Question & Answer Board

 Q2272 Key Info Needed  Hello, An acquaintance who sells on eBay (coins and collectables) sent me these JPEGS of a couple of switch keys to confirm their authenticity. I recently purchased some vintage SP paper from the man--all legit stuff--but he doesn't sell a lot of railroad items and while both of these keys appear to be real, the 'COGWRR' key has me stumped. I can't find a match on your website and when I saw the CO&G fakes there, my curiosity was really piqued. Now I'm wondering if this dealer got duped--and I'd like to know more before pursuing these keys myself. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, January 26, 2012 by TB   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. The SPCO key is legit. It is a SLAYMAKER. The other key is a FRAIM blank which has been stamped well after it was made. The lettering is not correct for FRAIM so it's a fake. Posted Saturday, January 28, 2012 by lock historian

A. I have no knowledge of SP keys, that said check out Q43 and Q1754 in the Archives.  Posted Sunday, January 29, 2012 by KM

 Q2271 Lantern Use?  I have also attached a photo of a truly unusual Dietz Vesta railroad lantern I picked up years ago in Quakertown, PA. The lantern shade is marked Boston & Maine, and the last patent date stamped on the shade is 9-1-29. I am not sure what its function was, but the bail suggests the lantern may have been used as a warning light on rural non-electrified grade crossing. I would appreciate any insights you may have on this lantern's intended use.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Saturday, January 21, 2012 by BW   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Enter 2000 in the "By Question Number" search box for info on a similarly-shielded electric hand lamp; probably also set up for grade crossing warning service. Several major lantern manufacturers offered the 'blinders' as an option for just that purpose. Posted Sunday, January 22, 2012 by RJMc

 Q2270 Tools Info Needed  I am an antique wrench collector. I have some railroad artifacts that I need help with. I have two adjustable wrenches from the 19th c. One is an early 14-inch wooden-handled Walworth Stillson wrench with the logo 'V & M' inscribed in a lozenge stamped on it. The other is a 12-inch, six-sided, metal-handled Meadville wrench with the logo 'P-S' inscribed in a keystone stamped on it. I have attached pictures of these. I believe the logos are for the Vermont & Massachusetts railroad and the Pennsylvania System. I believe, as an experienced wrench collector, wrenches with these logos may be uncommon. Your insights on the accuracy of my identifications would be appreciated, particularly if I am in error on one or both of them.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Saturday, January 21, 2012 by BW   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Just because there is an "&" in a name doesn't make it a railroad artifact. It could be from a company that used that brand of wrenches or a tool supply house. Normally railroad artifacts have a RR at the end of the abbreviation for the initials. P-S is the rare case where the logo IS for a railroad and they marked numerous tools and lanterns. I would not confirm your belief that these are uncommon artifacts. I have seen many, many railroad-marked wrenches. The best source I know of for railroad wrench knowledge is John Mowrer of Hanover, PA. You will find he has a published number.  Posted Saturday, January 21, 2012 by lock historian

A. I have been told that early model diesel locomotives, in particular, were equipped with tool kits including smooth-jawed 'Monkey wrenches' such as the one here so that crews could fix them to get them over the road. They were just a little too big and too heavy to be reasonable to expect the crews to bring them back and forth to work on every trip. They were also probably used to maintain things like track speeder motorcars. They had to be marked for RR company ownership to keep them from disappearing off the property and/or to get them back later. There were a LOT of early diesel locomotives on a lot of RR's; I have or have seen similar wrenches marked for Reading RR, WM, PRR, B&O, ATSF and others.  Posted Sunday, January 22, 2012 by RJMc

A.  The all metal wrench pictured here is a very close design to the one I reference in the fifth answer to Q2122. That wrench was marked "BN". As RJMc states it was too big to carry around with you and I found it on a diesel engine. The one pictured here looks railroad to me. In Q2122 I also mention the need to mark RR property and the disregard competing railroads had for each others' property ! The one with the wood handle is pretty much a standard plumber's wrench isn't it? ..and railroads, considering they fixed everything they owned themselves, had a few of those around too. BW, please share with us how you arrived at a c. 1800s date on these pieces. I would have guessed them to be from the 1930s or '40s. ...Red Beard  Posted Sunday, January 22, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

 Q2269 Clinker?  Can anyone tell me what is the name was this tool? When it was given to me I was told it was a 'Clinker' to break up coal in the firebox. But I watched a old black & white movie named Iron Horse from 1924 and in the movie while they sing the song, Drill ye Tarriers Drill they had what appeared to be one of these in the workers' hands. But mine is broken off , but the spear shaped head is still there. Any help?? Thanks   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Saturday, January 21, 2012 by MG   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Tarriers were Irish railroad workers that ussually were involved in tunnel boring. They drilled the holes for blasting and moved the rock. This tool looks like it may have been used to pry the rocks apart after they had cracked from the blast. It was probably about five feet long before the handle broke on it. Clinkers are large lumps of partially burned coal that develop in a fire box when there is incomplete burning. Instaed of fine ash you get a cement like lump which does not allow air through and that can cause very poor steam capacity. Tools that are used for breaking up clinkers look more like a rake with two or more pointed prongs that are bent at a right angle to the handle. The rake tool can also be used to break up frozen coal in the temder in the Winter. The link is for a You Tube video of "Drill Ye Tarriers,Drill" performed by Trip McCool,it has lots of old photos of railroads, tunnel building, track gangs and more. It is about 5 minutes long and includes 4 or 5 verses. Link 1  Posted Saturday, January 21, 2012 by KM

A. Towards the end of the video there are photos of Casey Jones in the cab of his engine and the locomotive after the wreck.  Posted Saturday, January 21, 2012 by KM

A. The link is for a good article on clinkers in locomotive fire boxes. It explains that there are two types, soft and hard clinker. Link 1  Posted Saturday, January 21, 2012 by KM

A. Thank You Very much, Sir Posted Sunday, January 22, 2012 by mg

A. KM, thanks for that second link you posted for the Newfoundland Ry. That's a very interesting page he has put together; 3.5 ft. narrow gauge stuff ..I suggest people look at it and the photos. ..Red Beard Posted Sunday, January 22, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

 Q2268 Restoration Part Sources  This board regularly get requests for parts sources for lamp and lantern restoration projects, and I tend not to post these because of our policy against 'want/buy/sell' ads. However, the page that we have on this site for parts [see link] may be out of date since it was put together years ago. So... I thought this might be a nice opportunity to invite all of you to suggest parts sources for things like lenses, globes, bails, and anything else that you might think of for restoring railroadiana. Give as much contact info as you want, including addresses, URLS, etc. Then we can refer people back to this question. Thanks, everyone!  Posted Wednesday, January 18, 2012 by Web Editor  Link 1     Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Dan Edminster at The Lampworks in Hurleyville, NY has many burners chimneys and other parts for oil fired lamps. http://www.thelampworks.com/index.html His website has a large amount of information posted about lamp manufacturers and glass companies.  Posted Wednesday, January 18, 2012 by KM

 Q2267 Burlington Lock  I was wondering if you could give me some information about the lock I have come across. I have been looking and can't find anything about it. The lock is marked Detroit Brass Works and the key is marked Burlington Route. Pat April 1867. Comes with original chain and key. Key is marked Burlington route on one side and x66 on the other. Lock measures 6 inches long total. Thanks.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, January 18, 2012 by Jim   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. I believe that this lock and key are 2 separate items. The lock itself isn't RR issue. Certainly not Burlington Route, as that nameform came along decades after the lock was made. These locks do turn up now and then with RR markings, most commonly from the Michigan Central. I've never seen one marked CB&Q. I guess it just happened that the key opened the lock so somebody put them together. Posted Wednesday, January 18, 2012 by DA

A. Does anybody have any idea what the lock would have been used for. Posted Wednesday, January 18, 2012 by jm

 Q2266 Headlight  I am trying to get some information and history on this locomotive headlight for my grandfather. I want to eventually restore it for him. My grandfather has had it for so long that he doesn't remember much about it. It doesn't have any patent dates, brands, or manufacturer markings. It appears to be a kerosene lamp. Thanks,   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, January 18, 2012 by Daniel   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. It will be very hard to authenticate or identify this lamp. Headlights like this were used on other things like steam traction engines and some boats. There were quite a few manufacturers, with hundreds of models and sizes offered. Many of them, yours included, have no information displayed on them. See Q2208, 2123, 2076, and 1432 in the Archives. There may be a few more examples in the Archives that my search didn't turn up. It appears to have no burner, but it may be possible to get one that fits. Try contacting Dan Edminster at The Lampworks for parts. The link is for his homepage. Some manufacturers used a decal or screen printing on the original paint job. When the lamp got repainted they usually just painted over that. Take a good bright flaslight and shine the beam across the surface and you may be ablt to see an outline of that.  Link 1  Posted Wednesday, January 18, 2012 by KM

A. I suspect it is an acetylene-fueled lamp rather than kerosene. It would have received the acetylene gas via a tube from a remote gas generator, and the small valve under the burner could be operated from the small door in the side to adjust the flame height. There was probably a tube up into the bottom of the lamp to carry the acetylene. It would have also had a chimney around the burner. See the Links for examples that look a lot like your lamp. Acetylene lamps were actually quite widely used on automobiles, trucks, and even motorcycles before electric lighting systems were universally adopted. Locomotives were among the first of the applications converted or purchased with electric lights because the locomotive was big enough, expensive enough, and had enough lighting applications (cab lights, etc.)and had enough excess available power capacity to justify the expense of an electric generator and wiring. That change occurred on RR's `probably no later than 1910 or so although that transition, like many in railroading, was stretched out over many years (decades) as each separate RR would decide what to do with its own equipment.  Link 1  Link 2  Posted Wednesday, January 18, 2012 by RJMc

A. Hi, it looks a little small for a locomotive headlamp but not impossible, on my screen I can see the Moehring patent burner, the fuel filler cap and wick raiser, so I believe it is a kerosene lamp, you are missing the glass chimney that is held in place by the clip above the reflector. Moehring burners were available with either a flat wick or tubular central draft type wick. With the correct wick and chimney and a fuel font that doesn't leak I don't see any big problems restoring it to working condition, the glass chimney might be the most difficult part to find. K.M. is correct about the applications, these were a basic standard design made by many manufacturers and used on anything from steam tractors to trolley cars. Dan Edminster is a good source to start with, Good advice K.M. Best of luck, W.M. Posted Friday, January 20, 2012 by W.M.

 Q2265 Silver Logo ID Needed  I own a large piece of silver with an engraving that looks as if it could be some sort of early railway (or possibly port) signal. The engraving suggests railroad cross ties at the base of a pole much like a telegraph pole with what appear to be horizontal iron climbing spikes. There is a heavy cross member projecting from the pole on which there is a flaming iron kettle. A second pole with more climbing spikes leans up against the projecting timber. Is there any history of use of open lard or whale oil flares as signals for trains at night in the earliest days of railroads? This would certainly be a cumbersome method of signaling that would require at attendant but the flame would be visible for a great distance. It could also represent some sort of harbor light, I suppose, but I haven't been able to find reference to anything like it in research online. The possibility of a rail signal occurred to me because of the designer of this silver who was John Polhamus. He made silver that was retailed by Tiffany before Tiffany began making their own patterns. In this period (about 1865), Tiffany manufactured an enormous set of silver for presentation to one of the engineers of the Union Pacific railway. John Polhamus designed the flatware. Some of that silver is now owned by the Nebraska State Historical Society. A tray that was part of that presentation set (but is now missing) is said to have been engraved with railroad scenes. Many thanks in advance for your help.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, January 18, 2012 by John   Post a Reply  Email a reply

 Q2264 What is This?  I think this may be a headlight cover, for a train engine. It is about 10 in. in diameter and 3 in. deep. The center, clear portion is domed on the outside, which acts somewhat like a magnifying glass. The outer portion is painted white, on the outside. It is very thick glass. We found this on on our property, which formerly belonged to a railroad collector, which is why I suspect its use.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, January 16, 2012 by KH   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. My first guess is this is a 'day target' and lens from a switch lamp, not a locomotive. See Enter 1939 in the "By Question Number' search box to see a pic of a complete switch lamp. It might also be from another type of wayside signal but it is hard to tell without seeing the back side.  Posted Monday, January 16, 2012 by RJMc

A. Thanks for the quick reply. It doesn't really look like the glass in the lamp, to which you referred me. This one has straight sides, with the inside depth being about 2". I have more pictures, including a ruler for perspective. Since sending the email, I've located another, smaller version of the same thing. The white portion, of the second one, is only about 1/2" around the outside of the larger domed area. I've since taken them outside, at night, and shown a light through them. By varying the distance between the light source and the "globe", I found the center portion appears to focus the light into somewhat of a spotlight fashion. Posted Monday, January 16, 2012 by KH

A. Another possibility might be a light fixture for a passenger car. Again, we need to see how it would be mounted on the back side to try to get more specific. Posted Monday, January 16, 2012 by RJMc

 Q2263 Age of Button  First of all I checked out your site it is very interesting. I am not looking for an appraisal I am looking for any info on this button I found. I normally find civil war buttons at this site so when I found this one I was excited since it is my first railroad button. If you know anything about dating this button I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, January 16, 2012 by John K.   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Gross's Trolley and Interurban Directory shows "New Orleans Ry. Co." from 1902 to 1905. Because the info in that directory is very condensed, it is very likely the "Railways Co." shown on your button. This is further confirmed by a New York Times historical entry found by searching the Ry's Co. name on the web; that 1902 article describes how the 'Ry's Co.' is being greatly expanded by a merger of most or all of the existing street railways in greater New Orleans at that time. After 1905, until 1922 the company formally was the N.O. Ry(s?) and Light Co., so its possible the uniform buttons may not have been changed just to add the 'Light'part, which referred to supplying electricity to the public, not transportation. (No guarantees about that part; over 17 years they may have changed the buttons.....) So its fair to say maybe as early as 1902 or as late as 1922.  Posted Monday, January 16, 2012 by RJMc

A. Here's an attempt to link to the historical NY Times article. Sometimes the linking process can be very tricky, so it may not work.  Link 1  Posted Monday, January 16, 2012 by RJMc

A. Waterbury Button Company offers two repro buttons for N O Railways Company and NO RY and Light Co. Link 1 shows their button which is very similar to yours and Link 2 shows the N O RY and Lt Co. button.  Link 1  Link 2  Posted Wednesday, January 18, 2012 by KM

 Q2262 WPT Lantern  Hello. I was hoping you could help me with the identification of a lantern. The markings are W.P.T. Ry. The owner states that this is a traction lantern and stands for West Penn Traction Railway. I believe it stands for Wabash Pittsburgh Terminal Railway. Can you provide your expert opinion? Thank you very much.  Posted Monday, January 16, 2012 by Ray   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. I have seen two W.P.T. Ry. lanterns -- a 'Reliable' and an A&W '1895 patent' model. I believe these are from the Wabash Pittsburgh Terminal Ry. Posted Monday, January 16, 2012 by PK

 Q2261 Lamp Info Needed  I recently purchased what we think is a railroad oil / kerosene lamp from an antique dealer in SE Asia. I normally collect ship’s lamps and don’t have a great deal of knowledge with respect to railroad lamps. The stamp on the lamp reads 'Nettlefold & Sons High Holborn 1898'. I searched on the internet and see was a industrialist and entrepreneur who started a hardware store on High Holborn street in London in 1823 and from there went into other manufacturing. Do you have any information on any lamps they may have made or sold, or how I can get any additional information (I can’t find any reference to 'lamps' with respect to his company. It’s quite extraordinary – even has beveled glass and outside control for wick, top handle, etc. and quite heavy.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Saturday, January 14, 2012 by FH   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Try posting this question at The International Guild of Lamp Researchers website.They have a Q&A which has some very experienced folks from Great Britain that contribute frequently. A search in the Lampguild's Q&A Archives turns up a Nettlefold company from Australia that made pressure lanterns around WW2. Link 1 is for the Lampguild main page. If you do post there be sure to remove the burner and font and psot photos of them along with the lamp. Link 1  Posted Sunday, January 15, 2012 by KM

 Q2260 Efferdent & Globe Cleaning  At Gaithersburg, someone suggested using Efferdent to clean stained globes. Has anyone ever tried this? What's the procedure and what kind of stains does it remove? (Rust? Cloudy spots?) Anybody else have trusted methods for removing stains and cloudy patches from globes? (Hoping Red Beard's in the house now...) Thanks.  Posted Thursday, January 12, 2012 by Robb   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. I use Muriatic Acid from the hardware store. The insulator folks use that to clean their insulators and so I experimented and had overwhelming success with the real tough to clean globes. I had a very cloudy WMRR, nothing would clean it-nothing. 30 minutes in the acid and it looked like a new globe. Posted Friday, January 13, 2012 by JGR

A. Hi Robb. I like the muriatic acid idea. Rock-hounds have used that for years to clean up mineral specimens. I’ve heard the Efferdent idea before, but haven’t tried it. Whatever you do - DON’T EVER - mix two cleaning products together to clean anything, as you can produce some highly poisonous fumes. My mom actually suffered serious lifetime lung problems after doing just that!! -- Next thing to remember is to always use ROOM TEMPERATURE chemicals and rinse water. I have cracked otherwise sound looking glass by rinsing it in water I thought was just “comfortably warm” to the touch. -- I’ve had good luck with polishing out rust stains and that black coating railroad glass accumulates by dampening a bare finger, dipping it in a soft abrasive sink cleanser like Bon Ami and gently rubbing the stain for several minutes. ---- Here’s what I said on the subject at the end of Q2233... “Sno Bol® Liquid Toilet Bowl Cleaner USED TO work wonders on glass. I haven't used any in 20 years and the EPA, et al, have gutted key ingredients from many old-time products. Insulator collectors first turned me on to the stuff. At the time it worked wonders on lantern globes and lamp lenses and would soak off that black coating that builds up on railroad glass which is so hard to remove. At the time it was the ONLY commercial product I could find that would do the trick. I would submerge the piece and soak in the FULL STRENGTH liquid for 12 to 24 hours, being careful to NOT dilute the liquid. -- ..use some sense, wear rubber gloves, read and follow the directions, keep it away from kids, pets and the addlepated. -- I used it full strength in a plastic tub or other appropriate size and shape container deep enough so that I could submerge the glass at least 55% of its height in the full strength Sno Bowl liquid, that way I could turn the globe over and soak the other half for another 24 hours and not have to use so much Sno Bowl, or so deep of a container. The stuff is fairly cheap though, and it does a great job as a toilet bowl cleaner and I'd reuse the stuff as bowl cleaner after the glass had been cleaned. ALWAYS rinse glass in ROOM TEMPERATURE WATER!! - Water that feels pleasantly warm to the touch can cause thermal shock to old glass. I've broken many a piece that way by rinsing in water I thought was "just fine". I've never broken any in room temperature water!” -- ...Red Beard.  Posted Friday, January 13, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. I've used Easy Off oven cleaner and also the cleaner for the glass flat top stoves. Both worked for me but I favor Easy off in the spray can. Posted Friday, January 13, 2012 by HL

 Q2259 Button ID Needed  I have enclosed a picture of what I believe To be a railroad uniform button. It appears to Have an S, K, and a C followed by a small o. I have tried to find out on your site which Company this might be, but with many lines Using these initials, I have been unable to determine This buttons origins. Any help would be greatly Appreciated. Even an Educated guess could steer me in the right direction. Thanks for your time and have a blessed day.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, January 12, 2012 by EM   Post a Reply  Email a reply

 Q2258 RR Bell Size?  Did the RR's ever make a bell bigger than 19 inches? I have a guy who has told me he has a 26 inch to 28 inch brass RR bell; marked with numbers on the top of the bell from the locomotive it was on. It is also supposed to be in the cradle. I have a 19 inch that is marked as he reports but have never seen a bell bigger than a 19 inch. Certainly does not mean one could not exist thus, my inquiring of you. The bell is reported to have been presented to a RR worker at retirement. I have heard of employee's getting bell at retirement but, never heard of one this big. The party who has the bell can have a rather vivid imagination at times so I wanted to try to do my homework before I try to go and see it. Can anyone shed any light on this for me? I certainly would appreciate any information you can give me. Thank you for your time and response.  Posted Thursday, January 12, 2012 by TS   Post a Reply  Email a reply

 Q2257 Key  I came across this key while looking through some deceased relatives belongings that were stored away. He was born in 1919 and worked for the railroad in Ga and Fla. My wife believes he was part of a crew that laid the tracks. Really don’t have much more to go on than that right now. I was just curious if there was anyone that could authenticate the key as being an actual RR item and provide a description of what it might have been used for on the RR. I have not seen any other key on the web similar to it. I looked through the keys you had pictured on your website and while it looks like it may be a coach or caboose key, it seems much larger than all those listed. It is nearly 8 inches long and 2 1/2 inches wide. Many thanks in advance.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, January 10, 2012 by C&A   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. As far as being some kind of key the RR used, this is strictly a fantasy item. In fact its not even a real key that opened any kind of lock. ACL went into the Seaboard in 1967, so I can't imagine that the RR had this as some kind of souvenir or give-a-way. They are still made today. You usually see these keys on a ring of 5, all brass. Sometimes they are sold as "old jail keys" etc.  Posted Tuesday, January 10, 2012 by DA

A. Thanks DA, my first thoughts were the same regarding it being a souvenir or something to that effect. However, on the reverse side of the key there are some other markings that made me think otherwise. Machine stamped into the ring are the numbers "6-2" and then on the teeth of the key is a etched "6" also over the machined stamped letters of "N|M". (A picture was provided just not posted) It seems like this would be unnecessary and fruitless if it were just a souvenir. It was just intriguing to us as we are researching family history and thought any story that could accompany it would be great. Posted Thursday, January 12, 2012 by CB

A. My wife found out the relative was in charge of maintenance and construction for thirteen eastern seaboard states. He retired from the ACL in the late nineteen sixties. Posted Thursday, January 12, 2012 by CB

A. As I said in my first posting, this key isn't even a real key that was used to open a lock. Check the link I have included, and compare the bits on these fantasy "jailer" keys to your key and you'll see that they look pretty much the same............ Link 1  Posted Monday, January 16, 2012 by DA

A. That link wasn't complete. Here is the correct one: Link 1  Posted Monday, January 16, 2012 by DA

 Q2256 Another Erie Cup Puzzle  Six months ago you helped me to date and identify the little Erie cup in center of this pic. Now I have found two thick, heavy white cups with the blue Erie logo, I think pattern is called Starrucca reversed. (The opposite of logo on the sugar cube which has blue writing on a white circle). Have found some pictures of cups with this logo, but mine are a different shape, wider at the bottom than the top and designed to stack. Height almost 2.5 inches, top diameter 3 inches, about 3.5 inches near base. The one on the right has WARWICK 1951 on the bottom, the other says STERLING, Vitrified China, EAST LIVERPOOL OHIO, U.S.A. The Warwick has a much smaller loop in the handle than the Sterling. I can't find any pictures showing cups this shape, and wonder if they were used on dining cars, or somewhere else, and when? The box was stored in Grandpa's attic in 1953 so I'm guessing the 1951 Warwick is the newer one? As always, any help with this question will be greatly appreciated.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, January 10, 2012 by CC   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Hi, These were dining car items. When a railroad ordered china, the actual shape depended on what blanks the china company produced. Your cups are by 2 different manufacturers. They probably hold about the same amount of liquid, it is just that the 2 china companies in question had different styles of cups. The Erie went out of business in 1960 (merging with the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western to form the Erie-Lackawanna)The Starucca pattern was used until the end of the Erie. JN Posted Wednesday, January 11, 2012 by JN

A. Thank you again, JN, for speedy reply and helpful information. Posted Wednesday, January 11, 2012 by CC

 Q2255 Dating a RR Lock  I have a L. S. & M. S. R. R. lock manufactured in Adrian , Michigan and am interested in finding out how old it is. I cannot make out the manufacturers name. Any help or where to look would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, January 10, 2012 by Tom   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. As a start see Q2247 below; the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern RR. operated as a separate company from 1869 to 1914, although always part of New York Central family of RR's.  Posted Tuesday, January 10, 2012 by RJMc

A. Going by the Mfg'r and style of lock, the big chain clevis at the bottom, etc, this type of lock appears to date to the 1860's - 1870's.  Posted Tuesday, January 10, 2012 by DA

A. The company is ILL Mfg Co. This is an abbreviation of Illinois Mfg Co. Originally from Chicago, this Co later moved to Adrian Mich. The lock is 1870's or so vintage. Posted Tuesday, January 31, 2012 by BobF

 Q2254 Adlake #100  I have a question about a strange lantern that I have that is marked Adlake Kero No. 100. It seems like I've read about these on your site, but I can't find any mention of them anywhere now, unless I'm missing it. I was wondering if you could give me an idea of when these were made. I see mention that the No. 200 was the first Kero, but it would appear that Adlake made a 'Kero' prior to the No. 100 that utilized a unique short globe that was slightly taller than the later short globes, but much shorter than the standard tall globes. The No. 100 appears to be a basically a Reliable frame with a different, much larger globe retainer to fit the shorter globe. At first this design didn't make any sense to me, but I'm wondering if this was Adlake's first attempt to create a lantern that was better drafted for kerosene and perhaps the standard Reliables didn't work well with Kerosene as opposed to signal oil? As to age, your 1918 Adlake catalog doesn't show it, so I assume it dates after that, however, I would imagine that it predates the Adlake 200 from around 1921? I see very few of these for sale, so I'm wondering if it's a rare lantern, maybe only made a couple of years. Also, the few I've seen for sale are also marked only for the NYNH&HRR like mine is. Finally, Adlake did patent a larger globe retainer like the one on this lantern in 1922 with the mention that the larger globe retainer and presumably shorter globe, was needed for better ventilation when using kerosene. This same globe retainer style looks similar to the one later used on the 200 and 250. You're welcome to use any of these photos as you see fit. If you have any comments on this model, I'd be interested to know more. Thanks   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Friday, January 6, 2012 by BM   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. See page 68 in "The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Railroad Lighting:Volume 1-The Railroad lantern' by Richard Barrett. He describes the 00 as the same frame as a Reliable with a different globe retainer that accomodates a 4" tall globe. The lantern that is shown there is also from the New Haven, but it has been converted back to the Reliable globe retainer and the 5&3/8" #39 globe. Other than your theories which may be quite valid, my thought is that maybe A&W was trying to compete with the Dietz #6 lantern. The non-standard globes limited the sources for them (and may have increased the price) at least for a while until other providers caught up. An advantage for the railroads may have been that the non-standard lantern was less likely to be stolen and used elsewhere since the parts were not readily available. That might hold true in large depots and yards where several other roads were present. And I could be wrong but it seems to me that the #6 was used almost exclusively in the New England states and New York. Has anyone else seen a #100 that is not from the New Haven? Maybe A&W couldn't sell this to anyone but the New Haven.  Posted Saturday, January 7, 2012 by KM

A. There are three patents that were all granted on May 9,1922 to W.S.Hamm and assigned to Adams and Westlake. I think the first one,#1,415,633 is the one for the globe retainer that you are referring to. The patent was applied for in 1919. Link 1 shows that patent. As to the improvement in burning kerosene, kero had been around for 50 or 60 years by 1920. I wonder how much of an improvement came from this. Part of the reason for abandoning signal oil was that it was various combinations of vegetable or lard oil and kerosene. During WW1 lard oil was needed for use in ammunition and the government asked that it not be used for other purposes. The second patent that day is 1,415,634 granted to W.S. Hamm for improvements in the smoke dome and it was applied for in 1921. The third patent is 1,415,635 also applied for in 1921 for a bail latch and is shown in link 2. Link 1  Link 2  Posted Saturday, January 7, 2012 by KM

A. Please refer to my question "Q1968 No.100 Kero" posted October 13, 2010 and the answers to that question. By the way, my lantern is a Southern Railway lantern (Southern Ry is on top of the dome of the lid) and has a 5&3/8ths tall globe with Southern Ry cast on the globe. Hope this helps! CK Posted Saturday, January 7, 2012 by CK

A. There are also 4" globe Adlake 100's for the New York Central marked "NYCRR" (I have 1 clear, and 1 red globe both etched "NYCRR"), and I have also seen Lehigh Valley's ("LVRR")with a 4" globe, both in wire bottom and loco base models. The loco based model had a red cast "LVRR" 4" globe. New York Central, and New York, New Haven & Hartford appear to be the ones you see most often when you see an adlake 100. The correct burner/fount for these is an Adlake #187. Posted Monday, January 9, 2012 by wdpdepot

A. I have a Central of Georgia Adlake 100 with the 4" globe, ( clear and unmarked)  Posted Saturday, January 21, 2012 by ng

 Q2253 Raco Lock Key  Hello. What does a key for this type of lock look like? Thanks   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Friday, January 6, 2012 by MG   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. The key looks like a hollow triangle and is about 3 in long. You can also use a 1/2 in or 9/16 socket (can't remember which)to open it. The keys show up on ebay from time to time. This is a signal cabinet lock. Posted Friday, January 6, 2012 by BK

A. Also enter 1411 in the "By question number" search box to see more info. on these. Many of these use triangular keys, but some had hex or square shaped drivers according to what the buyer ordered.  Posted Friday, January 6, 2012 by RJMc

 Q2252 Cab Seat?  Hello. I got two seats (?) like this with a switch stand and some other railroad items. My question is: Is this an old cab jump seat? Thanks   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Friday, January 6, 2012 by MG   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Well, I have been studying the picture for a while and can not recall ever seeing (or riding on) a seat like this in a locomotive cab, either steam or diesel. I agree it certainly looks to be some kind of 'jump' seat because it is made to pivot and possibly be removable from its mounting without too much trouble. After manipulating the photo a little to look at it right-side-up, it is clear that it would swivel only horizontally and there is no way to fold it up vertically. There appears to be a pattern number '400' stamped into the mount. I suspect the seat might be from some kind of equipment other than a locomotive, such as maybe a crane or track maintenance machinery like a tamper. Some points that cause me to doubt locomotive service: the mount casting looks very heavy; there is no evidence of padding, and the lack of vertical fold capability means the seat unit would occupy a lot of volume when it is not mounted -- and space is at a premium on most locomotives. Of course, almost every class of steam loco was different, and early model diesels had quite a variety of accessories also, so someone may yet recognize it as a locomotive part.  Posted Monday, January 9, 2012 by RJMc

A. Went to a railroad museum today, and they had a seat 'almost' like this one in a case, and said that it was a motorman,s seat from a Pacific Electic. Posted Saturday, January 28, 2012 by MG

 Q2251 B&O Lock  This lock was dug in the Harper's Ferry area. Trying to find out any info. on It   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Friday, January 6, 2012 by RW   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Except for the fact that it is in dug condition, which unfortunately kills the value, that is a great lock!! The unusual keyhole, and that fact that it is clearly marked B & O RR. Probably dates to the 1850's - 1860's. The makers mark was probably stamped on the hasp. I have been interested in RR locks for over 30 years but I've never seen one like that before........ Posted Friday, January 6, 2012 by DA

A. This lock appears on page 57 of David W. Robinson's self-published spiral-bound book, LOCKS AND KEYS BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD where he identifies it as a Car Lock, meaning one used by the car repair department. He determines this by the key that it takes, which also worked more recent versions of their car locks, as his book shows. Yours differs from his in that yours was made with a teardrop clevis at the bottom of the body to accept a chain. Like yours, his does not show the maker's name stamped on the SHACKLE (improperly called a "hasp" by an earlier poster). I am not yet aware of anyone turning up one of these locks with a maker's mark on it, but the design suggests it may have been made by an early lock company in Baltimore called STEWART. A three day soak in white vinegar will help remove some of the rust scale on the shackle and teardrop clevis without removing any patina from it nor will it disturb the green tarnish on the brass body. Most certainly, your lock is an early one.  Posted Sunday, January 15, 2012 by lock historian

A. "Robinson's self-published spiral-bound book, LOCKS AND KEYS BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD ". Is this book still available??? Posted Thursday, January 26, 2012 by DA

A. Usually the term 'car lock' refers to locks used on express car doors or strongboxes or other valuable shipments. See prior Q's 1598 and 646 to see good clear pictures of other 'car locks'. See also the Link to the Locks page elsewhere here on the website; the bottom center picture is another 'car lock'. A confirmation that this is a car lock is the small hole visible in those pix and also showing here at the left end of the shackle, just filled with dirt or rust. The hole received the wire of a lead seal which was applied at the shipment origin and had to be broken to open the lock -- since a lot of employees would need to have the standard key so the lock could be worked at both ends of a trip without sending a unique key along with the shipment. 'Car lock' keys were often marked with a 'C' designator, where 'S' was for switch keys. Car locks seem to have gone out of use on the railroads very early on, likely because high value shipments ended up going with the express companies such as REA, Wells Fargo, etc. and/or in US Mail -- all of which had all of their own hardware and seals and even their own cars. The locks used by 'car knockers' are often called 'repair track' or 'rip track' or 'car department' locks and provide security against undesired road crew entry by having a different key blank and cut from regular switch keys. They are often marked 'RT' and are still in use today.  Link 1  Posted Thursday, February 2, 2012 by RJMc

 Q2250 Odd Lantern Bail  I just purchased a Canadian National short globe lantern that at first glance appears to have had the bail handle replaced with an oversized coat hanger (the wire diameter is 1/8-5/32 in.). At first glance I thought someone had replaced the handle with coat hanger, but if they did the twists in the wire are symmetrical and the turns in the wire perfectly formed. The lantern has a red globe and the aunt of the person I purchased it pink! I personally have never seen a lantern with this handle arrangement. My only thought for a railroad application is hanging the lantern on the rear of a car that did not have marker lights. The hook on this thing certainly could be hooked on a grab iron or anything else with up to nearly a 2 in. diameter and the hook is nearly 3 in. deep. I would appreciate any 'light' you can shed on any railroad use of a lantern with a handle modification like that. It appears the lantern may have been manufactured that way.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, January 4, 2012 by LC   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Hard to tell without actually seeing it, but when I was messing around with steam heat connectors on passenger cars we used to use wire like that to "safe lock" the connectors together. The wire was about 3/16" diameter and was soft and easily bent. Each connector had holes in the lock lever and you could pass the wire through them so that they could not vibrate loose. That hook looks like it could hang on a crossing gate also. Posted Wednesday, January 4, 2012 by KM

 Q2249 Key ID Needed  Can anyone tell me what railroad this is? STLS & RCO . It's hard to read the maker's mark but I believe it's a Handlan Buck.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, January 4, 2012 by JS   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. The closest fit (almost - not quite) so far for these initials, from Gross's Trolley and Interurban Directory, is St. Louis and Suburban Ry. Co. (St. L. & S. R. Co.) It operated 28 miles of track in St. Louis between 1890 and 1907, then was absorbed into the larger metro streetcar system.  Posted Wednesday, January 4, 2012 by RJMc

 Q2248 Inspectors Lantern  Hello, I just purchased my first lantern, a Dietz Acme Inspectors lantern. It appears to be in great shape looks like it just needs a wick and a filling and it will light. The wick mechanism is a little stiff, I have lantern in my sailboat and the wick mechanism is freer. Regardless where do I get a wick, how do I get it in the lamp and do I need to fill it with kerosene or can I use lamp oil (citronella oil)? Thanks,  Posted Wednesday, January 4, 2012 by Fred in Scenic S Philadel.   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. I have six Acme Inspector lamps,and I have not restored or tried to light them. The Acme had a long life span, Dietz made them from around 1898 to 1956. There are several variations, the main one beimng the shape of the handle, more rounded being older and squared off newer. The wick should be a 5/8" width. After removing the globe, (which is a Number 0 size)the top of the lantern slides up if it is not rusted and seized up to reveal the base of the burner. The burner is twist locked into the top of the font. The Acme is a hot blast type lantern and it will not burn as bright as a cold blast lantern. The hot blast recycles some air from above the flame, while a cold blast lantern brings in only fresh air. Perhaps the best known source for Dietz lanterns, parts and information is W.T. Kirkman Company. You can buy that wick from some hardware stores that have oil lamps though. Woody Kirkman says in his FAQ page that citronella oil can be used but you may want to cut it with kerosene. If you are going to burn this on a regular basis do not use dyed oil, since it may foul out the wick. Here are two links to W.T. Kirman Company for his Frequently Asked Questions page and his Lantern Terminology page. Even if you do not burn the Acme,you should read these pages since the information may help you safely operate the lantern you are using on your boat. Link 1  Link 2  Posted Wednesday, January 4, 2012 by KM

A. This link is for the Dietz Compendium at W.T. Kirkman's site,www.lanternnet.com. This is a very comprehensive lsit of all lanterns that Dietz made with the wick sizes, globes that fit and a rarity guide.  Link 1  Posted Wednesday, January 4, 2012 by KM