Search Archived Q&A's

By category...

By word (3-12 chars)...*

By Question Number... **

* For example typing lamp returns any question where this word occurs in the question or answer. Don't enclose your word with quotes. Just type the word in the window and click the Go button next to the box.

** Don't enclose the number in quotes; just type the number in the window and click the Go button next to the box.

Question & Answer Board

Main
Q&A Page		Email a QuestionRailroadiana Home

A Search for questions in the category "RR Lighting" found the following results. Questions are sorted beginning with the most recent. The next most recent 20 questions and answers are shown below beginning with the 431st.

 Q3142 Adlake Kero  Need help on this Adlake Kero. It has a #400 pot and burner on the top dome. It has Adlake Kero and then railroad on the skirt. It has C&ARR. There is no pat dates on the bottom of the lantern. It has a drain hole on bottom. The guy I got it from said it was from the Chesapeake and Albemarle Railroad. When I look it up the C&ARR was a short line from 1990 owned by Norfolk Southern short line program. The guy said the pot and burner was in the lantern when he got 20 years ago. I talk to Adlake and they said they have not made the #400 pot and burner in about 40 years.I am thinking this might be from another railroad with C&A on it. Could this lantern be from the 1960s or 1970s? Thanks for your help   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, April 21, 2016 by RT   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. More likely: CHICAGO & ALTON Locations: IL, MO, Mex Express: American and National Expresses Type RR: steam unless noted otherwise Disposition/Successor: GULF, MOBILE & OHIO Posted Thursday, April 21, 2016 by BK

A. It's definitely NOT Chicago & Alton. The lantern dates to recent times per the stamping on top. The Chicago & Alton was reorganized as the Alton RR in about 1932, far earlier than when this lantern was manufactured.  Posted Thursday, April 21, 2016 by BobF

A. Under Railroadiana Types on Railroadiana Home page, click on Lanterns. Next,on Railroad Lanterns page, click on A&W Kero II. The page "Adams & Westlake Kero Lanterns: The Last Stand" will come up. This page might be helpful in more closely determining the age of your lantern. Posted Friday, April 22, 2016 by CRK

A. One tip off its not C&RRR short line is that all the RRs were using battery lanterns not kerosene in 1990. Posted Friday, April 22, 2016 by LP

A. Hi, This is a Chesapeake & Albemarle Railroad Adlake Kero "Heritage" lantern. If you go to the Railroadiana home page, click on "Lanterns' in the right side column, and then "A&W Heritage", you'll see the listing of Kero "Heritage" lanterns (for short lines, museums, tourist RR, Lionel, etc) and the C&ARR is listed there. Your lantern should have had a #300 fount/burner when it was made by Adlake. It is a rare piece as only 19 were made. It is part of a collection of lanterns made to commemorate old short lines of the South.  Posted Monday, April 25, 2016 by wdpdepot

A. thank you wdpdepot for the info do you have ideal why they put a #400 burner and pot in this lantern thanks agan Posted Tuesday, April 26, 2016 by rt

A. The #300 and #400 are interchangeable. The most common reason for changing a pot is if a pot has developed "pinholeing" (metal rusted through allowing the fuel to leak out), but your lantern appears to never have been used. It could have belonged to a collector at one time who needed a #300 and made the swap, or it could have been "new old stock" that was replace by the railroad - there's really no way to know.  Posted Tuesday, April 26, 2016 by wdpdepot

A. thank you wdpdepot for your help Posted Tuesday, April 26, 2016 by rt

 Q3140 Gummed Up Lantern Burner  I recently came across an old Pennsylvania Railroad Lantern. Everything is in really good shape but the burner is all gummed up and there is still liquid inside. Is there any way to these burners open up to give it a good cleaning and get it back in working order? Thanks.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, April 19, 2016 by Joey P.   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Let it soak outdoors in gasoline over night and it will loosen it up, dissolve the gunk and clean it up as well. Air dry. Wear latex/rubber gloves. Posted Tuesday, April 19, 2016 by DG

A. You can hold the brass part that holds the wick then with other hand turn the very bottom portion that raises the wick counter clockwise to unscrew it from the wick assembly then you can look inside and even clean it better with a rag. Reassemble in reverse. Lantern is a Keystone Casey. Posted Wednesday, April 20, 2016 by dc

 Q3138 RR Lamp Info Needed  I received This lantern from a person whose uncle worked for the Burlington Railroad. It is stamped B R on the frame(see pic). The burner is marked Sherwood Limited Trademark Sound and BR. The wick knob is marked Sherwood BHAM. Any help would be appreciated.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, April 11, 2016 by Mike S.   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A.  This is a trackwalker's lamp from British Railways, not the CB&Q, Burlington Route. Sherwood was a lantern maker from Birmingham, England, and Birmingham had been a center for English lamp manufacturers. Many folks make the mistake assuming that BR means Burlington Route, search "British" in the Word or Phrase Archive feature, and check out Q 1533 for more information. Also look at eBay Great Britain and you will probably see similar lamps listed there. Adlake and other American lamp manufacturers made multicolored trackwalker lamps a very long time ago, but at some point they were outlawed because of the possibility of displaying the wrong color aspect. Also ceramic burners are not found in American lamps. Posted Tuesday, April 12, 2016 by KM

 Q3136 Brass Handlan Switch Lantern  I was visiting a friend's house and I noticed that there was a solid brass Handlan switch lantern that was electrified. Does anyone know what purpose a brass switch lantern might have played in the role of railroading (possible retirement gift, used on a special dining car, etc.)?  Posted Friday, April 1, 2016 by JAT   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Handlan was in dire straights in the 1980's and started making items for the railfan trade. The brass plated switch lamps and made them into table lamps and swag lamps.It was not very successful and they eventually were bought out by Adlake. Posted Friday, April 1, 2016 by BK

A. Although most of the brass plated lamps went to railfans, some were bought for the kind of ceremonial occasions you mention. For example, I saw one case where the UTU national office bought one to donate to a Christmas charity auction. The next year it was a brand-new gold-colored Adlake Kero. (Not at ALL clear whether those now count as 'AUTHENTIC' RR lamps!!) People buying them from Handlan could get kerosene or already electrified, in brass, silver colored, black or almost any color paint, and if desired with a tag with any RR (or other) initials you chose to specify. If it didn't matter to you, Handlan would provide a lamp with a randomly-selected tag from whatever they had on hand; 'MoPac' was a common one. The Link is a whole page of discussion about these doings elsewhere on the RRiana site.  Link 1  Posted Friday, April 1, 2016 by RJMc

A. --There are several problems here that need to be addressed. --- I don’t have all the timeline dates at my fingertips as I write this, but I need to get some facts on here while this question is still a fresh item! -- -- There is some serious MISINFORMATION out about Handlan; including the article -ON THIS SITE- that RJMc links to in the above answer. --- I’m guessing that BK’s answer is based on that misinformation as well. --- First of all, starting towards the end of the time line, Handlan was -NOT in dire straits- in the 1980s; it was in fact a rather profitable small business; and “Railfinders/Handlan” did quite well for over a decade! -- The people owning and running “Railfinders”, a middle-aged husband and wife team, were the fourth set of owners of the Handlan company in the 20th century; a married couple who had purchased the remnants of Handlan to run as a small business venture, specializing in hobbyist and collector sales as well as providing switch lamps for what little was left of the actual railroad based business. Railfinders/Handlan actually provided them with a comfortable income for quite some time, and was a very successful small business venture for them --- Handlan, in its heyday during the first half of the 1900s, had been a profitable family owned business. The family sold Handlan sometime in the late 1950s - early 1960s, as best I recall off the top of my head – These second owners kept everything the Handlan family passed on to them, including all the old paper records, catalogs, shop manufacturing patterns, etc; and continued offering pretty much the entire line; though much of it was obsolete with the death of steam and the electrification of signals. – these second owners then sold the company to a group of investors who decided to streamline the company. Regrettably, the third owners went through the records and the manufacturing shop and threw out nearly everything that wasn’t related to then current market demand; primarily kerosene and electric switch lamps. – All the old paper history of the company; records, catalog sheets, historical materials, etc were thrown out! - They also went through the shop and tossed out any remaining obsolete stock and all the patterns and forms for manufacturing nearly all of the old historic line of products; except for what they could at that time still sell to the railroads; primarily just switch lamps. ---- This was a huge historic loss, as up to that time the original and second owners had apparently kept -everything- from over the years! ..paper records and obsolete products. ---- The final owners, the married couple, had some investment money and wanted to purchase a small business to run for their personal source of income. They came across Handlan and purchased the remains of the company. – Railfinders/Handlan served them well for quite a while, and it’s -unfortunate- to have people who don’t know what they are talking about say that it was a “dying remnant of its former self”, “going out of business”, “in dire straits”, “last-ditch effort to stay in business”, “Railfinders was a subsidiary operation”, etc, NONE of which is even remotely accurate!! --- The couple ran the company -successfully- for over a decade and supported themselves comfortably with it! --- Adlake NEVER bought Handlan. -- Adlake did buy out Dressel. --- Some fifth entity apparently purchased the switch lamp patterns and made a cheap, cheesy decorator version of the switch lamp where railroad names were stamped into the vent cap. A few of those show up on eBay from time to time. – The married couple (4th owners) had some promotional materials written and printed up for Railfinders, and the copywriters of those materials used quite a bit of creative license. The photos of the man and woman working in the production shop (Link 1 in the above answer) were actually from the 1950s or even the 1940s ; though by reading the blurb you would have thought they worked there during the “Railfinders” era; -not so. Fortunately, those photos and a few others of the old manufacturing operation survived the great purge of material done by the third owners – In the quote; “Railroad lamps handmade the old Handlan way by craftsmen “-like-” Lou Wanner and Mrs. Nancy Torp”, the operative word is “like”; by the Railfinders days, Lou and Nancy were long gone, and the assembly people of the 1980s did do work “just like” Lou and Nancy had done many years before. – -- It is true that during the “Railfinders” iteration of Handlan, the company still sold switch lamps to railroads; …and to hobbyists alike. There was also a “decorator” line of swag lamps and table lamps; but, if you bought a Switch Lamp from them, it was identical to the ones sold to the railroads, and therefore you CANNOT tell if a switch lamp from that era was ever in railroad service or if it went directly from Handlan to someone’s train room collection. --- Answering the original question; ..a SOLID BRASS lamp would be from the Railfinders era. However, in the 1960s and 1970s it was quite popular to take old railroad lamps from any manufacturer and have them plated in nickel, brass or copper, so a plated lamp could be either an old lamp that someone had plated or one that came plated directly from Railfinders ---- …. Red Beard Posted Sunday, April 3, 2016 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

 Q3134 Star Headlight Lantern Marking  I picked up this Star Headlight lantern that I believe is a track walkers inspection lantern. Whats throwing me are the intials in the handle 'RIL.' I initially thought they could stand for 'Rock Island Lines' and maybe they do, but I'm not certain. The other red flag is the letters are set into the handle and not raised like I am accustomed to seeing. Does anyone have any thoughts?   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Friday, March 25, 2016 by Craig H.   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. They might be the employees' initials. Workers were usually responsible for their lanterns. Looks like someone could have taken it to the shop and punched their initials after being assigned the lantern. Posted Friday, March 25, 2016 by JN

A. What you have is an inspectors lantern, track walkers lanterns are quite different. Posted Friday, March 25, 2016 by don cassaday

A. I have one just like this with RIL stamped in the handle although not quite as clearly stamped. Posted Friday, March 25, 2016 by Rick T

A. The letters are set deep and straight so I do believe they were done with some form of a machine and not by an individual with a set of individual letters.  Posted Saturday, March 26, 2016 by ch

A. I'd go with Rock Island Lines. I've seen others like yours in the past similarly marked and I'm in the Midwest (Rock Island territory). Posted Saturday, March 26, 2016 by BobF

A. Thank you Posted Monday, March 28, 2016 by Craig H

 Q3133 Alaska RR Kero?  I was wondering if the Alaska Railroad ever use the Adlake Kero lantern on their system? There is no listing for them on your site, any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.  Posted Thursday, March 24, 2016 by Rick M   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. While on a business trip to Alaska during the late 1980's one Saturday I rode what was known as the Whittier Shuttle on the Alaska Railroad, complete with snack car, coaches, auto transport flat cars and caboose. At Portage autos on flat cars were transported through the tunnel to Whittier and back three times along with the caboose. Once in Whittier I walked back to the caboose and asked its two man crew if I could ride with them for the remaining two turns and much to my surprise the answer was "yes". Earlier that morning I purchased an ALDAKE KERO lantern marked "ALAKSA RR" at the Anchorage depot gift shop and was curious to see if there were any on the caboose. There were two, but unlike mine neither lantern was marked, other than ADLAKE KERO. The crew allowed me to hang my lantern on the rear of the caboose for the next two turns so I could say with certainty it truly did see active train service on the ALSKA RAILROAD. I did not see anymore ADLAKE KERO lanterns in Alaska after that trip and have always wondered if the marked ones, like mine, were a special run made for ALASKA RAILRAOD gift shop sales or if any saw train service. Posted Saturday, April 2, 2016 by JH

A. In response to your question as to whether the Alaska RR ever used marked Adlake Kero lanterns in train and engine service, the answer is yes. I worked for the ARR from 1982 -2001 as a train and engineman and did come across a few in cabooses. However, most were unmarked. Posted Sunday, October 29, 2017 by Bryan

 Q3131 Original Lenses?  I recently acquired a Handlan black switch lantern with two amber and two green Stimsonite lenses. The lamp has the word Frisco on the side and Handlan on the top. The item was sold as NOS new old stock. The interior shows it was never circulated. The lantern is new and clean in the interior. I want to know if the Stimsonite lenses were added or potentially original?   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Friday, March 18, 2016 by Marc   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. I don't know specifically about the Frisco, but the Wabash/Norfolk & Western in the midwest were big users of Stimsonite lenses like this in the 1960's till they removed the lanterns altogether. I remember in about 1969 the N&W did some track work on the bridge just west of Landers yard in Chicago and installed two new switches, complete with brand new Adlake switch lanterns equipped with Stimsonite lenses. They certainly are appropriate for the time period for late production lanterns like yours. The lenses reflected with the outer ring and if the lantern were to be lit the lenses could also be acceptably illuminated. Posted Friday, March 18, 2016 by BobF

A. This is one of those "maybe" situations. The last of the lamps Frisco got from Handlan were just as yours; coming new in the box with the Stimsonite lenses. I have one exactly like yours, Stimsonite lenses and all, that I know came out of the Frisco's Kansas City yards in the mid 1970s. The last time I saw lamps on the Frisco was in 1982 and they were still just like yours. -- The "maybe" part comes in, as Handlan was selling lamps to the general public in the 1970s & '80s and some of the most common of those are marked "FRISCO"; so it is impossible to say if yours came from the Frisco or directly from Handlan to a hobbyist/collector. -- BobF, above, is spot on about the N&W lamps. In the late 1960s, early 1970s, the N&W (old Wabash) yard in Council Bluffs, IA had some of those Adlake lamps; #1112, that came fresh out of the box, with all 5-3/8 in. Green & Yellow Stimsonite plastic lenses, just like the lenses in Marc's Frisco lamp. They had also refitted all of the old, heavy gauge sheet metal Handlan lamps with new Stimsonite lenses. ---- .... Red Beard Posted Saturday, March 19, 2016 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

 Q3130 Lamp Info?  What kind of base is this for? Never saw one like this. Is this a semaphore or a train order lamp? Thanks.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, March 14, 2016 by RT   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Some questions: Who made the lamp? What color is the lens, and confirm there is just one lens? The metalwork of the base looks suspiciously like the cast metal used in switch throw mechanisms and mechanical interlocking devices, so as a guess maybe this lamp marked a remotely-thrown derail or maybe a movable bridge.  Posted Tuesday, March 15, 2016 by RJMc

A. the lamp is made by adlake there is only one lens its red  Posted Tuesday, March 15, 2016 by rt

A. the lamp has a tag on it with p b & w rr and a another tag with pat dats the last pat dat is 1906 Posted Wednesday, March 16, 2016 by rt

 Q3129 Lantern Info Needed  Can anyone tell me about this?   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, March 14, 2016 by Amanda S   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. This is a tall globe lantern made by Dressel. One is shown on this website -- follow the ink below.  Link 1  Posted Tuesday, March 15, 2016 by PK

 Q3128 Lantern History?  I have acquired a cool, interesting railroad lantern. I'm not selling it, but am interested in its history. I just retired on disability from 37 years in the track maintenance beginning with the SLSF (Frisco) railroad, out of Springfield, Missouri in the late seventies. The lantern and its total markings are: The Adams & Westlake Co. New York-Chicago-Philadelphia Adlake Reliable 11.28. 1911-7.2. 1912-4.1.1913 9.22. CAN. 1921-1923-PATS PENDING PADT. 5.5.1908. 1-26.1909 1-26.1909. 9-21-1909 Glass Globe reads -SAFETY FIRST MADE IN USA. Cnx It has a wick in it, the globe is intact, undamaged. Again, I do not ever intend to sell this, I am interested in the history only. Modern Railroading does not turn me on, but the founding railroads do.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Friday, March 11, 2016 by Stan   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Go to the "Lanterns" page on this site. There is a write up about the Adlake Reliable. It even shows a lantern like yours. I attached it to the link on this page.  Link 1  Posted Friday, March 11, 2016 by JN

 Q3126 1873 A&W Brass Lantern with Cobalt Blue Globe  Is this lantern now being reproduced and starting to be sold in the U.S.? Two have shown up on Ebay in one weeks time. Both identical in condition and style.  Posted Tuesday, March 8, 2016 by RP   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. No. More like monkey see, monkey sell. Just a case of an original lantern selling for what someone else with one thought was worth their while to try and sell theirs for. They are both original lanterns, and probably original globes. Posted Tuesday, March 8, 2016 by EN

 Q3125 SCL Lantern  I found this lantern in an antique shop this weekend, bought it for $9.00. Got onto your site, looks like it may have been made in the fifties if I understand what I read. Also it is stamped 'SCL' but I didn’t see that in your list of railroads. Could it be Seaboard Coast Line? If you could tell me what you think I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, March 6, 2016 by Richard S   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. looks like the hold down clip may not be broken, just closed with it inside top wire rather than outside. Posted Wednesday, March 9, 2016 by DC

A. "SCL" is the reporting mark for the Seaboard Coast Line. "A reporting mark is an alphabetic code of one to four letters used to identify owners or lessees of rolling stock and other equipment used on certain railroad networks". So your guess seems to be correct. You got a good deal for $9.00. Clean and derust and you'll have a nice lantern. The lid hold down clip looks like it might be broken but I'm not sure about that. Posted Wednesday, March 9, 2016 by GK

A. After examining my Adlake lanterns the locking clip on said lantern has definitely been broken or cut short. An unbroken clip would never fit inside the top wire as it would be way to long. The bend in the clip that 'grabs' the top wire is also missing in the above lantern Posted Friday, March 11, 2016 by GK

A. That looks like the ones my Grandpa had. He had three; one red, one green, and one amber. They had a wire base, about eighteen inches high. The globes bore, the colored; and he put a water hose with the fine lines for the handles and on the base bottoms. The water hoses back then, were rubbery, and kind of wiggley when you held it. I hope you understand what I mean. Thank YOU!!😃 I thought I’d never see them again! For me, YOU have a piece of history. If they could speak, wonder where they’ve been!? YOU!!, enjoy your find! Posted Sunday, November 11, 2018 by CHG

 Q3122 Reflectorized Railroad Lamp?   I've had this piece for many years and always believed it to be railroad-related, but after much internet research, I haven't seen one like it to confirm or not. Can you shed some light (forgive me, I couldn't resist that awful pun...I'll bet I'm the first :)) on this reflectorized square lamp?   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, February 29, 2016 by K Man   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. It's a non-illuminated switch stand marker Posted Monday, February 29, 2016 by BK

A. K Man; can you also please send in a photo of the bottom of the item? That could tell us something, Thanks, ---- .... Red Beard Posted Monday, February 29, 2016 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. K Man, see Q2310 for some detail on an older question on these. ---- First a question for you; Could you please shine a bright light into one of those green reflectors? ..let us know what color the glass is. Is it the usual railroad "Teal Green" color of switch lamp lenses? The one in Q2310 looks to be more of a grass green color, but digital photos can skew the color quite a bit. -- Do you know what part of the country it came from? ---- I'm still guessing that these are shop made by some railroad, and that they are definitely a switch stand indicator. ---- .... Red Beard Posted Monday, February 29, 2016 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. The Link describes the technique of using the 'button' reflectors on highway signs, last used in the early 1960's when flat reflectorized sheeting such as Scotchlite and paints with reflective particles became popular. Link 1  Posted Wednesday, March 2, 2016 by RJMc

 Q3118 MRy Lantern Number  I acquired this lantern a few days ago. I know it is from the Monongahela Railway by the stamp on it. However, I am not sure what the other stamp is, which reads 'L-986'. I checked to see if this might have been a locomotive number, but it doesn't appear to be so.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, February 23, 2016 by JT   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. With a number in the 900's, the "L" is probably for "L-antern" number, so they could track which lantern was issued to which employee. The Link is to a GB&W marker which is also stamped; they suggest that the serial number was needed because the lamp got issued to different employees at different times and so needed accountability. The Monongahela operated in a small enough area that most crews started and finished their shifts at the same base location (Brownsville, for example); if the RR issued lanterns daily all the employees would not need to carry them back and forth to work on the extensive trolley service that once operated there. They probably also recorded which lanterns were assigned to towers, stations, crossing watchmen shanties, etc. where many different employees used the same lanterns. (I am surprised that more RR's DIDN't number the lanterns. Just another indication that mass-produced, stamped out lanterns were really very inexpensive when you bought a couple hundred at a time!))  Link 1  Posted Thursday, February 25, 2016 by RJMc

 Q3117 Pin Holes in a Lantern Fuel Font  I am working on a NYC lantern. The kerosene pot has some pin holes in the bottom. Any recommendation on what to do to plug the holes? I was thinking of using the stuff you see on TV, flexseal, but thought the kerosene might dissolve the stuff. Also should I try sealing it from the inside as well?  Posted Tuesday, February 23, 2016 by Tim B   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Reasonably priced new and good used fonts are available on Ebay in the lantern and Lamp section. Would not affect the value of your lantern and a better fix then sealing the pin holes IMO. Posted Wednesday, February 24, 2016 by JK

A. I've had success with JB Weld products. Basically a two part slow cure epoxy available in several different versions based on the application, ie, filled for extra strength, etc. I'd first try to apply from the inside and extrude out through the holes. Of course if that doesn't work apply from the outer surface. The bond surface must be clean. I minimally buff a small area around the holes with 0000 steel wool, wipe with acetone (leaves no residue) and apply the JB Weld. Let us know how it works. BTW, I've used this technique on air compressor pressure tanks (about 125 psi max), antique powder flasks and many others. Let us know the results. Posted Wednesday, February 24, 2016 by jsmosby

 Q3115 Northern Pacific Caboose Day Markers  I just got these northern pacific railroad caboose day markers. I would like to know when they started using this type.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, February 18, 2016 by RT   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. i cannot believe that nobody knows anything about caboose day markers what kind of people or on this site. day markers were mostly used on the older wooden caboose from around 1800s to about the 1940s maybe a little latter.this way railroads could save a little on fuel from not burning the marker lamps also you could not see the marker lamps that good in the daylight hours.not all railroads use day markers. i see yours our marked np day markers or hard to fine now days and may be rare. Posted Thursday, February 25, 2016 by mike

A. Mike, the people on this website know how to spell, use proper punctuation and capital letters when appropriate. pajrr Posted Thursday, February 25, 2016 by pajrr

A. One more comment about the first answer.............. He wanted to know when they were used......."1800's to 1940's or later".......that answer basically covers the entire operating history of the Northern Pacific Ry. I will agree that they are "hard to fine", however. I've been buying & selling RR'iana for 40 years and I've never seen one, RR marked or otherwise. That might explain why nobody seems to know anything about them. Posted Friday, February 26, 2016 by DA

A. Here's a picture of an NP cab with markers. Link 1  Posted Friday, February 26, 2016 by RT

A. Its interesting that the 'markers' are green color. Not a usual color for markers; is the other side of these red? Or maybe white? The Nickel Plate always used white painted metal 'flags' on steam engines on extra trains (which were most of the trains they operated -- almost every NKP Berkshire picture ever taken has those white flags, except the rare ones in passenger service) even though the engines were also carrying white electric classification lights. Maybe these NP items were 'Class Flags' for 'another section following' and that wasn't all that common an occurrence.  Posted Friday, February 26, 2016 by RJMc

A. pajrr your right i dont know how spell very well but i dont wait till somebody else answers the question to come out of the closet your 2 cents is noted. dj seeing is believing look at the pic real hard what do you see i see np marking also click on link below my god its a np caboose with metal day markers.rjmc these or not flags there day markers made for cabooses not engines they our green on both sides.they were made so one is for the lift side and one for the right side they our not reversible so even if one side was red and the other was white it would not work because the way the bracket is curved these markers were meant to be used with coroner brackets. click on the link below to see np caboose Posted Friday, February 26, 2016 by mike

A. Examples: See Link 1 for Milwaukee Road and Link 2 for C&NW -- The ones I have seen are red on one side and green on the other. At the moment I can't find photos showing the green side. ---- .... Red Beard Link 1  Link 2  Posted Monday, February 29, 2016 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. here's one showing the back side being green ---- .... Red Beard Link 1  Posted Monday, February 29, 2016 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. To try to answer the 'when' part of your question, the Link gives the history of Scotchlite and related reflectorized material back to the 1960's, but plain-painted ones could have been in use long before that. The Link turned up the reference to 'button copy' which relates to the earlier reflectorization technique applied on the switch marker in Q 3122. Link 1  Posted Wednesday, March 2, 2016 by RJMc

A. To really answer the question, you would need to look at Northern Pacific operating rulebooks which instruct the crews what markers to display and under what conditions. Permitting non-lit markers to be used (in place of prior kerosene) would have been a fairly major change in allowed procedures and would have been noted. So far I haven't found any NP historical rule books on the web that can be read directly, but they are for sale. Posted Wednesday, March 2, 2016 by RJMc

A. Here's some relevant parts of a Q&A on Trainorders.com (see Link for their full discussion): "Re: Early Amtrak Passenger Train Question Author: 1372" "... All trains on BN used rectangular metal non-illuminated marker paddles, red to rear, green to front. This dated from spring 1967, when Great Northern discontinued traditional marker lights ...(EXCEPT on trains running into Canada, which required lighted markers). The practice continued as long as (passenger) heritage equipment ran on BN lines."  Link 1  Posted Thursday, March 3, 2016 by RJMc

 Q3114 Handlan RR Lantern  I am new to Handlan lanterns and have been frustrated in researching information. I have the following questions, any assistance will be greatly appreciated. -Handlan Lantern: Height 10 in. -Clear Globe 5 1/4 in. -Marked: NYSRR -Lettering slightly tilted, lid repaired at hinge -Patent #s 41309 02310 122710 1212 -Adlake No. 1 Signal Burner This lanterns vintage (what years)? The railroads name or is it mis-marked? Does the repair on the lid send up any flags? Is the chimney missing anything and how do I remove the spring assembly?  [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, February 17, 2016 by Jimmy T   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. What years was this lantern made? Posted Thursday, February 18, 2016 by JT

A. The closest railroad to those initials might be "New York State Railways". It was a conglomerate of trolley and interurban lines in upstate NY. Their Adlake Reliables marked N.Y.S. Rys are fairly common, but I've never seen another Handlan marked like this. If it is an interurban lantern, the burner might be considered correct, especially if the lantern had a mounting bracket and red globe for use as a marker lamp. Otherwise it would have a more typical Handlan burner with a narrower wick and shorter wick raising shaft. The lid repair could have done for a variety of reasons and you'll never know exactly why. On some of the later Handlans, (1920's?)the globe retainer and spring are held in with a spot welded piece and it's not removable. Hopefully someone can confirm the markings for sure, I'm just offering a possibility. Posted Thursday, February 18, 2016 by JFR

A. Some where along the line someone replaced the correct Handlan burner with one that was made for an Adlake lantern or lamp. Posted Thursday, February 18, 2016 by JK

A. The top is typical of late tall globe Handlan lanterns and the frame is a late model tall Handlan style also, so a repair wouldn't make me too suspicious. Lanterns could get pretty abused so repairs did happen. Handlan didn't have the greatest quality control so a sloppy marking also isn't that unusual. That is the typical marking style for late tall Handlan lanterns and later 4-1/2 and 3-1/4 globe Handlans. It's probably from the 1920's and someone took a font/burner from stock and replaced the original Handlan one. Since the NYSRR also used Adlake lanterns a switch on the RR itself is very plausible since they would be in store. Posted Saturday, February 20, 2016 by BobF

 Q3111 Switch Lamp Lens   I’ve looked through the message board and tried some research on my own and I still have a question regarding the Fresnel lenses in switch lamps. I picked up a couple of Dressel switch lamps recently. One has Corning and the other has Kopp 5 3/8 lenses. The Kopp lenses have 4 steps and the Corning lenses have 5 steps. What's the difference? Is the light somehow focused differently, can it be seen better at longer distances etc. etc? I just wasn't able find out any information on any advantage to having more or less steps. Any help would be greatly appreciated and thanks for your time.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Friday, February 12, 2016 by Gary A   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Contact (email)the Corning Museum of Glass. (Link 1). They helped me out with a question about a WWII era US Navy Fresnel globe I have. "Contact" button is at bottom of page. btw: The Kopp vs Corning Fresnel lantern globes have a different number of steps also 5 vs 6. Link 1  Posted Saturday, February 13, 2016 by BC

A. Link didn't work. Can't edit post here so try www.cmog.org Posted Saturday, February 13, 2016 by BC

A.  I took this one to a good friend of mine who worked for the railroad for many years. Here's what he said: --- "The earlier Corning lenses (1935 design) had the same number of concentric rings as the present Kopp design. Check it out with your lenses. The later design added more rings to the Corning lenses. The only reason I heard for the new design, and that’s from a supplier rep, is that the new design used less glass,was thinner walled and kept the price point down,but didn’t sacrifice brilliance or beam power. Makes good business sense. The other reason given to me was the better,more uniform distribution of color tint throughout the lense. Just like in globes,the thicker parts tended to be of a deeper color.And in tall globes,that showed as a deeper color toward the top of the globe structure. This may be mostly conjecture,but the salesmen for the railroad suppliers usually had good info." ---- .... Red Beard  Posted Saturday, February 13, 2016 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. Thank you all very much for the great information! It was extremely helpful. After disassembling these and cleaning them up for display, I’ve noticed a few subtle differences even though they are both Dressel lamps. The lenses are one of those differences. Again, thanks for your help. I appreciate it. Posted Saturday, February 13, 2016 by Gary

 Q3106 Pyle National Headlight Question  I purchased a Pyle National headlight a couple of years ago which I was told was removed from a Canadian National steam locomotive in the 1950s. Being a member of the camp of 'trust but verify' I've been looking for pictures of locomotives with this exact type of headlight but have yet to find one on any railway in Canada or the US with the same loop pin holding the bezel on the left with the butterfly clasp locking the glass on the right. Most headlights have different latching systems; either a butterfly clasp that folds back or more of a hook-type latch. The headlight has a 14 inch glass and cast into the bottom of the bezel is 1417 NO (though it could be a KO); the diameter of the light is the same throughout - not tapered. The reflector inside has stamped on it 14014 Non Glare 11 PN 89. The copper tag is a bit corroded but appears to have a RR record no. of c24G CPW. Can anyone tell me about this headlight or to which railroad this record number belongs? I think the style dates from 1925 and my suspicion is if it was from a CNR engine, it was most likely removed from a tender some of which appear to have had similar, older style headlights. Thank you for any help you can provide.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, February 7, 2016 by Jason   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. The mounting arrangement between the door and the headlight casing is not unusual for Pyle lights. It just looks like somebody replaced the usual bent wire hinge pin with the one you have, with the longer wire and loop. That could have happened any time in the life of the headlight. It would have been much easier to install the hinge pin you have, and not worry about having to bend the usual very stiff, thick wire one and take the chance of breaking the cast aluminum hinges. Headlights and backup lights were always taking a beating, and its entirely possible and would be entirely typical if the door and maybe the reflector you have did not start life on this headlight body.  Posted Sunday, February 7, 2016 by RJMc

 Q3105 Piper Lamp Questions  I bought the lamp [at left] at a local auction & have been collecting for over 40 years & haven't seen one like this before. It's a N.L. Piper Toronto with a soldered on brass plate. It's unfortunate that it's in very rough condition, but that's how it was found! It is large (Approx. 20 inches high & missing two lenses- two left are -one Red -one clear. They seem to be fresnel type glass. My main question is: what was it used for??? I collect all types of lanterns & have approx. 100 different ones. Any info is appreciated! While I'm at it please see other unknown make lantern with green glass all around and about 14 inches high [at right]. I also would appreciate knowing what it was used for??? The dealer I bought it from thought it was used on a barge?? The interior is also badly rusted,but the font is there.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, February 4, 2016 by Larry H   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. For your pic on the left, Barrett's Illustrated Encyc. of RR Lighting, Vol. 2, pg 254-255 in my softbound copy, has a pic of what appears to be this exact lamp labelled PIP BR-12, Swing Bridge Lamp. Theirs did not have a tag, but they thought it was from the late 1800's and (as yours confirms) made by Piper in Toronto. Theirs (which is in much better condition) had red and blue lenses.  Posted Thursday, February 4, 2016 by RJMc

A. For your pic on the right, Barrett Vol. 2 shows some very similar ones under Armspear, and says that co. in the 1920's supplied this style of lamp for several different functions by changing brackets, lens configuarations, etc. On pg. 111, under Barrett's designation ARM UN-01 (for 'UNknown purpose'), they say that the bolt-down holes in the base indicate a bridge lamp but the curlicue in the bail (not quite visible whether yours has that) would indicate a grade crossing lamp. The one they show had red lenses and they speculate it was for a highball signal. Your more green lenses suggest to me a navigation marker (bridge) light.  Posted Thursday, February 4, 2016 by RJMc

 Q3102 Battery Marker Lamps  Were the older battery operated caboose marker lamps -- the ones made out of metal like the ones on PRR and Penn Central -- steady burn or did they flash? I have two, one made by McDermott, it's a PRR and the other is a Penn Central. One flashes; the other is steady burn. Thanks.  Posted Monday, February 1, 2016 by RT   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. It was the railroad's choice. And on systems as big as PRR and PC it is entirely possible they used both at different places and times. When the FRA wrote its 'High Visibility Marker' rule, whether to require or not require, allow or not allow flashing was a major discussion point. Neither side of the argument was convincing enough, or powerful enough to dictate a solution one way or the other. Similar debate over colors; red, orange, or yellow? So the rule allows using either flashing OR constant, and uses highly technical language on color spectra to really say "Any color in between red, orange, and yellow is OK." Generally flashing the lamp gives longer battery life, and with modern strobe light circuits can deliver (arguably) higher visibility and that approach has been the trend. But the 'to flash or not to flash' debate has gone on for a very long time. The link describes how even kerosene lanterns could be made to blink on and off, although the method apparently wasn't reliable enough to gain any acceptance on US RR's.  Posted Wednesday, February 3, 2016 by RJMc

 Q3101 Loco Headlamp?  I have researched and researched this item which appears to be a locomotive headlight but i have not been able to confirm since I can't find any info on General Electric Co making one. Can you help me figure out the origins of this item? It was my grandfathers and he recently passed away. Thanks.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, February 1, 2016 by SU   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Hello SU,I am quite certain that your headlight is off an interurban car or possible a streetcar.The interurban use is my guess as they were portable in nature and the crews took them and the marker lamps off the train after each run.This is evidenced by the hanger hooks on the back of the body.Lets see what the others say about your headlight.DJB Posted Tuesday, February 2, 2016 by DJB

A. Hi, The clips on the back have me leaning towards streetcar also. I agree with DJB with his thinking. Posted Tuesday, February 2, 2016 by JN

A. A streetcar or interurban application is a very good possibility. The 'steam railroads' also used this type of light to illuminate back up moves. This is indicated by the screw clamps at the bottom of the hanger straps; the hooks drop down over the top of the folding gate, and the screw clamps lock the light to a lower section of the folding gate in the vestibule of a passenger car. For example, I was told the Bessemer and Lake Erie RR at one time ran a daily local passenger train up a stub end branch line, and had to back down all the way on the return. A light like this was on the back end. Most of the travellers on the train were kids going to school and back, and all winter a lot of the trip was in the dark so the light was essential.  Posted Tuesday, February 2, 2016 by RJMc

A. Looking more closely at the current example, those are not screw clamps at the base, they are rubber bumpers. Most interurbans had just a single bar to hang the headlight on, so the bumpers were needed, and adjustable, to keep the headlight from banging around against the front of the car due to the play in the hooks. This makes the interurban application most likely. Another clue, (except in this case not available because this light seems to have been rewired)would be the type of plug. Many interurbans used a fairly large wooden-handled plug with long two round prongs; most RR's used a much smaller screw-base type plug or a even a typical flat two-prong plug similar to household use.  Posted Tuesday, February 2, 2016 by RJMc

 Q3099 ATSF Marker Lamp  I received a caboose marker lamp for Christmas and trying to get an approximate of when this would have been used or was made. It is an Adlake, marked as Santa Fe. Was originally kerosene, but was converted to electric. The only other markings are 'S47359' and 'CL 31 X'.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, January 26, 2016 by CS   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A.  Santa Clause was good to you this year! – Of all the lamps I have, my Santa Fe marker is one of my favorites; noticeably smaller than other markers and with a graceful and distinctive shape. – These are a variation of the ADLAKE model 63 lamp (LINK 1) – Though the AT&SF switch and marker lamps “all look alike”, there are some subtle differences. Yours has the typical flat cap of the “later” majority of ATSF lamps, but still has the ADLAKE patent date tag on the stack. Very early ones had a blank domed cap and some had the ADLAKE domed cap. Later flat cap ones did not have the patent info tag. – My theory is that Santa Fe eventually bought the stamping dies from ADLAKE and made the lamps themselves. -- They even made order board lamps and semaphore lamps out of the same body! - – The tag 'S47359', is serial number and each one I’ve seen has a different number; BUT not all Markers have the serial number tag; However, EVERY switch lamp I’ve seen has the serial number. My theory is that during WWII, with metal shortages and overwhelming increases in traffic, the Santa Fe converted some switch lamps with the serial number tag into markers. They also converted a number of boxcars into side door cabooses due to war time traffic demands. The basic body is the same for the marker and switch lamps, and the bases (cast aluminum) with the cast in “Santa Fe” lettering is the same on both lamps (though there are slight variation in "Santa Fe" lettering on the cast aluminum bases as well). If you take the fork tubes off the switch lamps you see that the switch lamp bases have the same 8 indexing holes that the marker bases have; only difference being the attachable fork tubes and the attachable mounting bracket on the markers. – As the model 63 ADLAKE lamp dates back to the early 1900s, and yours has the patent date tag, I’d guess it could date to the 1920s +/-. The fact that it was electrified could mean a number of things; cabooses weren’t electrified until the 1960s. Some steam engines and streamline passenger cars got electric outlet sockets for markers back into the 1930s. See questions ; Q1392, Q2514 for more discussion ---- …. Red Beard  Link 1  Posted Wednesday, January 27, 2016 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

 Q3097 Brass Wall Mount Oil Lamp  I have a heavy ornate brass wall RR lamp stand 18 inch tall by 10 1/2 in depth. Marking as follows: the bottom of the oil/ kerosene bowl inscribed: Post & Co Makers Cincinnati, Oh. The wick turn knob inscribed: The Plume & Atwood Mfg. Co. USA.; the top stack reads: Adams & Westlake Company, Chicago. I trying to obtain some information about this lamp. I appreciate any information. Thank you,   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, January 26, 2016 by Charles   Post a Reply  Email a reply

 Q3096 Adams & Westlake Model #200-#250  I just bought 2 Adams & Westlake lanterns at an estate sale. According to information they are both from 1930 to 1935 with the short 3-1/2 inch red globes. Wanted to see if you could tell me how to add kero to them? I have opened the tops and removed the globes. The wick control works good on one; the other needs a little work on it but it does work. The numbers stamped in the top are # 27479 and # 24994. Any help with these would be great.  Posted Saturday, January 23, 2016 by Greg N   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Hi, just lift out the whole tank assembly (oil tank, called the Fount) gently twist the burner (the part that holds the wick)counter-clockwise about 1/4 turn and remove it. It might be a little stuck so don.t apply too much force. Once you remove it and remove the burner just pour in your oil (I prefer scentless lamp oil) and reattach the burner.. The oil fount may have waste cloth (called batting) in it. You can either leave it in or remove it just by pulling it out. It won't affect the operation if you pull it out, and pulling it out an keep it from absorbing moisture and possibly rotting out the fount. Posted Saturday, January 23, 2016 by JN

 Q3089 Lamp ID Needed  Here are a couple of pictures of a lamp my Father had. I was wondering is anyone has an idea as to what it's purpose was and history of who and when it might have been manufactured? It appears to be all brass or copper, has a kerosene container with a wick inside, clear glass, and folding handles on the back. Other than the flat bottom, there is no holes or hooks for 'hanging' the lamp. I do not see any manufacturer's name tag on it. Thank you.  [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, January 13, 2016 by John G   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Hello John, there are 2 possibilities that come too mind. Because the flame of the burner is below the glass insert, it is apparent that not too much light was wanted. Also the air inlet holes at that location would not give much leaked light. One use would be a darkroom light with the outside swing red glass missing. The second possible use would be as a binnacle light for a compass card. The extra hinge pins showing would allow the lantern to swing against the back of the binnacle, and seal against light leakage. However all this is conjecture.. Posted Friday, March 11, 2016 by Mike Dolan

 Q3088 Changing Lantern Battery  How do I change the battery in the 292 model?  Posted Monday, January 11, 2016 by NoName   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. This is a Star Lantern Co. electric model. See prior Q 2908 on this Board all about the batteries and how to change them, and many other questions under "Star Lantern" in the word or phrase search here on this site. Star Lantern Co. maintains a good website (see Links) also on all of their earlier and current models of these lanterns which are were and are very widely used on the RR's.  Link 1  Link 2  Posted Tuesday, January 12, 2016 by RJMc

 Q3086 Inspector Lantern  I recently purchased a Dietz Acme inspector lamp. The last patent date is March 8 1910, there is no production date, it has a tall square handle, no bail or holes, the tubes are smooth, there is a release lever for the reflector, the reflector is hollow glass, the globe has a mark which may be a pontil mark or a zero, the fill port is steel, the fill cap is cup shaped steel, it has a reinforced hang hole. Does anyone have information especially a time span this variant would have been manufactured? It seems to be an amalgam of #0 inspector and trackwalker/protector parts. Was it made to use up parts? I've seen pics. of the curved handle and lower square handled lanterns which both have bails. This lantern appears appears to be a transition model but why the lack of a bail?   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, January 4, 2016 by DT   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Hi DT, I too have seen photos of this lantern with out a bail, and I know from years of collecting and speaking with railroad employees that different railroads were able to order their lanterns to different specifications which they desired. The collection of different parts is not surprising. Many times as parts failed or were broken they were replaced with parts from other lanterns. Sorry, I don't know about the timespan when they were made, you may want to send an email to Woody at W.T Kirkman in California, he is somewhat of a Dietz expert and very friendly. Steve B. Posted Saturday, January 16, 2016 by Steve B

 Q3085 'K in Circle' Kopp Globe  I purchased a Hunter/Spruce green Blizzard lantern made in 1950. It has a blue Kopp globe. I read that Kopp started made lantern globes in 1926. Do they still make these lantern globes? If not when did they stop production? Thank you.  Posted Sunday, January 3, 2016 by DT   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Hi, Kopp still makes globes. As a matter of fact, if you purchase a new Kero Lantern from Adlake it comes with a Kopp globe. Posted Sunday, January 3, 2016 by JN

 Q3081 Dietz Vesta  Could anyone tell me how to remove the chimney on a Dietz Vesta lantern ? I have a Vesta that I would like to switch the chimney to one in better condition. Also this lantern is marked MRR on the top, I was told that this lantern could be from either the Montour Railroad or the Monongahela Railroad. Would the Dietz company use the same marking for both railroads? Or are the markings different? Can anyone tell me what railroad this lantern is from? Thank you in advance for any help in this matter.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, December 31, 2015 by Dave N.   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Hi, I have 24 different Vestas and this one is from the Monongahela RR. which was part of the NYCS. I have seen several of these over the years. I do not believe Dietz made Vestas for the Montour RR. Posted Monday, January 4, 2016 by wdpdepot

A. The Railroadiana Railroad marking mystery Page states that both the Montour and the Monongahela Railroads both used the MRR marking before 1915. The Monongahela RR was reorganized in 1915 and changed its name to Railway ( Abbreviated to RY ) The Monongahela from 1015 on then used the MRY marking. this Lantern has a manufacture date of January 1939 so it was made well after the Monongahela RR marking change from MRR to MRY. Posted Monday, January 4, 2016 by Dave N.

 Q3079 Lantern Cleaning W/O Lye  I was cleaning out my father's home and came across this Soo Line Lantern. The lantern appears complete and in decent ‎shape. Other than a cleaning I don't think it needs much restoration. The questions I have: ‎what method do you recommend to clean it without using the lye or other methods on your restoration page to simply clean it? And how does it work? The fuel reservoir is full of cotton or some other material and there isn't a wick. I'm not sure if the material in the tank is also a wick or if I can insert a wick. Any advice or point to a resource page is appreciated. Thanks   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, December 27, 2015 by Mark   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A.  Hi, That lantern looks in good shape. I would use a sponge and dish detergent just to wipe it down and dry it off good. I wouldn't try to clean it too much. Grime and dents are part of the character of any lantern that put in years of service. The material in the oil fount is called batting. It is supposed to be in there. That kept the oil from sloshing around and from spilling since signal lanterns like this got swung around for signaling the engineer. The batting is kind of a double-edge sword. It is supposed to be in there when the lantern was used. However, it can also trap water and rust out the oil fount. You can keep it there or take it out. It is totally your choice. The lantern will work fine without it. As for a wick, most good hardware or camping store have many sizes of wicks available and if you take the lantern with you I am sure you can find one to fit. If you light the lantern don't set the flame high enough to produce smoke. I use odorless lamp oil. You don't have to use kerosene. Enjoy the lantern. It is a nice treasure. JN Posted Monday, December 28, 2015 by JN

A. All of the above is good advice....Just be aware that the wick size choice can be a little tricky and needs some care. For example there are sizes such as 1/2", 5/8", and 3/4" which do not have much visible difference without a close look. See prior Q 2238 on this Board and also you can enter "wick" in the word or phrase search to see lots of discussion. In general, the correct wick will be snug and fill the tube so that the flame can not 'sneak past' into the fuel supply. But not 'stuffed in' to the point that it jams the wick raising mechanism. And a handy trick for starting a wick for the first time is to trim the wick end and use some masking tape to make a 'leader' to run thru the tube first, pulling the wick along behind. A properly sized soft new wick will not require a whole lot of muscle to pull thru this way, using the wick raiser to help move it; but 'pulling on rope' has ALWAYS worked better than trying to push on it. Posted Monday, December 28, 2015 by RJMc

A. Thanks for the feedback. several more questions: If I keep the batting in the container how does the wick get in there as the canister is packed tight with the batting. also, does the canister come out? it appears in other pictures that the canister can come out but mine looks to be in there very snuggly and I don't want to try and force it out. thank you Posted Tuesday, January 5, 2016 by Mark

A. You may find the instruction sheet helpful, newly listed in the Archives section of this website (see Link). The batting was originally very soft and flexible and it was easy to just push it out of the way enough to make a central hole for the wick, which needs to reach the bottom of the fount (fuel pot.) If your batting is all hardened up with age, moistening it with some of the fuel you will use may help; then try pushing it out of the way with something like a dinner knife. If this doesn't work, consider pulling it out and replacing it (or not replacing it, your choice.) The fount definitely comes out, and they were always made to be a very snug fit. Hot soaking, WD40, PB Blaster, gentle heating -- a hair dryer is a good start, are all possible treatments. Once the burner and wick raiser are out, the fuel pot will (should) be able to turn in the base, and that may help work it loose. If the fount is rusted in, there are more aggressive treatments but they get into harsher chemicals (lye, for example); try the more gentle techniques first.  Link 1  Posted Tuesday, January 5, 2016 by RJMc

 Q3078 Date of Handlan Lantern?  I ran across a Handlan short red globe lantern. I was wondering if anyone can help me about the year it was made in? Thanks.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Friday, December 25, 2015 by JB   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A.  That is a Handlan #355 lantern and they may have produced it until sometime in the 1960's. All of those dates that are on the bottom are patent dates and none are production dates. I am looking at a similar lantern and all of those dates are on it also. In "The illustrated encyclopedia Of railroad Lighting-Volume One-The Railroad Lantern" they say that a 1956 Handlan catalog that was obtained from the factory in 1970 shows the lantern with a "Discontinued" rubber stamp across the listing.  Posted Saturday, December 26, 2015 by KM

A. Are you sure? I mean I know nothing about it but I pulled up a 355 and this one looks different. Posted Saturday, December 26, 2015 by JB

A. 3 4 13 - 5 18 15 - 1 31 22 - 12 8 23 - 5 5 25 - 4 2 28 - 7 10 28 are the numbers on the bottom and there likes like to be a horseshoe with some letters in the middle of it made into the globe itself. Posted Saturday, December 26, 2015 by JB

A. As to looking different, Handlan made this lantern so that it could accommodate either a 4-1/2" tall globe or the "standard" 3-1/4" shorty globe. The top globe retainer would be the difference. Also earlier Handlan lanterns of this model had a taller top chimney. As the years went by they shortened the top chimney like yours. This looks like one of the later production models from the 1960's. Posted Saturday, December 26, 2015 by bobf

A.  The link is for the lantern catalog page from the 1956 Handlan catalog that is in the Railroadiana Library. It shows the #355 and syas it takes the #250 globe which would be the short globe like you have. My #345 lantern which is marked NYCS has those exact same dates on the bottom, but given the almost new condition of it I think that it is from the 50's or 60's. It also has a green globe and I remember seeing lanterns like it in the tower at Berea, OH and the tower at the lakefront by Bridge 1 in Cleveland. I also have two other #345 or #355 lanterns that are marled W&LE and CCC&StL, and they have the same patent dates on the bottom, and I do not see any difference in th eheight of the tops on them. The W&LE lantern has the heavy locomotive base and the bottom of the lantern is rounded not flat like the other two, but it still has those dates embossed into it. Is there a railroad name or initials on your lantern, that might help you date it?  Link 1  Posted Sunday, December 27, 2015 by KM

A.  The horseshoe with the letters in it is the Corning Glass trade mark. Posted Sunday, December 27, 2015 by KM

 Q3076 Adlake Lamp  I am trying to identify this 17 inch high Adlake lamp: its use, date, and whether it takes oil or acetylene. Any help is appreciated. Many thanks.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Saturday, December 19, 2015 by PD   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. thats a gas lamp they used it in all sorts of different rail cars like parler cars dinning cars train stations even homes, its dates back to the 1800s Posted Saturday, December 19, 2015 by trm

 Q3071 Fresnel Globes  I know that there has been a number of questions in reference to fresnel globes but I have not seen an answer to this question. Is there a reason for the number of rings around the globe? I've seen some with 5 rings, some with 6? Were all RR related lanterns that used that style globe have the same number of rings? Thanks,  Posted Monday, December 14, 2015 by RLN   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Corning Fresnel RR globes had 6 rings, 2 on the bottom and 4 on top where as Kopp also had 6 rings and had an even 3 on the bottom and 3 on top. Both were used in RR lanterns. Haven't seen any with 5 rings. I don't know why 6 rings seemed to be chosen maybe that was optimum for a vertical space of 3 1/4 inches. Posted Tuesday, December 15, 2015 by GH

A. The width of each ring, the number of rings, and their placement on the globe determine the outgoing light pattern with the globe acting as a concentrating lens for the light. The RR's may have had standards which defined acceptable designs. The RR's standardized almost everything about lanterns, to keep spare parts inventories down and to minimize replacement costs. There are also some patents on Fresnel globes and that may have caused some variations. The Link is to a website which deals generally with highway warning lanterns, which almost universally used Fresnel globes, but they were made by the same mfgrs. and as the website notes they were often interchangeable with or very similar to their RR lantern products. Link 1  Posted Wednesday, December 16, 2015 by RJMc

 Q3066 Deitz Vesta Fonts  I am interested in buying a particular Vesta lantern that is missing the burner and fuel pot. I have seen these fuel pots both with ribs and without the ribs. Are they interchangeable with all vesta lanterns? Any help in assuring that I buy the right fuel pot to fit this lantern will be greatly appreciated !  Posted Tuesday, December 1, 2015 by Dave N.   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. The link is for a more detailed article about Vestas that is posted in the Railroadiana Library. Link 1  Posted Wednesday, December 2, 2015 by KM

A.  The smooth and ribbed fonts for Vestas are interchangeable. The smooth font is older, a 1938 blueprint drawing shows the crimped or serrated edge font and that was used until 1960 when they stopped producing the Vesta. The production date on the top of the lantern was used sometime after the mid 1920's, it is usually the last number in the list of patent dates and it will begin with an "S" for Syracuse plant followed by the month and year of production.  Posted Wednesday, December 2, 2015 by KM

A. Thank you for all the helpful information on Vesta lanterns. With this information I will now be able to purchase the correct font for the date of manufacture of this lantern. I had no idea that Vesta lanterns had a manufacture date stamped on the top. I had to look very hard to find it as it is stamped in such small letters. Thank you for the knowledge that you have provided. D.B.N  Link 1  Posted Wednesday, December 2, 2015 by DBN

A. There are 4 styles of smooth side Vesta founds that I have found: The smooth side fount similar in size to the ribbed side fount. These were used on the earliest short Vestas. There are 3 larger capacity smooth side founts found on tall Vestas. One has a stepped bottom edge, similar to the bottom edge of the smaller smooth side fount. Then there are two large smooth side founts with a rounded bottom edge and these come in both threaded burner (pretty rare) and the familiar slip in burner. Some of the burners on these early rounded edge Vesta founts will occasionally turn up with a noticeably smaller wick raising knob. Unfortunately due the interchangeability of all these founts, it's a challenge to figure out a time line for these changes in style.  Posted Tuesday, December 8, 2015 by JFR

 Q3065 H.B. Mfg Co Conductor's Lantern  I recently picked up a brass conductor's lantern, the style is very similar to Adam's Westlake, but the only marking reads 'H.B. Mfg Co'. I'm wondering if anyone has any information about this manufacturer? A full name, dates of operation, or location of the company would be fantastic. Thanks!   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, November 30, 2015 by NH   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A.  The Railroadiana Library has a 1918 Handlan catalog which shows the "Daisy" model 195 lantern. See the link for the page from that catalog. Link 1  Posted Wednesday, December 2, 2015 by KM

A.  Handlan Buck Manufacturing Co. may be the name. A H Handlan bought out M M Buck in 1895 and the company name was changed in 1901 to Handlan Buck Manufacturing Co. This may be a "Daisy" conductor's lantern that was offered in their catalogs from 1887 until 1918. A drawing of this is shown in "The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Railroad Lighting:Volume One-The Railroad Lantern" on page 146. Handlan was located in St. Louis and remained in operation there until late in the Twentieth Century. Posted Wednesday, December 2, 2015 by KM

A. Thank you so much KM! The catalog image is fantastic, a perfect match. Posted Friday, December 4, 2015 by NH

 Q3064 Piper Lamp - Follow-up to #3032  This lamp was identified on your Question & Answer Board (Q3032). I have a couple of followup questions: 1. What would have been the original paint color of this lamp (the inside and around the lense was painted flat black but no idea if that was original or not)? 2. Where these lamps restricted to Canada (being Canada made) or were they sold internationally, e.g., to the Untied States? [See photo in #3032]. Many Thanks,  Posted Saturday, November 28, 2015 by John G.   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A.  As to paint: Lamps, (and through the first third of the 1900s, virtually all iron and steel car parts), were painted with “japan black” (lower case ‘j’). “japan black” paint , or lacquer, was made by dissolving Gilsonite in mineral spirits and often adding some carbon black. Gilsonite is a type of hard, brittle asphalt which is mined in Utah. (The Unitah Ry. was constructed just to haul the stuff!) As a paint, “japan black” is soft, but very durable. It sticks tenaciously to metal without primer, and is flexible enough to stretch and shrink with the metal items as they expand and contract with heat and cold. When applied, it is very shiny, and over time muting to a more ‘egg shell’ finish. The finished appearance of japan black is unique, and in 40 years of trying, I’ve never found a replacement paint that accurately matches the soft sheen of japan black that has aged. Many people repaint lamps in a flat black. I’ve never seen a lamp with its original paint, at any age, that looked anything like the available variations of flat black. ---- …. Red Beard Posted Thursday, December 3, 2015 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. Red Beard, I've found the high heat semi-gloss from Rustoleum does a nice job on lamps. I hate the look of flat black (and it chips like crazy), and the high gloss looks terrible. Its a nice compromise that is both durable and attractive (and easy to apply).  Posted Monday, December 7, 2015 by jpnelson

A. JP; Thanks for that. I'll look for that product at the hardware store. -- Of Note: brand new, out of the box switch lamps had a very high gloss sheen to them; though distinctly different from the high gloss of Rustoleum or Krylon. ---- .... Red Beard Posted Friday, December 11, 2015 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

 Q3062 Lamp/Lantern ID?  I acquired a really large lantern this week... about 2 foot square, tin with red and green lens which are about 12 inch diameter. Not sure if this is a RR or ships light? Any ideas? Regards,   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, November 25, 2015 by RA   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Barrett's Illustrated Encyclopedia of RR Lighting Vol. 2 shows an Adlake No. 199 Drawbridge Light, sold between 1907 thru the 1940's. The Adlake is functionally similar to yours, with red and green 8 3/8" diameter lenses, and also had a white Fresnel lens inside, but had a chimney set up for a kerosene burner while yours looks to have been electrically lit, since there is no effective ventilation. Other manufacturers such as Handlan made very similar lamps for drawbridge service; the 8 3/8" lens diameter seems to have been a standard.  Posted Wednesday, November 25, 2015 by RJMc

A. Thanks so much for the help! Actually it was made in Toronto Ontario by Piper and Son makers of Lamps and Chandeliers! 18 something or other. regards  Posted Saturday, November 28, 2015 by Roger

 Q3061 Dressel Lamp Info?  Can you tell me anything about this? It's make by Dressel and says stimsonite on the reflector. Any information would be appreciated!   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, November 25, 2015 by AK   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Appears to have been converted from a glass lens oil burning lamp to a (plastic?) lens reflector lamp for some reason in its history. Maybe a gate crossing lamp? Others here may know exactly. Posted Friday, November 27, 2015 by GL

 Q3059 Dressel Lamp Date Range?  Good Day All! I'm trying to find out the approximate age of a Dressel Switch lamp I picked up here a while back. I've searched around the Q&A section here but have not been able to get some kind of a date range. It has a round top marked 'Dressel' in the center with 'Arlington N.J U.S.A.' around the outside. The only other marking is 'ERIE' in the center mounting socket on the bottom which I assume is the Erie Railroad. There are no other markings. It's not electric, the front slides up to access the inside and has 2 blue/green and 2 amber Corning 5 3/8 lenses with the lens hoods. Any help with dating this lamp would be greatly appreciated. I'm sure these were made for quite a while but any sort of date range would be great. Thanks for your time!   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, November 23, 2015 by Gary    Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. I would guess mid 1920's to mid 1930's. Just a guess based on the flame peephole on the lamp body. Earlier Dressels would have a different style name stamping on top. Later ones wouldn't have the peephole.  Posted Tuesday, November 24, 2015 by JFR

A. Thanks so much for the reply and information JFR! I didn't think it was quite that old so it's good info to have. Thanks again! Gary Posted Wednesday, November 25, 2015 by Gary

 Q3058 Help with Switch Lantern/Lamp Model  Can anyone help me to identify a switch lantern manufacturer and model? I remember seeing my Grandfather;s lantern as a child and I also remember how much he treasured his lantern, I do not have a picture of the switch lantern in question as I only have a vague mental picture from my childhood. The lantern that he possessed was a large 4 sided lantern with day targets as large as dinner plates and had a bell shaped base,He often remarked that the bell bottom made it somehow stand out from similar lanterns, It seemed to be larger than any of the lanterns that I have seen anywhere, My Grandfather worked for the Pennsylvania RR as a fireman. he passed on years ago and I would like to find a lantern of this type to remember our time together. Any and all help in identifying this lantern would be greatly appreciated. Sorry that's all the information that I have to aid in the identification.  Posted Saturday, November 21, 2015 by David N, Coraopolis, Pa    Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. The best way is to go to Ebay and look up Railroad Lanterns. There are many different ones on there at any given time. You may find one that resembles what you remember. Good lick with your quest. Without a picture, the only one who knows about the lantern is you. Posted Sunday, November 22, 2015 by JN

A. I took your advice and looked at all the types, models and manufacturers of switch lamps on E-bay, and low and behold I do believe that I was taken back in time and found myself viewing the same type of switch lantern as my Grandfather's. I Believe the switch lamp to be an Adlake model 169 with day targets. I am now actively looking to purchase this type of lantern. Thank you for your help in steering me in the right direction. Dave N. Coraopolis, Pa.  Posted Tuesday, December 1, 2015 by DBN

 Q3056 ATSF Lamp  I don’t normally collect Santa Fe lamps, as I am a SP & Pacific Electric lamp Collector. I kind of fell in love with the look of this lamp, but I suspect it is a railroad globe on a basic barn type lamp. Cannot find a reference to it on Key, Lock & Lantern site. Am I right, or was this used on the Santa Fe as it is? Any information you could share would help me to decide if I want to purchase it or not.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, November 17, 2015 by FJ   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A.  I don't remember having seen any Santa Fe marked barn lanterns but if one was marked in this way it would have been an etched marking more than likely. This looks like a well executed decal applied to a an old globe and artificially aged. Look closely at how the sunlight reflects off the upper right corner of the marking or if you have access to it, run your finger over the marking. Even a silk screened marking such as on soda water bottles from the 1930s and 40s should raise alarm bells when found on a railroad globe. Posted Tuesday, November 17, 2015 by MG

A. Back in the late 1960's new Dietz lanterns with globes like this (applied decals) were marketed to the general public at retail. I even remember them being sold at either Walgreen's or Woolworth's. Since the globe size is standard, I suspect that one of those late 1960's globes was inserted in an older frame. It is NOT railroad issue. Posted Tuesday, November 17, 2015 by bobf

A. If this is a decal (and it looks like it is), we mention a fake with the Santa Fe logo on one of our web pages .. see link. Link 1  Posted Wednesday, November 18, 2015 by Web Editor

A. A seller on that well known auction site recently had several of these decaled barn lantern globes from various railroads for sale, including a Northern Pacific one with the incorrect Monad logo - turned 90 degrees from where it should be. The globes were in various rusty barn lantern frames, headlined as "rare", and priced at $250. No one bid, so the price dropped to $50 and the NP one sold, but not sure about the Santa Fe lantern.  Posted Friday, November 20, 2015 by JEM

 Q3052 Steel Clad Lantern  I purchased a Dietz Steel Clad lantern that has an E.R.R.Co. globe in it. Both the lantern and globe show no signs of use (not overly cleaned to look unused). Dealer stated globe was in the lantern when he bought it and had no details on origin. Frame, of course, is not marked. Is this a legitimate Erie lantern? Did a cost-conscious Erie purchase Steal Clad frames for an existing stock of globes, or did someone just stick an Erie globe in an unmarked frame? Also, can anyone give me some general facts about Steel Clads, especially prevalence of railroad use? Thanks much,   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, November 16, 2015 by Steve   Post a Reply  Email a reply

 Q3051 PRR Keystone Logo on Globe  I recently purchased a Pennsylvania R.R. Keystone 'Casey' Lantern – the patent dates along the outer rim are of 1902 and 1903. The globe is a clear Corning with the Cnx logo on one side and the PRR Keystone logo on the other side. The lid of lantern is stamped P.R.R. I recently came across you article about Fakes and Counterfeits and just wanted to know if the Pennsylvania R.R. ever marked their globes with the PRR Keystone Logo. Thank you.  Posted Sunday, November 15, 2015 by Phillip   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Is the PRR logo cast, or etched, into the globe? Posted Sunday, November 15, 2015 by RJMc

A. PRR had cast 5-3/8 logo globes. The logo is pretty small, about 7/8" or so tall. PRR also had etched globes with the PRR logo, having a larger size logo. Posted Friday, November 20, 2015 by bobf

 Q3046 Piper Switch Lanterns  Greetings all, I have 2 Piper CNR switch lanterns, the 1st one is made of cast metal and is in pretty tough shape, the second is newer and is in good shape with all its parts and is made of galvanized metal. My question is if anyone knows the age of these and if there is a way to tell by looking at them?  Posted Tuesday, November 10, 2015 by JW   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Send a photo Posted Wednesday, November 11, 2015 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. These are the pictures of the two lanterns in question. They both are CNR HL Piper lanterns, they both had plastic lenses in the wrong color combinations. The first is the newer of the two made from galvanized metal. The second had been hit but something and is in tough shape and is made from cast metals. Any info that could be provided would be greatly appreciated. Link 1  Posted Friday, November 13, 2015 by JW

A. Hi JW I live in Canada and have a couple of these myself. The oldest ones were made of brass. I would speculate that the ones made next were the cast ones, then the ones which were galvanized sheet steel. The two I have are both galvanized sheet metal with some cast steel parts on the bottom. The collars that held the lenses are brass on both of mine, and painted black. As for exact age, it may be hard, if not impossible to tell. I have seen photos dating as late as 1979 showing switch stands complete with the kero lamps in use in Toronto. I know that the earliest lamps used the standard fresnel lamp lenses, then some were updated to lenses made of stimsonite (a type of reflective plastic). Those were the first form of reflectorized 'targets' in use on switch stands. I have a CNR manual from 1974 which describes the stimsonite option when ordering these lamps. As the lenses were constantly being changed and updated, even looking at the lenses won't give you an exact date of manufacture for the lamp itself. As the Piper lamps were made from Adlake plans with permission, I would see if you can compare your lamps to known (and dated) Adlake plans, that may be an option to estimate the date yours were made, unless you can see a date stamp under all that old paint. Happy collecting! Steve B. Posted Sunday, November 15, 2015 by Steve B.

A. Wow, Steve, great information. Thanks. -- Could you scan or photo copy that CNR manual and send it to the web editor for use on this site?? -- thanks. ---- .... Red Beard Posted Friday, November 20, 2015 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

 Q3043 Caboose Lamp?  I believe this to be a Caboose Lantern, or other type of signal lamp, however I've been unable to find anything similar to it searching for RR lamps. It has no name of a RR or of the manufacturer. It measures approximately 14 in tall by 5 in wide by 5-1/2 in deep and had three flat lenses with the option of any one of the three being in use at any one time or possibly two together as one position is stationary. They would have measured 4-1/2 square, the glass in the stationary position could be removed or replaced through a slot located under a flap on the top of the lamp, the other two through an open slot in the top of the swinging glass holder. The two swinging positions, when not in use slide inside secured with a sliding pin. The rear has tang used to attach the lamp to a flat surface. The rear opens for access to the burner, directly behind the burner is a convex mirror like surface to focus or intensify the light. Any help would be greatly appreciated!   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, November 8, 2015 by Steve U   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Hi Steve, I can't give you a positive identification, but the design of your lamp, particularly the chimney, looks French. Possibly a dwarf signal lamp or a side lamp from a "fourgon", the French name for a caboose. Posted Thursday, November 19, 2015 by JAJ

 Q3038 Dayton Lamp Burner  I bought this Dayton lamp today, I am trying to find out the correct burner for this lamp. It has an HG Moehring burner which is period, but I still would like some input. Thanks Jason   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, October 27, 2015 by Jason   Post a Reply  Email a reply

 Q3037 EMD Locomotive Light  I picked up this locomotive light. He said it came off an EMD engine. The light is not marked. If you turn the light with the visors on the bottom of the lenses the wingnuts are on the left side the way it is in the picture the wingnuts or on the right side. Which way should the visors be on the top or on the bottom of the lens? Can anybody shed any light on these lights? Thanks.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, October 27, 2015 by RT   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. i looked again and found Pyle logos under the wing nut hinges. om the back there is a number 14231 gb witch is a Pyle number.the light is 18 inches tall and 11 inches wide the sealed beams or 6 1/2 diameter think this light was made in the 1950s. it about 10 pounds.what locomotive would this be on.anyother info would help thanks Posted Wednesday, October 28, 2015 by rt

A. The visors are mounted above the bulbs to keep snow and ice off. See prior Q 978 on this site for a lot of discussion of exactly this type of headlight. The sealed beam-type bulbs became commercially available in the mid-1930's and this kind of Pyle mount was (and is) widely used as standard original equipment on diesels beginning as early as GP-7's and Alco RS's, where the carbody flat ends made these easy to mount. This same type of fixture was also mounted on a flat round blanking plate and retrofit onto many of the early diesels and even some steam locos, which had originally had large (250 Watt) screw-in headlight bulbs with glass reflectors and flat glass covers. The sealed beams provided brighter light and had no expensive somewhat fragile reflector or cover plate to maintain. So there is no way to tell for sure which of thousands of locos this might have operated on. The paint color is probably your best clue.  Posted Wednesday, October 28, 2015 by RJMc

A. thank you rjmc and red beard i have never seen a locomotive with sealed beem visors above the lights. if anyone has a picture of one please post it.iam goeing to mount this light and need to know witch way the visors go up or down thank you Posted Wednesday, October 28, 2015 by rt

A. This shows a set of shorter "hoods" on a U.P. GP30 ---- .... Red Beard Link 1  Posted Wednesday, October 28, 2015 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. ...AND, some railroads mounted the visors Under the lamps! -- As low hood GP and SD units from EMD came out, the headlamps were usually mounted right under the roof line above the windshield of the cab, rather than on the low nose of the unit (as on GP20, GP30 and low hood U-Boats). Some mounted headlamps in the nose and Mars lights above the windshield. -- Mounting the headlamps or a Mars light above the cab windshield, and therefore over the low hood, presented a brand new design for railroad engines, with associated issues never encountered before. One of those issues was having to deal with glare from light reflecting off the low hood deck; both sun light and headlamp reflection. Union Pacific dealt with general glare by painting the nose deck on cab units (E's and F's) or the hood deck on low hood GP & SD units, with a matte finish of deep green or light gray. Some roads put a high traction coating on noses and hoods that provided both traction for workers needing to stand on those surfaces for window cleaning or repairs, as well as glare reduction. -- Some roads like the CB&Q put hoods UNDER the sealed beam headlamps or Mars lights (LINK 1) to keep the glare off the hood surface in front of the windshield; Link 1 being the only photo I can find at the moment. Generally, headlamps produced enough heat that snow and ice buildup were not a problem. ---- .... Red Beard Link 1  Posted Wednesday, October 28, 2015 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. I stand corrected. Having now looked at many pix online, two things are clear. One is the visors are ONLY used when the light is above the windshields on low nose diesel units. This makes sense; the visors would just snag crewmen trying to cross the narrow walkway in front of the low nose, and mounted there the bulbs don't need protection. Second, when mounted above the windshields of low noses, the visors are always on the bottom, no doubt to control glare rather than any weather effects. This is true whether the light is the fixed main headlight or a Mars or Pyle gyrating light. Depending on how you plan to use the light, the PAR 56 No. 4545 bulbs are a good option; they are 12 Volt 100 watt rather than the original 32 volt or more recent 74 volt lamps. And they are readily available fairly cheap from several different sources on the web because they are used in boat searchlights.  Posted Wednesday, October 28, 2015 by RJMc

 Q3035 A&W 300 vs 400  Could you tell me the difference between an Adlake fount & burner 300 and the Adlake fount & burner 400? Thank You.  Posted Sunday, October 25, 2015 by Rich S   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Hi Rich,The main difference between the 300 and 400 founts and burners is the width of the lantern wick and the larger hole in the fount to accommodate the wider wick/burner.I believe that the 400 burner takes a 7/8" wide wick and the 300 takes a 5/8" wide wick.The fount capacities are the same but of course the wider wick version will consume the same oil capacity much quicker,but the trade off is a considerably brighter flame. DJB Posted Monday, October 26, 2015 by DJB

 Q3032 RR Versus Nautical Lamp/Lantern?  Here is a picture of a lantern my Dad (now deceased) had. I always thought it was a ship's running light. However, when I went to clean it up, I noticed that not only was it made of light sheet metal (wouldn't last long at sea!) with a copper cap, but it also had a brass tag showing the manufacturer as NL Piper, Railriad Supply Co., Toronto. Any idea what this type of lamp was for, era, and what it used for a light source? Thanks.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, October 20, 2015 by John G.   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. The section on the Piper family of companies in Barrett's Illustrated Encyc. of RR Lighting Vol. 2 shows that "NL Piper Ry. Supply" stood for Noah L. Piper and was the trademark used between 1902 and 1930. The lamp is a bridge pier lamp, with this style reported as first marketed in 1917. These are used to mark ship navigation channels, so it is in part nautical. The top seems to have been modified in service, but that was not unusual; subsequent variations of the 'Piper' company catalogued this kind of lantern up thru 1953 and this general kind of lamp is still commonly used. Since the service was at fixed locations, which often had access to electricity, these were very early and common users of electric bulbs but many originated with and continued to have kerosene burners for decades. Posted Tuesday, October 20, 2015 by RJMc

A. These were (and are) used on all kinds of bridges over navigable waterways, including but not necessarily limited to RR bridges. Posted Tuesday, October 20, 2015 by RJMc

A. Very interesting. This one looks like it had a tray on the inside likely for a kerosene burner. Thanks you very much! Posted Tuesday, October 20, 2015 by John G.

Get Questions => 31-50 81-100 131-150 181-200 231-250 281-300 331-350 381-400 431-450 481-500 531-550 581-600 631-650 681-700 731-750

© 2025 Railroadiana Online