like many hotels did) ? You might want to look at Tagtown (Link 2) for interesting information about this type of tag, along with some "railroad-RELATED" tag examples. Another possibility is it could perhaps be a "Fake" (the rather macabre name would be attractive to fakers because tags would sell readily) but where you found it seems to make that much less likely.  Link 1  Link 2  Posted Saturday, January 18, 2025 by JMS

A. This is the famous sanitarium run by Dr John Kellogg (Of Kellogg's Cereal" fame). I agree with JMS. Baggage coming into the local station might be tagged with "Sanitarium" bag checks to make sure the luggage was sent to the correct destination, and to keep it separate from luggage staying on the trains. Posted Monday, January 20, 2025 by DA

A. Well, on pondering the additional info from JMS and DA, and some further research, I wondered if the massive Sanitarium complex might have had its own railroad station and hence your tag might really be railroad. But apparently not; checking the comprehensive lists of all North American stations in 1896 and 1910 Official Guides of the Railways shows stations named "Sanitarium" in New Jersey and Ohio, but nowhere near Battle Creek, MI. which had separate depots on the Grand Trunk and Michigan Central. It is entirely possible as indicated by DA that the Sanitarium itself ran a system of luggage tags; one of articles indicates they had an entire fleet of horse-drawn omnicabs to transport patients to and from the railroad depots and a staff that one time numbered in the thousands. So there is still the tag might be some form of employee ID, or a baggage tag, but still not railroad.  Posted Monday, February 3, 2025 by RJMc

 Q4098 Date Range When Used?  I was at an estate sale and picked up some silver-plated items that all have the Florida East Coast Railway stamp on the side. Unfortunately, since it was for the dining care most of the stuff is banged up. Still in fair condition but definitely used. I'm trying to figure out when this would have been used (years). I appreciate any help you can give.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Friday, December 27, 2024 by Jeremy   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. International Silver date codes of numbers in a box (here 21) give this as 1921. Posted Saturday, January 4, 2025 by ShastaRoute

 Q4097 China Logo Info?  Haven't seen this logo before (T.R.R.). The B/S is from the 1930's indicates for export. Any ideas?   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, December 17, 2024 by Ex Sou Ry   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Many thanks to PEMI for coming through AGAIN! It’s either the Tela or Truxillo Railroad in Honduras, both of which were owned by the United Fruit Company, so that’s why the logo is pretty much the same as the company’s steamship china mark. Both date from the 1910s. Posted Saturday, December 21, 2024 by Ex Sou Ry

A. Very interesting. Someone had another piece with a “Lifesaver TRRâ€� logo on the old RWCN site years ago with a suspicion that it may have been used by the Tuckerton Railroad in some capacity. Regardless of the seemingly logical ties to the lifesaving elements for this route to the shoreline, nothing was firmly in support of a conclusion. (There were also PRR ties to this.) Good to see you have found some answers. These things can take decades to solve. Posted Saturday, January 4, 2025 by ShastaRoute

 Q4096 DL&W RR Lock Info?  I am looking for any info on a Fraim lock made for Delaware Lackawanna & Western that has a dual keyway. What was each key and what was the lock was used for? Thank you all for your knowledge.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, December 2, 2024 by M   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. What is the size of the lock? Any markings on the back side? Posted Tuesday, December 3, 2024 by RJMc

A. The lock is normal switch size of its time. There is nothing on the back. The shackle has DL&W on the front and 19 (Fraim Keystone halmark) 11 on the back Posted Wednesday, December 4, 2024 by M

A. Here are more images... Link 1  Posted Thursday, December 5, 2024 by M

A. Greetings M, Just letting you know that there are actually two versions of this lock with the double key way. The one you have, plus one other that takes the straight bit key on the left (as yours has) and what appears to be a cut on the right side for the DL&W switch key. Unfortunately, after going through all my key and lock books, I was only able to determine that these two variants exist, plus was shown the cuts of the keys. I was not able to determine the uses for each key (except the switch key). The straight-cut key and the "dog leg" cut key as yours uses could be a signal key and maintenance of way key possibly? Either way, these locks were made so that workmen from two different crafts on the railroad could access the lock simultaneously, leading me to believe they were used on the railroad during repair work. As there aren't very many other clues out there to determine what your lock is, may I suggest contacting someone at the Lackawanna Railroad historical Society. You can write them at: PO box 431, Avoca, NY 14809 or go to their website and send an email. Very likely someone who is a collector of locks who is part of that society may be able to help. Best of luck to you, from Steve B. Posted Tuesday, December 24, 2024 by Steve B.

A. Thank you Steve. I will comtact DL&W Historical Society and see what they know. Posted Thursday, December 26, 2024 by M

 Q4095 Shenango & Allegheny RR Lock  I obtained a lock near Albion PA that I believe is a Shenango And Allegheny Railroad (a forerunner to the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad) lock. Please look at the pictures and look at the keyhole opening. Can we anyone confirm the key opening as matching that of any Shenango And Allegheny Railroad keys? It's a 'straight opening,' and not curved like more modern railroad locks.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, November 21, 2024 by GH   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. The lettering stamped into the back of the shackle seems to say " C N o 15". A "C" on this kind of lock usually means "Car Lock" rather than an "S" for "Switch Lock" and having a specific individual number makes this use for the lock more likely -- and makes it far less likely to match other keys and locks. The very light wear on this lock is also consistent with use as a car lock. Switch locks were used by the tens and hundreds all up and down the railroad, with many or most operating employees having the matching key. But there were relatively very few car locks, all used by agents at stations and freight depots, used for shipment security with very few persons having keys, by design. This would be more conclusive if the shackle and lock body had an extra hole for a car seal wire to pass thru; but not all Car Locks had that feature.  Posted Monday, November 25, 2024 by RJMc

A. Thank you RJMc. I never knew that. That also answers a question about an A&GW RY lock I have. It has the extra hole you are talking about and it too has a straight key cut. I always wondered what that extra hole was for.  Posted Wednesday, November 27, 2024 by GH

A. All that said, I am still puzzled myself about how that system worked in practice. The agent at Albion, PA would supervise loading of a high value shipment, maybe as a carload or in a strongbox, and apply Lock No. 15. But what happened at the other end -- say Erie, PA? Was key No. 15 already there, as part of a whole set, or did key No. 15 somehow get sent there? And just the example of the A&GW presents greater complexity; the shipment might originate in the New York metro area and arrive in Cleveland,OH. It would not make sense to have the key travel with the shipment; too much temptation to those enroute. Often seal numbers and probably these car lock numbers were recorded in the shipment paperwork. The seal wire through the shackle provided evidence that the lock had not been opened enroute. Posted Thursday, November 28, 2024 by RJMc

 Q4094 St. Louis Car Company Seats  I'm trying to identify approximate years when this set of rail / trolley car was made and what type of rail vehicle it was in. I bought these seat supports a few years ago on ebay. Don't recall what the seller said about the history. I have read that Scarritt Car Seat Works made seats for St. Louis Car company. Thank you. Sincerely,   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, November 10, 2024 by JL   Post a Reply  Email a reply

 Q4093 Baldwin Locomotive Works Number Plate  I have a Baldwin Locomotive Works number plate. I hope someone could figure out the code on back. Thanks   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, November 10, 2024 by DHK   Post a Reply  Email a reply

 Q4092 Rayo 39 Question  I’ve acquired my third Rayo 39 in about three weeks, simply chance encounters. The most recent has a CNW Ry CNX cast globe, with a P & A burner. Frankenstein, or not? Of the others, one has a plain globe and Dietz Convex, the other has a cast '39' globe and a plain burner. What’s correct?  Posted Sunday, November 10, 2024 by JR   Post a Reply  Email a reply

 Q4091 RR Tag  I am seeking any information on the railroad associated with this tag. The tag identifies as being from the Troy and Buffalo RR. However, I cannot find any information on this road. The tag was purchased from an online auction. According to the seller it was found in Lake Erie near Buffalo along with several other tags from various other older railroads. I am familiar with the tagtown website and am certain this is a very old tag. Thank you.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, October 3, 2024 by HE   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Bill Edson's Railroad Names says a "Troy and BOSTON" existed from 1852 to 1887 before going into the Fitchburg and then Boston & Maine. But no Troy and Buffalo. Posted Friday, October 4, 2024 by RJMc

A. Only one of the photos posted. The front of the tag reads “ Troy and BUFo RR.â€� The other photo should post soon. Thank you. Posted Friday, October 4, 2024 by HE

A. Here's the other image. Link 1  Posted Friday, October 4, 2024 by HE

A. There are many places named Troy. For example there is Troy, Ontario, Canada, located near Hamilton, ON, near Lake Erie and much closer to Buffalo, NY than Troy, NY is. However still no record of a Troy and Buffalo RR. The link is to a very informative listing of Ontario railroads over time, but no Troy and Buf.  Link 1  Posted Tuesday, October 8, 2024 by RJMc

A. There are also "Troy"s in Michigan, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania, per Google maps but all those are a bit too far from Buffalo NY for there to be no information about what would have been a lengthy railroad. YES this tag is very old ! How I wish I had started collecting stock certificates - watching them now I see roads I never have heard about (and probably never will again). Much as I like Edson, his book isn't complete.  Posted Monday, October 14, 2024 by JMS

 Q4090 CPR Lock  Would anyone have any info on this lock please? History, maker? Thanks.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, October 3, 2024 by Ron   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Hi Ron, I could be wrong but I believe that these were made by Yale & Towne. It is a 5 or 6 lever lock, used as a general purpose lock or tool house lock on the Canadian Pacific Railway. This is an early version without the usual spring-actuated dust cover or "drop", and would normally have a length of chain attached to the clevis. These locks were not keyed alike making it tricky to find a key that matches, although most were master-keyed and the Foreman would carry a master key which would open all of them. Your lock likely dates from the 1940-1960 time period. These locks are difficult to find, even in Canada. Yours has nice stamp markings. I hope this helps you. Posted Thursday, October 10, 2024 by Steve B.

 Q4089 Item Info Needed  I purchased this item at recent railroad auction. Not sure what it is? Could please help me identify this item? Thank you very much.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, October 3, 2024 by MF   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. A very old baggage check. Looks dug. Northern Railroad (of New Hampshire) . There is a check just like your pictured on the link page. Link 1  Posted Friday, October 4, 2024 by DA

A. tool tag maybe?  Posted Monday, October 7, 2024 by Ex Sou Ry

A. There are other roads (Chateaugay Railroad for one) using this shape of tag, the shape is confirmed, it's for baggage/luggage not tools.  Posted Monday, October 14, 2024 by JMS

 Q4088 Unusual Marker Lamp  I am looking for information on a marker lamp purchased in an online auction. It has a design I had never seen before, and I am wondering if it is a railroad design or whether it had been modified by a collector. Is this a prototype that never went in to production? What would the illumination have been? Has anyone ever seen one of these? Lamp has 4 Corning 5 in. Spredlite lenses, 1 red / 3 clear, and 4 Corning roundels, 2 green / 2 yellow. It is obviously not a kerosene lamp, yet there is no hole anywhere in the lamp body for an electrical cord connector (Pic 1). In the base of the body where the fount normally sits there is a pair of spring guides riveted to the base (Pic 4). Their spacing is sized for an object 2 in. L x 4 in. W x in. H. There are also guides on the underside of the top cover (Pic 2) measuring 3.5 in. in diameter. The round top (Pic 6) has storage underneath for roundels when not in use (Pic 3). On the inside of the lamp body the 3 clear lenses have a semi-circular slot on the bottom of the lens opening to hold the roundels in place (Pic 5). The red lens has no such slot. In use it seems the roundels could have easily vibrated out of these shallow slots. The lamp doesn’t have a manufacturer's stamp anywhere, but the mounting bracket and locking mechanism look like Adlake (Pic 7). The wick adjuster and peephole window openings are blanked over. Thanks.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Saturday, September 14, 2024 by Joe   Post a Reply  Email a reply

 Q4087 Lamp ID?  I have had this lamp for several years and intended to use it for bushcrafting. It has an Adlake screw knob but no other markings. I think it may be railroad based on the Adlake knob. It didn’t have a globe when I got it. Any help/info would be appreciated Walter Riddle   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Saturday, September 14, 2024 by WR   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. What a terrific little lamp! But you must realize, Adlake made all kinds of lamp and lighting products and they were sold to any kind of customer; "Adlake" isn't a synonym for "railroad." Without actual railroad markings and no other provenance, there is no way to document it has any railroad history. I've never seen a lamp quite like this, but I would suggest that being copper it may have been made for use in a region or for a company located where there was more moisture in the atmosphere, such as along a seacoast or large lake or river or canal. I'm sorry to not be more helpful.  Posted Wednesday, September 18, 2024 by JMS

A. The copper construction noted above would also be more typical of shipboard use. The background objects in the pic make it a little difficult to tell which are parts of the lamp, but the shield which seems to be mounted to the lamp also may imply trying to protect a wall behind the lamp from the heat of the flame -- maybe the ship's cabin wall.  Posted Thursday, September 19, 2024 by RJMc

A. What appears in the pic to be a shield may actually be a reflector, maybe tarnished. The relatively small size suggests to me possibly a canal boat cabin light; see Link 1 for a very similar example (although not a cabin light). A very interesting side note: there are very old canal tunnels in the UK that take HOURS to get thru!! Illumination has always been essential in those. The fairly small round wick means total available light was reduced in favor of longer operating time. That suggested another entirely different use: see Link 2 for a coal miner's lamp. A web search turned up hundreds of these, most made of brass and many with the smaller type of wick, since long shifts underground would dictate a very long-burning lamp. Trying to service the lamp underground would not be not only very inconvenient but very hazardous. The brass construction not only helps to resist corrosion but helps to limit risk of static electric sparks which might detonate mine gas.  Link 1  Link 2  Posted Thursday, September 19, 2024 by RJMc

 Q4086 'Heritage' Kero Marking  I recently purchased what I believe is a 'Heritage' Kero lantern with a lid stamping of 'DGN&O'. This mark is not listed in either your Heritage or actual railroad use list. I was wondering if any of your viewers may recognize it. There is a Genesee & Wyoming shortline here in Texas named Dallas, Garland & Northeast, but their marking appears to be DG&NO. My lantern may be another line or maybe a stamping error? Anything that you can tell me would be greatly appreciated.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, September 2, 2024 by Jim   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. I wish I could give you a definite answer but I'm afraid this is just a supposition. I would suggest (but may be mistaken) this lantern is a new one, almost certainly made for a heritage road. I found a list of USA heritage lines on Wikipedia (Link 1) and maybe there is a heritage road not listed, but DGNO (the reporting mark of DG&NO) is a difficult mix of letters to find a name for, so Dallas, Garland & Northeast would be the strongest suspect. My best guess would be the stamping is a mis-mark/error : a "Friday Night Special" (hurrying to leave work) or a "Monday Morning Special" (too much of a weekend). Certainly there are other lines with mismarked lanterns. From an actual fallen flag railroad, I've seen a half dozen "Ruthland" marked lanterns, a misspelling error for "Rutland." I truly would suspect that if it really was made for the Dallas, Garland & Northeastern, the stamping error is the reason your lantern, in what looks like brand new condition, isn't with the road it was intended for. Wish I could be more helpful. You may have a sleeper that will gain value over the years if you want to keep it. You might also contact the railroad and ask (Link 2).  Link 1  Link 2  Posted Wednesday, September 4, 2024 by jms

 Q4085 Lamp ID?  Can someone assist me in identifying this railroad lamp? And years used? The only marking is G.R.S. Co   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, September 2, 2024 by Brian   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. The intials should be for General Railway Signal Company to begin with. Posted Thursday, September 5, 2024 by ShastaRoute

A. Hi Brian, your lamp is a Dressel train order signal lamp and if it’s marked for GRS, that’s General Railway Signal Co, a signal manufacturer. Can you send a photo of the opposite side with the bracket? Also, does it have a manufacturer tag on the inside? Thank you. [Send an image as an attachment to an email to this site, and we will post it - Web Editor] Posted Thursday, October 3, 2024 by TM

 Q4084 Large Portrait of a Conductor  I bought this very old large photo at a thrift store years ago knowing nothing about railroadiana. Was wondering if someone could make out the letters on his lapel pin. I don't see any other identification on him and there is nothing decipherable on the photo or frame to help with identification. Also does anyone know if these RR's keep any photos of conductors they employed and how would I go about seeing them if so? Thank you all for any help at all. I'd be elated to return this to any family left of his. The measurements of this, including cardboard it's attached to, is 12 in. x 15 in.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, September 2, 2024 by RG   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. A very interesting picture. The gentleman's lapel brass says "C B & Q" which stands for the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad, almost always known colloquially as "The Burlington" or "The Burlington Route" or just "The Q." The Burlington ran from Chicago west to Denver and northwest from there into Montana. What makes the picture interesting is that the buttons on the uniform don't seem to match for a regular CB&Q uniform where the buttons would also have said "CB&Q" or maybe "Burlington." The buttons in the pic seem to have several different patterns, none of which I can clearly make out. The Q did have extensive commuter service in the Chicago area; maybe some buttons might have gotten traded around, but generally the buttons and other brass matched for the railroad. As to photos, I don't think any railroad took any kind of systematic pictures of train crews until very recently -- up into the Amtrak era. Each railroad employed and qualified its own crews and there were no "licenses" until Federal regulations began to require them about 1980. Some larger RR facilities such as major shops did issue photo ID's to control entry onto the property, but they were not required for train crews. Posted Tuesday, September 3, 2024 by RJMc

A. Given the inconsistencies noted above, and the lack of any other ID, other possibilities include: maybe an actor in a play or movie, or in a museum. Railroad uniforms and hardware have been widely collected for years, and until fairly recently there were never any restrictions on selling or buying it, either brand new or used.  Posted Saturday, September 14, 2024 by RJMc

 Q4083 Adlake Switch Lamp?  Full cast aluminum body. Adlake marked. Early electric model? Has 1162 marked on it and 62 73. Cant find any data; hoping for an expert to help ID. May have been from steel mill. Midwest for sure. Had a block of wood in it. Thanks in advance.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, August 11, 2024 by Vincenzo   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. See prior Q's 2706 and 2989. Its almost certainly an Adlake Model 1162 lamp. The cast-in numbers are the mold numbers for the parts - not dates. This type of lamp was made over a very extended period of time, and they lasted forever, so is very hard to date. On some of the various models such as this one, whether the castings were made in cast iron or in aluminum was a buyer's option; the designs stayed the same. And just to avoid future surprises, if you mess with the electrical connection studs and nuts, be prepared for 1/4 inch x 24 threads....NOT 1/4 x 20 NC, and NOT 1/4 x 28 NF. The RR signal community stayed with the 1/4 x 24 thread including in places such as inside switch lamps -- and they are not happy trying to mate with either of the other threads. Posted Sunday, August 11, 2024 by RJMc

A. Great info RJMc. Thanks. Id love to see a catalog w this in it. Since Adlake made these type for years, its odd not to see any on the websites… I have redone this one faithfully to original except the bulb. The japanning was still great so I didnt need to paint it either. I will post some pics ..thanks again for your reply…Vinny Posted Sunday, August 18, 2024 by RJMc

A. Hi Vincenzo, regarding your question about your electrified switch lamp, here is an Adlake ad from 1952 advertising their lamp as being available in both 'cast or sheet metal, oil-lighted or electrically from line' (See pic). There was also a third option prior to this which is largely unknown and rarely discussed; which was the use of radioactive rods which gave illumination 24hrs a day without the need for any maintenance. This experimental and somewhat hazardous use of the radioactive rods only lasted for two years and was discontinued. I don't know what year Adlake began offering the electrified lamps, and it may have been prior to the use of this ad in 1952. I hope this helps you.  Link 1  Posted Monday, September 2, 2024 by Steve B.

 Q4082 Adlake Kero with Fresnel Lense  I have come across a couple of Adlake Kero Lamps with red fresnel lenses. Did Adams Westlake make Kero lamps with these lenses, or were these lamps pieced together by railroad workers (or collectors)? Thanks in advance for your response.  Posted Sunday, August 4, 2024 by John   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Fresnel lenses were commonly used for users such as grade crossing watchmen, where warning was the main function rather than providing light. They were an option for purchase with new lanterns. Put the word "Fresnel" in the word or phrase search box to see many earlier Q&A's about them.  Posted Wednesday, August 7, 2024 by RJMc

A. Hi John, to help you out further and if you are in fact actually referring to the hand lanterns as opposed to the switch and signal lamps that are "fixed" to something. As RJMc indicated there were options for railroads when ordering lanterns if they preferred the fresnel type globe. Some railroads (like the Southern Railway for example), specified that they wanted red fresnel globes for equipping in their cabooses for emergency signalling. A search of Southern railway lanterns will show you that a large majority (used for that purpose and with the red color) had fresnel globes. You'd then be able to determine when buying that type of lantern, that in all likelihood the fresnel globe in it was legit and not a replacement. In order to determine these things you need to look at several other known examples of the same type of lantern made for the same railroad and make comparisons. You can also look at databases on this site and others that lists known globe colors and types seen by collectors. You can also contact historical associations for different railroads and ask if they have a particular model of lantern in their collection inventory which has a fresnel globe. There are times when a globe becomes broken and someone might have a spare fresnel globe and insert that one into a lantern to increase the value for sale. When that is done it's kinda obvious as it will stand out as a one-off example, then you'll likely determine it's not authentic. Such cases are somewhat rare, but do happen occasionally. Some railroads (like the CNR) used both types of globes (standard and fresnel for their blue signal lanterns) so you should be aware that some examples can have either type of globe and still be considered authentic and not replacements. I hope this helps you. Posted Friday, August 9, 2024 by Steve B.

A. Before WW2 most railroads in the United States used “round styleâ€� lantern globes including the Southern Railway. That said, Steve B is correct in that Southern Railway did like and use Fresnel globes (mostly after WW2). Fresnel globes were sturdier, cast light further (safer) and were cheaper to buy. But there was no rule as to which style globe train crews were required to use for markers or for flagging. As late as the1970’s kerosine lanterns (with either style globe) could be found on the rear of Southern passenger trains and in lockers of well-stocked cabooses. I even remember seeing a “tall globeâ€� lantern in the road foreman’s office. This was probably just a keepsake as it disappeared about the time he retired.  Posted Wednesday, August 14, 2024 by Ex Sou Ry

 Q4081 Bookends?  I found these, I believe they are iron bookends or decorative brackets with Pullman and large letter P. If you have information about these, I would love to know. Thanks so much,   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, July 24, 2024 by Brian   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Looking at the shape, I suspect these are wedges probably used in a heavyweight Pullman car truck or maybe a draft gear assembly. The date code is for 1917 -- if my Roman numeral translation is correct -- which is definitely the Pullman heavyweight era. The use of iron says this was for a fairly high-wear application where the taper would keep pressure and the alignment of the mating parts despite wear on the mating surfaces, in some application such as a pedestal liner or a draft gear. They just happen to also work as bookends. The link is to a very interesting site where apparently ALL of the engineering drawings of the British Pullman Company are archived where you can see the complexity of all the parts and maybe see your parts depicted, although the British practices were somewhat different than North American. Link 1  Posted Sunday, July 28, 2024 by RJMc

 Q4080 Baggage Tag ID?  I found a RR baggage tag with my metal detector earlier this year. I am trying to find out what RR it is from. The initials are P. & N. B. R. R. made by J. Robbins Boston. I found it in Massachusetts near the old Nashua, Acton and Boston Railroad bed. I was also curious about its approximate age. Thank you for your time. Regards,   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, July 17, 2024 by Ron   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Sorry; quick runs thru all the "P" listings in Bill Edson's Railroad Names book (in both the "steam" and electric railroads" sections), and in Gross's "Trolley and Interurban Directory" "P" section provide no likely ID's for P&NB initials. Canadian RR's remain a possibility since only US RR's are covered in the Edson book. Posted Sunday, July 21, 2024 by RJMc

A. I hope this isn't too late to help you and you check back in. Go to the Tagtown website (Link 1) which is TREMENDOUS for dating old New England tags in particular. Your tag is VERY early. The specific John Robbins information (Link 2)shows one with the same mark dated pre-1860. The Tagtown site owner might be able to help you ID the P&NB. It seems strange that a Canadian railway would buy tags from a company this far away, but stranger things have happened. GUESSING on an American P&NB,and this is just a guess, start with the "NB" (since there would have been fewer places with those initials) in the Nashua NH / Boston MA area - like New Bedford (MA) or possibly New Brunswick (NJ)- and then try to find what would have worked for the "P" such as Portsmouth, Plymouth, Peterborough etc. which would not have been too far apart for a first half of the 1800s railroad line. Some of those old shorter lines never made it into the directories printed up for us today. (How I wish I had started collecting stock certificates to make up my own list !!!)  Link 1  Link 2  Posted Sunday, July 28, 2024 by JMS

A. Might be worth looking for anything with a “North Branchâ€� name considering those early roads often were in an extension process in a general direction. Posted Friday, September 6, 2024 by ShastaRoute

 Q4079 Headlamp ID?  I have owned this lamp for over 60 years. I think I bought it at an Ohio antique shop. Is it a railroad headlamp? And what vintage? Thank you in advance.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, July 17, 2024 by Bruce   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Just looking at the hook-type mounting bracket on the rear of the lamp causes me to suspect this was used on a horsecar, trolley or electric interurban line, probably between 1880 and 1910 or so. Essentially all of the headlights used on the cars in those services were hung on the front of the car with that hook engaging a metal strap. Since all but the horsecar lines were electrically powered, they went to electric headlights very early on as soon as robust bulbs became available. The headlights were often only put on the cars and night and taken off and stored during the day. Ohio was a hotbed of trolley and interurban activity; what part of the state do you think this came from?  Posted Saturday, July 20, 2024 by RJMc

A. Thanks for the help. Possibly I found it in Toledo but I have a vague memory of buying it in a shop along the Ohio River nea Gallipolis, which is diagonally across the state.  Posted Tuesday, July 23, 2024 by Bruce

A. Thanks for the help. Possibly I found it in Toledo but I have a vague memory of buying it in a shop along the Ohio River nea Gallipolis, which is diagonally across the state.  Posted Wednesday, July 24, 2024 by Bruce

 Q4078 Adlake Marker Light Question  I purchased an Adlake lamp. Atop the lantern are the words 'The Non Sweating Adlake Lamp Chicago'. On the rim of the lantern below the top are the letters C.T. Co. embossed in the metal. Further, the previous owner attached a paper note stating 'Conestoga Valley T. Co, Lancaster Co., Trolley Marker light'. The exterior of the lantern has a single 5 inch lens. Also it has two rotating brass switches on the exterior. Upon looking further I found that these switches are attached to one of two lens (red/green) inside the lantern. The switches will engage/disengage the respective lens to which it is attached. I am a fairly new to this, but I searched online and I cannot find a similar Adlake having these switches. It appears to me that it is some type of signal lantern with the switches enabling the user to quickly change the lens color. That is my guess and I may be completely incorrect. Are those two interior lens considered to be semaphore? Asking because I also searched online for this topic. The lamp is round, 13.5 inches tall and has a slide door to access the interior. The burner and font are present. I believe it may have some relationship, as stated on the note and the presence of the embossed C.T. Co, that it was used by the Conestoga Traction Co. Can you provide any additional information such as date manufactured? Any help is appreciated. Thanks,  Posted Wednesday, July 17, 2024 by Harlan   Post a Reply  Email a reply

 Q4077 ALCO Plate ID?  I’m a British collector of Railwayana. Recently I’ve acquired an ALCO Worksplate amongst other plates. I’ve been desperately trying to find out which locomotive this plate came from but to no avail. I would therefore be most grateful for any information about this plate. Sincerely,   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, July 17, 2024 by Richard   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Looks like NP #5118. Posted Tuesday, December 17, 2024 by Tracy

 Q4076 Segregated Restroom Plate  I just read your reporting on the cast iron fakes for directions to rest rooms on the B&O. I am suspicious because restroom is all one word, and there is no space between B&O and Railroad. Thanks,   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, July 17, 2024 by WTC   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. I misspoke on the word restroom. Here is two words but is spelled as one.  Posted Thursday, July 18, 2024 by Tim Weaver

A. I would be suspicious simply because it's cast iron. Has anyone ever seen one of these in cast iron before? (in any hobby collecting area) Just my observation though. White/colored signs are one of t-h-e most widespread fakes.  Link 1  Posted Saturday, July 20, 2024 by JMS

 Q4075 Unidentified RR Deopt - 1900s  I have an early 1900s real photo postcard showing an unidentified railroad depot, possibly located in the northeastern U.S. based on the location of the seller. Even after hours of reverse image searching and combing through various sites, I still have not been able to find a match for this specific depot. Is there any chance you could take a look at the photo and help me figure it out, or at least help narrow it down to a specific state/region? Thanks in advance. [Note: the top photo is the original image sent; the bottom is a digitally modified version to bring out detail.]   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, July 10, 2024 by Tyler   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. To get the discussion started, I think the first best clue is that the locomotive is NOT a cconventional engine with tender; looking closely at the connection between the rear of the engine and the first combine coach shows that the engine is of the Mason Bogie (or also called Mason Fairlie) type (see Link). It has a single long frame carrying both the boiler and the coal and water tank. These were of 2-4-4T or 2-6-4T types. This is a good clue because not many RR's had them. It is hard to tell from the pic whether the track is standard or narrow gage; being able to determine this would much further limit what RR is shown. It is clearly an early pic because both the station and the loco have oil lantern-type lighting, not electric. The loco has a straight exhaust stack, not balloon. The brick construction of the station itself, obviously planned to handle many people, and of the large industrial buildings in the background are further clues, but not distinctive enough so far to pull out a specific place. With the possibilities now narrowed down, further searching may turn up a definite answer.  Link 1  Posted Monday, July 15, 2024 by RJMc

A. Thank you for the information RJMc, I appreciate it! I was hoping someone would be able to provide info about the train itself to help narrow things down. Do you know of any useful online databases where I could find a list of stations utilizing narrow (and/or standard) gauge tracks during that time period? Posted Monday, July 15, 2024 by RJMc

A. NOTE: I presume the second prior reply is from Tyler, not RJMc. Another prominent clue in your pic is the switchstand target in the foreground. The white circle was not universal among RR's. An online search of photos turned up a similar one (See Link) which is reported there to be a style used by the New Haven RR. This is not an absolute indication; but it does strongly support a Northeastern US location for your pic. As to station lists, yes, the Official Guide to the Railways always had a section in the back listing ALL of the RR stations in North America. But this will be of little use in your search because there were thousands, and maybe tens of thousands of them listed in each edition of the Guide. And they are indexed by location name, not by RR name, and no gage reference is included. A more effective search technique is to search on a RR name and ask for "historical station images." To match your pic, first look for any that have large brick buildings in the background. I have been looking for a while, and have seen similar brick station architecture on Boston and Maine stations from the early 20th Century, but no matches to the surroundings. Link 1  Posted Tuesday, July 16, 2024 by RJMc

A. To confirm the info above about the List of Stations in the back of the "Official Guide of the Railways", I looked at a printed Guide from 1959 which I happened to have on hand. The List of Stations occupies about 240 pages covered on both sides with fine print; about 300 stations per page side, for a total of well over 70,000 stations showing only the city, town, or other location, the initials of the RR(s) serving it, and what schedule listing showed that place in the main entry for that RR. The list covers stations in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Central America. There are scanned copies of the Official Guides available for sale on the web; they are searchable and are very handy references about historical RR operations, but won't help much in identifying the mystery station in the pic. Posted Wednesday, July 17, 2024 by RJMc

A. Sorry about the name confusion, I think I put yours into the "Who" box because my sleep-deprived brain interpreted it as "Who are you replying to?" at the time. Oops... Anyway, thank you so much for the additional tips and information, I will dig further into New Haven RR research to see what I can find. Cheers! Posted Wednesday, July 17, 2024 by Tyler

A. Another possibly helpful clue may be the way the chimney is capped with square side openings. Having now looked at MANY depot pix, that configuration is NOT common. And many RR's used the same designs for almost all depot details, so any other pic we can find with that type of chimney is likely a very good clue to the RR in your pic. So far I have found one Lehigh Valley RR station with something similar, and one Lehigh and New England roundhouse with similar chimneys, but really nothing identical having now looked at pix from about 12 different RR's. Link 1  Posted Friday, July 19, 2024 by RJMc

 Q4074 RR Lamp?  Is this a RR Lamp? I have found no evidence of this lamp in my searches. It has the word Borden’s on it, and that is the only marking. Can you offer any information? Thank you,   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, July 10, 2024 by Kris   Post a Reply  Email a reply

 Q4073 Baron Lantern Globe Marking  We have an Baron lantern with a globe in it that is cast AHA&S near the top. Can anyone help ID it ? TIA.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, July 2, 2024 by JMS   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Hello. When you say a Baron lantern, I am assuming you refer to the company(ies) that Richard Barrett refers to as "The Barons of Ohio" in his Illustrated Encyclopedia of Railroad Lighting, Vol. 1. As described there, companies under the Baron name operated in Ohio beginning in 1875 into the early 20th Century. Studying the lettering on your globe makes me think the AHA&S is the ID for the globe manufacturer. Most lantern manufacturers did the metalworking, and purchased the globes from glassworks which in most cases were separate companies. I noted on close examination that the lettering on your globe seems to be A. H A&S. Looking at Ohio historical records of glassmakers, a good (but not perfect) fit seems to be the A. H. Heisey Co. of Newark, OH. The "&S" could be "and Sons"; Wikipedia says "The company was operated by Heisey and his sons until 1957, when the factory closed." The Heisey company specialized in fine glassware and colored glassware particularly; it also made automobile headlights and many other products. I have not confirmed whether they may have made railroad products, but those would fit well in its widely varied product lines. So, quite a bit of speculation, and others may well have additional views or info.  Link 1  Posted Saturday, July 6, 2024 by RJMc

A. RJMc, thank you for some truly introspective information. We have the Barrett book and were confident about the Baron lantern, but the glass mark threw us. We've never seen AHA&S before. I would think Heisey is a particularly good guess especially with the Ohio location, but there is an "extra" A -it's AHA&S, not AH&S. Based on their history it seems they could produce lantern globes but I would think they would be written up somewhere, and more common than the one we found in 40 years. We sold the lantern so at this point it's just fun to investigate and learn. Quite a while ago I did acquire several Heisey marked (the usual raised H within a diamond) glass inserts that fit several different railroad lines "supreme set" silver plated frames. They were the exact shape including the tall rim edges, of some of the supreme set glass inserts shown in the Maffett silver holloware service books. They fit the UPRR frame I have perfectly and they fit the frames of the fellows I sold them to.  Link 1  Posted Sunday, July 7, 2024 by JMS

 Q4072 MCRR Key Question  I have a question regarding the Michigan Central Key Marked MCRR on one side and ST Louis on the other. I already know that these keys have either the A&W Hex or Oval Logo dating from between 1898 and 1930 and that some keys have an 'S' on them indicating a switch key; also that the Wilson Bohannon bronze lock type #81 is used with this key. The Lock I have opened by this key is marked MCRR only. In Don Stewarts Key book there is an illustration of this key on page 49. My question is: what is the reason for the ST. LOUIS on the key, when the town of St. Louis, Michigan is 30 miles away from the Michigan Central right of way?   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, June 20, 2024 by LT   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. ST LOUIS appears in order to differentiate this key as Manufacturer's Connecting which ran in St Louis, from any other road using MCRR as a reporting mark. This was for the benefit of both the maker and the receiver, so that the wrong key was not sent to some other railroad than the St Louis one. Similarly, if a Brakeman was working for several different railroads, he would not confuse keys if he was on one MCRR from the other MCRR. It DOES NOT indicate that the key was made in St Louis, only intended for use there. Oddly, I've never seen a Monongahela Connecting key with a city or state name stamped on the reverse so that you don't try to use the key on the Michigan Central. I own a Mon Con key marked MCRR, with a totally different cut than the Michigan line and know it's Mon Con by way of where I found it. While some keys have travelled far distances from their original place of use, generally the fruit doesn't fall too far from the tree. I am pleased to solve this mystery for you, LT and others.  Posted Friday, June 21, 2024 by Non

 Q4071 MP&Ry Lock  What railway was this lock for? I'm guessing P & RY stands for Power and Railway. I can't come up with an ID in reference books nor online.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, June 20, 2024 by Non   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Joseph Gross's Trolley and Interurban Directory, in the very- helpfully-broken-out nationwide "initials" section, identifies MP&RY Co. as the Monongahela Power and Railway Company (local system) located in West Virginia. The main data in the WV state listing shows three apparently isolated local systems incorporated about 1921, all operating under the same name and initials, in Clarksburg, PA, and Fairmount and Parkersburg, WV. (I suspect the Clarksburg they mean is really the WV one....) All the systems apparently underwent a name change to the Monongahela West Penn Public Service Co. at different times. No further disposition is shown.  Posted Friday, June 21, 2024 by RJMc

 Q4070 Rail Photo Question  Small format. Removed from an album and pencil lettered 'Logging Camp'. (Then vacu-sealed in a plastic coffin.) Badly damaged. Undated. Found in Springfield Oregon where the nearest mountain logging/milling was Mohawk Valley/Marcola/Wendling. Appears to be high elevation terrain with vast completed lumber. Central building of unknown useage. No logs visible. Very different from typical shots. Any information that may help locate this operation is welcome, including any explanations of what we’re viewing and when. TIA   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, June 20, 2024 by ShastaRoute   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. This is certainly an intriguing photo. The remaining trees are huge, possibly redwoods (see Link) which may provide additional geographic info. As to the railroad I note in the center there are two very distinctly different track gauges; the narrower one apparently serving only the operations in the large building. I see no evidence of any motorized highway-type vehicles, and also no evidence of any kind of electrical power plant; no boiler house. But hydro power was widely available in the Pacific northwest of the US, and a Canadian location (or elsewhere in the world) should also be considered....The threat of fire was a huge issue for places like this; I don't see any fire suppression capabilities. The placement of poles almost suggests an electric railroad operation, although their placement is very sparse to be supporting any kind of trolley wire.  Link 1  Posted Friday, June 21, 2024 by RJMc

A. Good points. What’s really odd is things look like they are in the process of being loaded onto (spine, bunk ?) cars that might go out directly or to a reload point, but there’s no presence of a single human nor animal. And no power units, wagons, bicycles, canoes, or goat carts. Yet the whole place looks to be fully developed for long term workers…even patches seen through the trees. Could the building be a drying facility? Everything here is boards with no raw logs. And what’s with those vented? columns at the front of that central plant?? Posted Tuesday, June 25, 2024 by ShastaRoute

A. Right. I also noted the lack of any single person. Maybe they were all in church? Although no church is evident in the buildings. Also, for a picture of this apparently early period, the high angle of the view is unusual. Maybe taken from the top of a chimney, which would explain why we don't see a power plant in the pic.  Posted Tuesday, June 25, 2024 by RJMc

A. Ahh…a potential location of the missing locomotive, high up this side of the canyon directly underneath the character with the camera, possibly perched on the tender? Notice a track structure heads off to the left. Posted Tuesday, June 25, 2024 by ShastaRoute

A. And some laundry on a line in front of the house dead center with what may be the upper bodies and heads of two people further out front. Posted Tuesday, June 25, 2024 by ShastaRoute

A. The possibility of the large building being a drying facility is interesting. Note that the narrow gauge tracks seem to go right up to the front of the building but NOT into it. The framing across the front of the building looks like what is used for a theater stage or an airplane hanger, allowing the whole front of the building to be opened to let very large loads out. There are some vaguely similar structures when you search online for pictures of lumber drying buildings, but most of them have/had steam heat. I have been wondering if this is a photograph of a model, not a real location, but someone would have to have put most of a lifetime in creating the level of detail in the pic.  Posted Thursday, June 27, 2024 by RJMc

A. Pretty old thin photo paper torn from an ancient brown paper scrapbook. Well beyond the skills of even a top-notch scale model builder in an era probably before HO-gauge brought intense detail manufacturing. Larger scale modelers were often crafty, but this would challenge even Hollywood’s best talent and some of them were amazing. (I’ve been in a major studio several decades back and seen one of those huge hand-built dioramas. Mind boggling!) Posted Monday, July 1, 2024 by ShastaRoute

 Q4069 Button ID?  I work at an archaeology department identifying items and I can't find anything on the company behind this railroad uniform button. It's a little corroded, but much of the design is still visible. The only visible word is 'RAILROAD,' which hasn't helped much in narrowing down the button's maker. Any help in figuring out the origins of this button would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, June 20, 2024 by Abby S   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. There are two good RR button books by Don Van Court, one is Railroads and the other is Transit, uniform button identification. He is against cleaning buttons but from your pictures I'm going to say that if this was mine I indeed would try to GENTLY clean it. IMHO the condition is so bad it's worth the risk to try. The green tarnish is only going to worsen and keep on corroding unless it is stopped. Do not use anything harsh. If you can get brass wool (like steel wool but it is BRASS) it is very expensive but will NOT scratch. The big trick will be to make out what the letters are. It looks to me (GUESSING) like maybe Y&H or H&Y but there is definitely an & ampersand there. Best of luck, this one looks really interesting. Is there a maker name on the back.  Posted Sunday, June 23, 2024 by JMS

A. The lettering style on the button is VERY close to a historical Pittsburg and Lake Erie logo (see Link 1) which was first used in the 1880's but which they continued to use thru most of the 20th century. It is possible the button is from P&LE when the most flowery typestyle was in use. Some Atlantic Coast Line logos also had this general style of lettering. Link 1  Posted Tuesday, June 25, 2024 by RJMc

A. The Waterbury Button Co. was founded in Connecticut in 1812 and has been making all kinds of buttons ever since -- including railroad, military, fire dept., high school band, etc etc etc. (See Link 1 for just the railroad section). Check the back of your button; it could well be a Waterbury product. The Waterbury website has a huge number of excellent images of buttons past and present. They label the lettering style of your button "entangled" (most appropriate !!) and many samples in this style are shown. It can take hours to sort thru the vast selection all pictured on their website. If you want more of the same button, they can produce new ones for you. They may even retain the original tooling dies if they made your original, and stamping out more can be very economical meaning that collectors need to be very cautious about finding new-appearing "old" buttons.  Link 1  Posted Tuesday, June 25, 2024 by RJMc

A. This is a known button from the Louisville & Nashville. It is in Don VanCourt’s great book Uniform Transportation Buttons: Railroad. I hope this helps. If you are on Facebook, feel free to join the Railroad Button Collectors group that I manage. Cheers! Paul Hubbard Posted Wednesday, June 26, 2024 by Paul Hubbard

 Q4068 Lantern ID?  A friend recently gave me this lantern to decorate my train room where I am building a Lionel layout. I have a few other lanterns but I am by no means a collector nor am I knowledgeable about lantern history. I don't recognize the initials embossed on the lantern and would appreciate any information that anyone could share. Thanks in advance for your consideration and help.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, May 29, 2024 by Wayne   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. The "BR" may stand for "Burlington Route", a nickname for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy RR. I think I have seen other lanterns from the Q with this marking. Other opinions?  Posted Wednesday, May 29, 2024 by PK

A. I agree, it's almost positively certainly Burlington Route. I don't know about lanterns but a lot of tableware and silver dining ware is marked BR. Unless I am mistaken, the 4-46 on an Adlake Kero model should mean it was made in the fourth quarter of 1946. You can actually look up the patent dates online, they probably refer to some part or another of the lantern (not the complete lantern) Posted Saturday, June 1, 2024 by JMS

A. Here is really good information about the CB&Q (Link 1)  Link 1  Posted Saturday, June 1, 2024 by JMS

A. Thanks for information. I appreciate your help.  Posted Sunday, June 9, 2024 by Wayne

 Q4066 Lantern info?  I would love to know the age and history of this lantern I just purchased. I can't find one with the red as a circle in my searches.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, May 21, 2024 by KW   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Congratulations on owning this beautiful lantern! Your lantern was made by E.T Wright, a Canadian manufacturer of lanterns which was in operation until 1933. Judging by the early patent date of your lantern, I would suggest that it was made in the early 1900's for the Canadian Northern Railway, a railway which existed until being merged into the Canadian National in 1923. This early example you have has an additional feature mounted on the frame known as a "bullseye" which was used for signalling. The bullseye on your lantern features a convex fresnel lens which magnifies the signal a greater distance, which in your case would be the red signal for "stop". It is very rare to find a Canadian lantern with a bullseye and often lanterns which had them often have the bullseye missing or broken. The clear cast globe was used to be able to see at night while walking the track, while the bullseye would provide a signal to stop. Your lantern is a complete and early rare example which is highly desirable by lantern collectors and is approximately 101-116 years old. Posted Friday, May 24, 2024 by Steve B

A. As indicated by Steve B, lanterns like this were provided to trackwalkers (track inspectors) in the days before every employee carried a two-way radio and it could be miles between lineside telephone boxes (and telegraph was often in use, anyway). And even warning a dispatcher might do little good since the locomotives didn't have radios, either. In mountainous territory particularly, things such as rock slides and broken rails could -- and did -- happen at any time and the track walker needed a way to stop an oncoming train short of any newly-discovered problem with the track or a tunnel. Fusees and torpedoes work for this function but since fusees only last a relatively few minutes, the trackworker would have to carry a lot of them. Times have really changed since then....the inspection and warning methods have changed, but many of the hazards have not. Posted Friday, May 24, 2024 by RJMc

 Q4065 RR Lantern Question  I do collect railroad lanterns but I don't consider myself an expert by any means. I pulled out one I had packed away and for some reason it just struck me as looking weird. There are no railroad identification marks and it is a Dietz. It look like one that you had a similar picture of saying unusual and an Adlake. I was just looking to see if this was something that was broken or if this is the way it is supposed to be. Thank you   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, May 12, 2024 by R   Post a Reply  Email a reply