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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 731st.

 Q2432 Cleaning without Harming Copper Parts  Hello, I just purchased a dietz fire king lantern that is tin with a copper fount and copper handle (I think it's copper maybe brass but its turned green in places so I think copper) the tin is rusted so I want to clean it and restore the lantern but which method is the best for doing this without harming the copper parts? Thanks in advance for your help as I am a novice lantern restorer. [Web Editors' note: Not RR but relevant to RR projects so we're posting here.]  Posted Tuesday, October 30, 2012 by BP   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Toothbrush all scale or surface debris; start clean. Apply coating of naval jelly with small brush. Let it sit for about 30 mins, then work with the toothbrush. You'll see the patina turn to liquid. After thouroughly loosening the patina, wash with clean water and dry. You may have to repeat if there are tough spots. After you have the dull copper or brass with no more patina, polish with Nevr Dull for a final cleaning. Then polish to shine using Semi-Chrome or Blue Magic. I have used this method for 30+ tear and it works every time.  Posted Saturday, November 3, 2012 by IC Carpeck

A. The King Fire Dept. lanterns were made in many variations including polished brass, brass with nickle plating, bright tin plated with a copper font, and in their last years of production Dietz painted their remaining bright tin ones red. The green that you are seeing may be from a thin copper strike which is plated on before the coat of nickle is applied. The copper adheres to the steel better than nickle does and the nickle adheres better to the copper. Also copper polishes up more easily than steel. Use a magnet and determine which parts are steel, the font is probably copper, and the handle may be brass, even if the rest of the parts are steel. The link is for a short history of fire department lanterns wriiten by Michael Kuk, Chief of the Fort Polk, LA Fire Department that is from the Signal 51 Group website.  Link 1  Posted Sunday, November 4, 2012 by KM

A. The best stuff that I've found for cleaning copper is Revere Copper and Stainless cleaner. You can find it in household cleaners section. Its made to clean pots and pans. Its safe and easy to use. Posted Sunday, November 11, 2012 by Ex Sou RY

 Q2429 Lamp/Lantern Info Needed  I have a large lantern and cannot identify the type of lantern it is. The lantern appears to be a caboose lantern with double mounting brackets. On the outside there are levers that you slide up and down that moves a colored disk on the inside and changes lens colors for the clear lenses outside. I appreciate your time and help in the past as well.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, October 23, 2012 by JC   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. You have a classification lamp for a steam locomotive. Posted Tuesday, October 23, 2012 by JJ

A. Thank you Sir, I appreciate the reply. There is also a marking on the lantern that I can't quite identify. It is raised lettering H&F R.R. Would that be Hagerstown and Fredrick? Posted Tuesday, October 23, 2012 by JC

A. Herb Harwood's book "Blue Ridge Trolley" (Golden West books, 1970) about the Hagerstown and Frederick has a wealth of pix of H&F operations. As one of the longest lasting electric interurbans, running at least one line in passenger service into the 1950's, H&F ran a lot of excursions for enthusiasts. On most of them they put markers on all four corners of the trolley car and took a lot of pictures. Its very hard to tell from the fairly small pix in the book, but the markers they used look like the style you have. The book also shows H&F electric freight operations but no markers or class lights are visible in those pix.  Posted Wednesday, October 24, 2012 by RJMc

 Q2427 Lantern Makers?  I have been trying to track down a maker of these 2 lanterns. They are early fixed globe ones. One appears to be missing the bell bottom ? Any info would help Thank you.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, October 10, 2012 by JB   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. The lantern on the right has a vertical fluted collar around the top that looks similar to a R.E.Dietz #9 Champion, a #7 Gem or a #6 Vesta. The #9 Champion was based on an Archer and Pancoast #2 or #8 Champion model that Dietz continued to make after they acquired A&P. The rest of the lantern does not match Dietz catalog drawings that are in "Lanterns That Lit Our World" pages 98,99 and 102 or in "The Illustrated Encylopedia Of Railroad Lighting,Volume 1-The Railroad Lantern" page 102. Are the vertical globe guards missing from it and does it have a glass fount? The crinkle cut top is not shown on those drawings either. Are there any clues on the burners in either lantern or could they have been replaced at some point? Posted Wednesday, October 10, 2012 by KM

A. on the left is an 1878 l.J. Atwood lantern. the only marks on this is on the burner (P&A MFG CO PAT AUG 29/76) The Plume and Atwood Co. here is the patent http://www.google.com/patents/US206917?pg=PA2&dq=1878+l.J.+Atwood&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Jtl1UPOzJOSQ0QG1uoGgCw&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=1878%20l.J.%20Atwood&f=false. on the right is a J. D. BROWN 1860 heres one that sold http://p2.la-img.com/1107/29500/11429515_1_x.jpg Posted Friday, October 19, 2012 by JB

 Q2422 Lamp Info Needed  First I want to congratulate you for the wonderful and very well organized website. I am Brazilian, and recently purchased a lamp in an antiques fair in Uruguay. I would like to ask you whether it is possible to assess: - Its utility (probably - as confirmed through your website - used along the railroads and stations) - The approximate year of manufacture of this artifact - If it is a replica of a model of a known lamps industry or if it came to Uruguay, as well as countless items brought from Germany, Holland and England especially, among other European countries who contributed to the construction and colonization of that country. Thank you in advance for your attention,   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, September 27, 2012 by DS   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. This lamp appears to be a very generic style of 'semaphore lamp' which was typically used to light the nighttime indications of semaphore blades (although very similar lamps were used for many other functions as well, such as train order signals.) Because the semaphore lighting function was needed at one time or another by almost every railway in the world, and over many decades, many lamps such as this were used and many were manufactured almost world-wide and by almost every major lamp manufacturer; some were even fabricated by the railroad companies themselves. The style was also standardized by North American railroads under the Association of American Railroads, which many foreign railroads may also have chosen to adopt to get the benefits of standardized, proven designs and economies in purchasing. As examples, the two Links are to catalog pages from US manufacturers; one from Adlake in 1907, one from Handlan in 1956; both show this general type of lamp for sale over those 50 years. And as you know, these are very attractive collectibles, and so moved around the world in that market after leaving railway service. So unless your particular lamp (or possibly the internal components) has characteristic markings, or possibly very small unique design features, it will be very difficult to pin down its source or time of manufacture.  Link 1  Link 2  Posted Friday, September 28, 2012 by RJMc

A. I've been chewing on this one for a whole week now; here's what I think -- Though not marked as such, my belief is that this is certainly an ADLAKE (Adams & Westlake) lamp of American manufacture or an amazingly detailed knock-off. The design and quality are unmistakably both American, and ADLAKE specifically. It is certainly not of European origin as the style is distinctly non-European. There are a number of Semaphore Lamps made in India for Indian railroads on the market right now; however the quality is much lower and the design is quite different. Those can be identified mainly by the deeply drawn cap which looks like a portabella mushroom. --- Unmarked ADLAKE pieces do show up from time to time, ..don’t know how or why. ADLAKE lamps usually have “ADLAKE non sweating lamp” embossed on the smoke stack cap, though unmarked caps turn up on some lamps. ADLAKE lamps traditionally have a thin, embossed brass patent date label riveted to the stack cone or soldered to the inside of the lamp. The exterior ones sometimes come off through wear and use. -- I’d be surprised if your lamp is a “knock off” by another manufacturer though. I say that as the quality in both material and construction is there and the parts such as the hinge holding the stack to the body and the very well shaped bail (wire handle) are exactly the type ADLAKE used and the grommet where the bale is inserted into the lamp is an ADLAKE feature. Additionally, it’s very hard to do that type of heavy sheet metal work at all, let alone in 3rd world facilities in the early 1900s. I certainly believe it to be an American made lamp. If it were a knock off made in South America there would be no purpose in duplicating the very exact lines and shape of the ADLAKE lamps. --- If it is an ADLAKE, I would date it between the early 1900’s and the mid 1920s for these reasons; The legs holding the cap to the smoke stack cone are riveted to the outside of the cone. Lamps made prior to roughly 1905 +/-, had the legs stuck down inside of the cone, not on the outside of the cone as on this lamp. The round top lamps were phased out in the mid 1920s with the invention of the new Square Top Ventilation system. Also the shoulder where the top of the lamp is attached to the cylindrical body is indicative of a very early design and is identical to the #206 series ADLAKE switch lamps (see LINK 1) and marker lamps and semaphore lamps of the same general design, again dating to the early 1900s to mid 1920s period. It is also exactly depicted in the line diagram on the page shown in LINK #2 in the ABOVE answer, except for the mounting socket box being on the opposite side of the lens as I mention below. --- QUESTION: Does the lamp have one or two lenses?? --- If it has two, it is an Order Board Lamp and was used to light a two sided semaphore-like signal at stations. Order Boards told the train crew if there were Train Orders for them to be picked up at the station. If the lamp has only one lens, it would be for illuminating a semaphore signal; BUT, it would be an oddity what with having the vertical box on the side of the lamp body positioned to the left of the lens. Virtually all American Semaphore lamps have the open bottomed vertical box to the right of the lens. That hollow box is how the lamp is mounted on the signal. There would be a vertical metal blade on the signal mast which the box slips down over to fix the lamp to the signal frame. Additionally; the mounting box has a slit in it which appears to run about 3/4 of the way up the length of the box. That slit is highly unusual and may indicate some non typical mounting by American standards and perhaps something unique to / typical of Uruguayan or South American railroads. -- It would not surprise me if ADLAKE sold lamps to South American Railways. -- Your lamp has seen some rough handling over the years. It has either been dropped upside down on its cap or has had something heavy dropped on it as the area around the stack where it joins the top of the lamp has a trough shaped dent clear around the base of the stack. That is a fairly typical injury to this style of lamp. Many lamps show up with damage indicative of an impact to the cap and that top shoulder on these lamps was structurally weak area. I have a Marker Lamp of this same style that has similar damage; the one I mention in Q2043. --- ....Red Beard  Link 1  Posted Thursday, October 4, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

 Q2420 Wooden Handle #250 Kero  I recently acquired an Adams & Westlake model #250 short globe lantern with a clear globe and wooden handle. I'm wondering if there is any significance to the wooden handle. I know that the 250 model was made roughly between 1926-1930, but were these handles available during particular times or for a particular purpose? Thanks,  Posted Thursday, September 27, 2012 by RB   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. These are called 'insulated bail' lanterns and the insulated bail was an option available from the factory. See prior Q 1342 and 408 in the Archives here. In general the insulated bail helped protect the user from electrocution on electrified railroads such as interurban trolley lines or the heavy electric main line RR's such as PRR, Virginian, Milwaukee; it was also more comfortable for the user to grip particularly in very cold climates. All of the major lantern manufacturers offered the option; sometimes the insulation was wood, as with your lantern; others had fiber, bakelite, or windings of insulated wire around the bail handle wire for these same purposes.  Posted Thursday, September 27, 2012 by RJMc

A. The Link is to one page of the 1918 Adlake lantern catalog in the Library elsewhere here on the RRiana website. It highlights the wooden handle option and states it makes gripping the lantern easier for switchmen; it doesn't mention the electric railroad issues.  Link 1  Posted Thursday, September 27, 2012 by RJMc

A. Hi, I only had one insulated (rubber) handled lantern in my collection and it came from the Long Island RR. Long Island does get cold. Long Island (at least part of it) has electrified territory. You can make your own conclusions from this. Posted Tuesday, October 2, 2012 by JN

 Q2403 Nautical Globe Colors  How would the globe colors of clear, red, green, amber and blue etc. be used in nautical terminolgy?? Thank you. [Web Editor's Note: Since railroads had nautical operations, we're allowing this question.]  Posted Monday, September 3, 2012 by KTK   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Red is port side (left),Green is starboard right). I don't know of the orher colors being used. Posted Monday, September 3, 2012 by BK

A. Hi, I have done some sailing on the Erie Canal. I was told during instruction on boat operation that a white light indicates at anchor. Posted Monday, September 3, 2012 by JN

A. Blue light in the Navy means ship "in tow" or an "inspection" light according to the US Navy History & Heritage Cmd. Posted Tuesday, September 4, 2012 by KD

A. We now have the following: 1. Red = Port 2. Green = Starboard 3. Cobalt = Ship in tow 4. Clear = Ship at anchor 5. Amber = Marks off corridors and passageways, Maybe mess hall too. (I just found this out.) * Red could also be used by the night watch walking the decks. Red does not destroy your night vision but you can still easily read maps or make inspections. Thank you.  Posted Friday, September 7, 2012 by Keith

 Q2402 Green Lanterns  I was wondering for what reason a rail road lantern was painted green, mostly seen on Handlans?? I can only think of three reasons, correct me if I am wrong. A lite green was usually a standard color in the following areas. 1. Postal and mail cars. 2. A doctors or nurses office aboard trains 3. A car entrance or isle way as early interiors were usually done in Honduran mahogany and lite green carpet and upholstery. Lite green was considered a very relaxing color and was used quite extensively until the Art Deco period of the 1950's.  Posted Sunday, September 2, 2012 by KT   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Again; a photo would really help. For clarification, as people often mix terms, are you referring to a hand held lantern such as Conductors and Brakemen used; an interior illuminating lamp fixed to the wall, desk top or ceiling; or a signal lamp such as a Marker Lamp? - Second; are you asking about the metal frame or the glass?? -- ....Red Beard Posted Monday, September 3, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. The lantern itself was painted lite green at the factory. I have only seen this done with Handlan railroad lanterns one with a wire bail another with a wall bracket. Globes were clear. This is on reference to my original question. Thank you Posted Tuesday, September 4, 2012 by Keith

A. So far I have checked 'Encyclopedia of RR Lighting' and 'Lanterns That Lit Our World' and the Handlan catalogs elsewhere here on the RRiana Site with no luck regarding green paint as a standard mfr. option. Red-painted brims WERE offered by Handlan. It is also true the mfrs. all had painting facilities to produce farm lanterns and marker lights, etc, and would likely accommodate any request a RR customer would pay for. I wonder if the paint may have been a wartime substitute because plating metal wasn't available -- which might have applied to multiple RR customers, or if the U.S. Gov't itself or one of the military services might have bought these -- green is very 'popular' for U.S. Army items.  Posted Wednesday, September 5, 2012 by RJMc

A. You are probably correct on the special order color for some reason as this was not standard. As far as the military is concerned, their color was 'olive drab' either in a dark or lite form except the medical corps, which did use a lite green after the Korean war. Thank you  Posted Thursday, September 6, 2012 by Keith

 Q2399 Lamp Info Needed  Hi, I am trying to research this lamp to determine if it is a RR, carriage or Automobile lamp. It is an Adlake model 3441 with pat date of Aug 8th 1907.........the burner is dated 1909 The bottom has Adlake non-sweating balanced draft lamp with the Pat date ( above) ser # 440442. I purchased it from the estate of a collector of RR lamps and picked this because of condition.........it is like it is 2 years old, not 105 years old. It was kept in a display case. Has the large clear lens, a green lens where you gain access to the burner on the side and a red crystal lense on the back. Any help would be appreciated as I can't find that model #.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2012 by TNN   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. The August 8,1907 patent date may be wrong because that was a Thursday. All US patents are granted on Tusdays so the correct date might be 8/6/07. A Google patent search did not come up with anything though. I did come across an interesting patent though, a machine that places the clips on track torpedoes, see 984892 granted on 2/21/11.  Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2012 by KM

A. The link takes you to the Library section elsewhere here on the RRiana site, to selected sections of the Adlake catalog for 1907. The several catalog sections there were selected for being railroad- or interurban trolley - related. None of the many lamps there have lenses arranged like this one,and all of the model numbers are only three digits, not 4. I suspect the red jewel lens indicates road vehicle use rather than RR. The full Adlake catalog might show it, and indicate its usage.  Link 1  Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2012 by RJMc

A. That is a beautiful little lamp, though definitely not a railroad item. -- Many rail collectors, including myself, occasionally pick up a non-rail item just because they like it. I have several non-railroad lamps; they were just too interesting and appealing to pass by. -- Yours is certainly an early automotive or buggy light. AND, that’s not to say that it couldn’t have come from a car, truck or buggy that belonged to a railroad! Railroads have always needed vehicles. - I always thought those red jewel lenses were fascinating; a real touch of elegance from a more aesthetic era. -- ....Red Beard Posted Wednesday, August 29, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

 Q2398 Lights  Hello. Can anyone help me with these light? I received these in the early 70's and was told they came out of a railroad car restroom and were on each side of the mirror. I am hoping someone might recognize them and could tell me if it was a Pullman or a Budd built car and what era? Thanks.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2012 by MG   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Thank you for the quick reply, I did not thank they would be that old by the style, I figured the 60,s.I looked up that book on amazon,$125.00, I will just have to take your word on it.Maybe the libary will have it.Thanks again MG Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2012 by mg

A. The book "Official Pullman Standard Library Vol. 1, Santa Fe" by Randall and Ross is a compendium of Pullman Co. lightweight passenger car builder's photos. These are by a company photographer using a large format camera to record many very finely detailed pix of cars under construction and also after completion. Light fixtures which appear identical to yours are pictured in drawing room bathrooms (called 'annexes' by Pullman) and on either side of the mirror in a roomette, where the sink and toilet were part of the usual roomette interior. The lights show clearly in pictures of first-class cars built in 1937 and 1938 for Santa Fe. The railroads often gave the carbuilders very specific direction about what items to build into the cars, down to the carpets, door handles, specific light fixtures and what kind of wood to use for a baggage car floor, for just a few examples. So it is possible Santa Fe might have instructed Budd and/or the other carbuilders to also use these lights. And other railroads might have also used them. Car numbers were often stamped into or marked on the backs of fixtures such as this to keep track of materials when cars underwent major refurbishments; are there any names, numbers or maker's ID info on these?  Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2012 by RJMc

 Q2391 XLCR Switchman's Lantern  Two questions: (1) Did switchmen ever use a different colored globe with this lantern besides the factory supplied clear?? (2) If I were to install a Dietz lettered globe in this lantern, would this still be considered authentic?? Thank you  Posted Tuesday, August 21, 2012 by Keith   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Globes were clear,red,amber,green and blue depending on where they were used. If the letters are the same as those on the lantern yes. If not letters on lantern than any globe is correct. Posted Tuesday, August 21, 2012 by BK

A. To maybe be a little more specific: if you really mean a lantern used by a switchman (or a brakeman), an employee actually out switching cars, only a clear globe would be appropriate since the lantern was used for both signalling and illumination at night. Whereas a crossing watchman or a tower operator would likely have a red globe in his lantern. But as to 'factory supplied' -- the factory would supply any color globe the railroad customer specified. After 1920 or so there were railroad industry standard colors for glass (driven by the need to standardize signal. semaphore and marker light indications) so the selection tended to be reduced to the colors BK mentions above, but RR's ordered many different colors as well as spare globes according to how they expected to use the lanterns and globes, which needed to be replaced fairly often. And as to marking on the globes matching or not matching the lantern frame: again because the industry heavily standardized these items (to keep costs down), and since the lettering on the globe doesn't affect its function, and since many terminals served multiple railroads, the globes moved around quite a bit. So just for example, a C&O freight brakeman working into Potomac Yard in Washington, DC, finding his lantern globe cracked, might leave there with a globe marked PRR, B&O, RF&P, or Southern, or not marked at all. And no one could (should?) argue it wasn't 'authentic'. However, a Maine Central lantern with a Southern Pacific globe WOULD be stretching credibility on this score.  Posted Wednesday, August 22, 2012 by RJMc

A. At least in Los Angeles, Southern Pacific switchmen used green globes, and later green bulbs in electric lanterns, in their engine terminals. As engine facility tracks were often right next to yard tracks, the green light was used so yard switching crews didn't mistake a signal in the engine facility for one coming from a switchman in the freight yard. ---- .... Red Beard Posted Thursday, June 15, 2017 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. At least in Los Angeles, Southern Pacific switchmen used green globes, and later green bulbs in electric lanterns, in their engine terminals. As engine facility tracks were often right next to yard tracks, the green light was used so yard switching crews didn't mistake a signal in the engine facility for one coming from a switchman in the freight yard. ---- .... Red Beard Posted Saturday, June 17, 2017 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

 Q2384 J. C.Giessing, Nurnberg oil lamp  I found and added to my collection a J. C.Giessing, Nurnberg oil lamp. It is made up of four separate metal panels all with the wings and wheel design of a German railroad. Two of the panels have the city of Konglbayer name on them the other two panels have the name Staatseisenb on them. It has a burner by Carl Kneusel of Zeulenroda. With burner it is about twelve and half inches tall. Looking at it closely at the base it looks to have maybe been mounted in a collar device to secure it for train use. It has a metal tag on the inside for J. C. Giessing Nurnberg. I was hoping someone could tell me how it was used, when it was used,or anything about it that I could add to my information base on this lamp.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, August 2, 2012 by Bill   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. The winged wheel emblem is from the Royal Bavarian State Railways. Perhaps the best photo of the emblem on the net is on stamps that were issued by the railway from around 1900 to 1920. Those were placed on packages that were to be delivered by the railway,(a forerunner of REA, UPS or Fed Ex?). Kongl Bayer and Staats-Eisenb are abbreviations see Link 1 for the Wikipedia article which explains that. Link 2 has the stamps that show the winged wheel emblem. And I will put in another reply with a link for the Deutsch Bahn Museum in Nuremburg. The Nuremburg Transport Museum has been around since 1899. You might try and contact them for more specific information about this lamp.  Link 1  Link 2  Posted Sunday, August 5, 2012 by KM

A. Here is the link for the Nuremburg transport Museum, they are the official museum for the Deutsche Bahn.  Link 1  Posted Sunday, August 5, 2012 by KM

 Q2379 Original ATSF Lantern Color?  I have a lantern that belonged to my great uncle. It appears to be unmarked, except for the Santa Fe emblem on the glass and stamping on the base. It has at least three layers of paint in green, yellow, and red- that I can tell. There is no hope of a real restoration, but I would like to make it look as it would have when it was in service. What was the original color? Thanks,   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Saturday, July 28, 2012 by DW   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. See prior Q's 2317, 964, and 349 for just some of the discussion we have had on this site about paint on hand lanterns. And just putting the word 'restoration' in the word or phrase search box (and giving the search time to work) returns 75 prior Q's giving a LOT of discussion and opinions about how to treat --or not treat -- hand lanterns. I think it is fair to say that the majority of RR hand lanterns were delivered without any factory-applied paint. But individual RR's did things their own ways. And the Santa Fe was always a large RR system where different divisions and different areas may have had their own practices which may have differed for lanterns used on trains vs. at depots or for crossing flagging, for example. So to have any assurance of the original condition you need info from somebody familiar with the territory where this particular lantern was used and that can be hard to find.  Posted Saturday, July 28, 2012 by RJMc

 Q2377 What is it?  I thought it was a railroad lantern but not sure. No marks on it and not sure if it is candle or oil . Any help would be appreciated Thanks.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Friday, July 27, 2012 by VT   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. The photo looks like the back side of a European style headlamp, is there a photo of the front? It most likely would be an oil burner. It does resemble the lamps seen on the front of European steam locomotives like in France or Belgium but like many kerosene headlamps there were many other uses besides locomotives.  Posted Saturday, July 28, 2012 by W.M.

A. There are also some fantasy/fake pieces around that are similar to this. They usually have a tag soldered to them that says Locomotive 323, Birmingham (referring to England)amd a date in the 1930's. They have thick wire used as a guard in front of the lens which is soldered on in a triangular pattern. There is a photo of one in a question or in the Show Photos eleswhere on this site, but I can't locate it right now. Posted Saturday, July 28, 2012 by KM

A. The link shows one of the fake headlamps which was listed on an internet auction site. The tag says Newcastle, not Birmingham and the date is 1931. That same headlamp also turns up on another auction site when you do a search for "locomotive 323" Link 1  Posted Saturday, July 28, 2012 by KM

A. It has a glass front and does have the triangle. But there is no tags or markings of any kind on the lanp. it has a small 2 inch holder the sise of a candle in side of the glass Posted Sunday, July 29, 2012 by vicki

A. Scroll down to question 2360 for something similar................. Posted Monday, July 30, 2012 by DA

 Q2374 Lamp Info Needed  Does anyone have knowledge on this Adams & Westlake lamp? I have 2 of them from a N. C. & St. L. coach that overturned in the early 1950s. Thanks,   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, July 22, 2012 by Noel   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. See Q1640 and Q1559 in the Archives. This is a very nice example of an A&W Double Chandelier lamp. Does it still has the kerosene burners in it, or was it "elctrocuted" at some point? Posted Friday, July 27, 2012 by KM

A. Thanks for the reply. They were made electric in the late 1950s. Posted Sunday, July 29, 2012 by Noel

 Q2373 Lantern Initials ID Needed  My father was a RR collector, and I am going through his collections now that he has passed. He has a number of lanterns. One of the lanterns is marked with N.O.T.&L.T. The markings are on the globe and the lantern itself. I am simply curious what company these letter represent. Any help you can provide me with would be appreciated.  Posted Sunday, July 22, 2012 by JN   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. N.O.T. & L could be Northern Ohio Traction and Light, an extensive high-speed electric interurban line which ran between Cleveland, Oh, Akron, and points south. It went out of the passenger business and was abandoned and torn up around 1932. I am not sure about the final 'T'. N.O. can sometimes stand for New Orleans, which also had traction companies.  Posted Sunday, July 22, 2012 by RJMc

A. That extra T on the end of NOT< is merely an abbreviation for the word LIGHT.Most of these electric lines produced more electricity than they could use and began to sell it as commercial power to neighborhoods.Many of the electric street and interurban RR's had the word LIGHT in their company names.Many in fact evolved into large electric utilities that are present today,long after their electric railroad roots were scrapped. DJB Posted Sunday, July 22, 2012 by DJB

 Q2372 Wooden Handle  Has anybody ever seen one like this? Is it rare and or homemade??? Thanks fella's. Lost on this one   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, July 22, 2012 by DK   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. These were generaly used on RR's (or subway systems) that had an electrified division. This was to keep a man from being electrocuted if the lantern came into contact with a 3rd rail. Posted Sunday, July 22, 2012 by BK

A. O.K. its marked T.R.R.A. assume Terminal RR of st louis,but didnt know and are these common and or hard to find? Posted Sunday, July 22, 2012 by DK

A. Various types of bails could be ordered from the lantern factories as options. The Link is to an Armspear catalog page from the Railroadiana site archives. The illustration on the right shows a hand lantern with either a 'loose fiber bail' or a 'rigid fiber bail.' Much of this kind of hardware was standardized around the RR and transit industries, so most of the suppliers would have offered this kind of option. In addition to electrical safety, the wood or fiber bail was easier to use. In TRRA territory around St. Louis there was no third rail, but there were extensive trolley lines with overhead wires until the 1960's at least. So no, its probably not homemade. As to rarity, these are less common than plain wire bails (I'm sure they cost more) but there are many around.  Link 1  Posted Sunday, July 22, 2012 by RJMc

A. Building on what RJMc says above about these handles being easier to use; Some older railroaders liked them because they were thicker and easier to hold onto as their hands started to get a little stiff with age, especially in cold weather. The handle pictured appears to be a solid bentwood one, held to the lantern by pins running through the ferrules, rather than a fiber one which would have the handle wire running clear through it.-- ....Red Beard Posted Monday, July 23, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. ok thanks and I was wondering if this handle is easily removed or not cant really see any pins though and was wanting to soda ash & 12V clean it thanks fellas Posted Wednesday, July 25, 2012 by DK

 Q2369 Mo Pac Marker Colors  I read with great interest the recent dissertation on switch lamp and marker colors. However, the Mo Pac marker colors were omitted. I was wondering if anyone knows the combination used on Mo Pac markers before the UP acquired the road? Thank you!  Posted Thursday, July 12, 2012 by Jim   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Hi Jim; Back in Omaha we always called it “The Mop”, including the guys that worked there. I think the Company had quite a bit of influence in the naming of that long highway running through Austin, TX as no one I ever heard ever called it the Mo Pac. - Marker Color: 1 Red, 3 Green. - In the later years after there were axle driven generators and batteries on cabooses (1960s & 70s) pretty much all MoP cabooses carried permanently mounted Pyle-National electric “mini-markers”. They were a cast aluminum ball about the size of a tennis ball and similar ones show up frequently on eBay, though I’ve never seen one of those mini markers with any railroad initials on it. The MoP ones all had a very heavy, permanently coiled, black electric cord coming out of the bottom, which was plugged into a 32 volt outlet on the side of the caboose near each of the four brackets. They were mounted on all four corners in the traditional marker brackets and had a thick steel tab welded to the top of the bracket to keep the marker from being removed (much to the consternation of some railfans). - Wood cabooses would have had traditional kerosene markers as would the earliest of steel cabooses; all in the 1R, 3G configuration. Like most roads, The MoP had markers from all three major lamp manufacturers; Adlake, Dressel and Handlan, (I never saw any Armspear on the MoP) though the vast majority of their switch lamps I ever saw were Handlan; possibly a Home Town affinity as both Handlan and the MoP were based in St. Louis. - By the time of the UP / MP merger (1980), Marker Lamps and Switch Lamps had been gone for almost a decade, so no UP standards regarding lamps were ever applied to the MoP. Since the mid 1970s, MoP Cabooses had gone to using very lackluster single large red lights mounted under the center of the roof overhang above the platform on either end of the car instead of markers, though marker light brackets remained on all four corners until the cabooses were scrapped. However, the 13000 series bay window cabooses of the late 1970s were built without any marker brackets and had just the single, centered red light. Even though the 13000s looked like a transfer caboose with a very short car body on a long frame, they were designed and used for long distance service and were the inspiration for UP’s 25800 series bay window cabooses, even though the UP 25800s had a slightly longer car body. The UP management was fascinated by the innovative design and economy of the MP 13000s, though crews hated them as they were small, cramped and rode poorly. (railroad management was never too particularly concerned with crew comfort) The UP borrowed a MP 13000 for several months before the merger and parked it on a track right in front of the Council Bluffs yard office so officials could come over from HQ in Omaha and have a good look at it. I remember the day John Kenefick came over and had his photo taken while he was standing on the end of it. --- That merger was one of the reasons I left the railroad. I was working in the Council Bluffs yard office at the time. The word from our labor union (Brotherhood of railroad Clerks, “B of RC”) was that the local UP and MP clerks’ rosters would be merged clear across Nebraska and there was a good chance that anyone under ten years seniority (me!) would likely end up having to bid on jobs clear across the line between Council Bluffs and North Platte, as MoP clerks from around the state with much more seniority would bump us out of those cushy jobs around the Omaha / Council Bluffs area. The UP brass had many job cut backs planned for old MoP positions on the acquired lines in the area. If a MoP clerk with more seniority lost his job in the cutbacks, he could come in and bump me off my job. I in turn would have to bump someone with less seniority out of their job, likely out in some lonely (and less desirable) location along the line across Nebraska. ..I decided to move on to new adventures. --- OF NOTE: --- The UP was very heavy handed in that merger, much more so than with other later mergers. I was told this was because the two railroads operated in very different ways, and being a truly Southern railroad, there was a very entrenched ‘Old Boy network’ way of doing business on the MoP that the UP truly needed to break up if they were to run as a new, united, single system with seamless operations clear across the line. Literally within a matter of weeks the UP pulled -ALL- Missouri Pacific blue locomotives off the old MoP lines, sending them to other parts of the UP, and replaced them with yellow and gray UP units. They wanted to make a show of force and make certain everyone on the MoP knew the old Missouri Pacific was gone and that they now worked for the UNION PACIFIC, period!!! -New day, New way of doing business- A lot of front line management people were moved around in that process as well; again, to break up the old MoP way of doing things as much as possible. ---- ....Red Beard, --- © 2012, Red Beard the Railroad Raider Posted Friday, July 13, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. One other bit of info to add here. The Handlan MoPac markers I've come across from the 40's and 50's era seem to have a 6&3/8" red lens and the 3 green lenses were 5&3/8". The reason I mention this is Handlan's production in the 1980's, largely for the hobby market, all seemed to have 5&3/8" all around around. It could be a way of making sure you're acquiring the "real deal" rather than those made for the railfan market or a door swap to make an unmarked lamp into a marked lamp and therefore more marketable. Posted Friday, July 13, 2012 by JFR

A. Wow, thanks guys! Interesting read, Red Beard; thank you very much. I do have a Mo Pac Handlan marker lamp, and it is 5-3/8" all around. I never thought of a door swap, but then again, I've never seen one unmarked either. They all seem to have the railroad tag spot welded on the lens aperture on the door. I'm actually really unimpressed with the poor construction of this marker. I've restored quite a few Adlakes and Dressels, and in comparison, the Handlan is kinda sub-par. It's light gauge sheet metal, poorly stamped, and spot welded together. The smoke cone is barely there, and just slips into place with a little turn. Kinda the K-Mart of marker lamps. Can't believe they lasted very long in railroad service. The stamped body Adlakes and Armspears are built to last, and appear to be in much better shape after years of use. Just my 2 cents worth. Just a note; I am truly awed by your breadth and depth of railroad knowledge. I enjoy this forum, even on items of little interest to me, because I always glean some interesting tidbit of information from them. Thank you again for sharing your knowledge. Best Regards, Jim Posted Friday, July 13, 2012 by Jim

A. Q2355 shows those Pyle mini markers Posted Saturday, July 14, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. Jim; In Q2347 we talk a bit about the declining quality of Handlan lamps in the late years. Per JFR's comment Handlan's late line of "Railfinders" lamps were aimed at the hobby market. They were of light weight construction and were spot welded, but so were their last runs of switch lamps actually made for the railroads. Handlan switch lamps for the railroads from the late 1960s and early 1970s were constructed from light weight pre-galvanized sheet steel rather than being hot dipped after fabrication. I have one from the FRISCO that I know was used by the railroad from that era and it's pretty tinny, especially compared to the very sturdy Adlake and Dressel lamps you mention. Of Note; Railfinder lamps from Handlan were marked with a railroad initial tag on the door below the lens (as were their late model lamps sold to the railroads). If your name tag is somewhere else, it may be a lamp sold to the railroad. There were also many markers in actual railroad use which did have 5-3/8" lenses all around; not all markers had the over-sized red lens. However, given the MoP's widespread use of the Pyle-National mini markers in the late years, I'm guessing yours may be a Railfinder lamp. -- Thank you for your words of appreciation. Most of that "breadth & depth" just comes from having been there at the time and having made note of what I was seeing around me. It's fun to recount on here and always good to know someone is reading it! --- ....Red Beard Posted Saturday, July 14, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. When Handlan was selling 'Railfinder' switch lamps, when you ordered you could tell them to tag them with any RR initials you chose, and they would. I bought one this way for about $60 as a Christmas gift for my brother to electrify and put on a post at the end his driveway -- and its still there. If you didn't specify, Handlan's default was to mark them with a nice 'MOPAC' tag (or maybe anything else they had on hand) so there are probably a lot of them out there. Posted Saturday, July 14, 2012 by RJMc

A. Further on lamp parts and names from the Archives elsewhere on this site: in the Adams and Westlake section from the 1940's, some of which must be downloaded as .pdf's, there is an illustration with part names. The link should bring up the one .jpeg illustration. You are probably referring to the lens hoods with their coupling rings.  Link 1  Posted Tuesday, July 17, 2012 by RJMc

A. As to lamp parts and names, the historical manufacturers' catalogs elsewhere on the site here are very informative. Link 1 is an exploded-view illustration of spare parts from Handlan from 1956; unfortunately although every part is shown in wonderful detail the NAMES of them aren't given in this particular document (!!#@#$!); the second link is for an Armspear parts breakdown, less complete, but with the part names at least. Note the Handlan statement that all of their parts are standardized and interchangeable thruout the industry. I'm still looking to see if I can find the named spare parts list in the archives.  Link 1  Link 2  Posted Tuesday, July 17, 2012 by RJMc

A. Great information, all! I suspect mine was actually used in service, as it's base is a pretty beat up from being turned in the mounting bracket. I also has dings in it consistant with flying gravel, etc. JFR, that an interesting point you bring up about lens size. Judging by the size of the body, I think it would be a stretch to make a 6-3/8 lens openning/ferrule on the body, given its diameter. I have an AT&SF marker that I know was used in service, and it's large red lens is actually mounted in an adapter from a smaller diameter (sorry, I don't recall the exact sizes). There is a link to a similar one below. This would seem more probable to me, given the outside diameter of the lamp, and the distances between the ferrules (I'm sure there is a more technically correct term for the formed sheet metal cones that hold the lens, but I don't know what it is).  Link 1  Posted Tuesday, July 17, 2012 by Jim

A. Actually, what I refer to is the "lens opening" or "goggle" in the Armspear catalog. It is the part of the lamp body that holds the lens, and the band holds the lens in and the hood on. Does that make sense?  Posted Wednesday, July 18, 2012 by Jim

 Q2368 Lantern Info Needed  I purchased [this lantern] at an estate auction. I would appreciate any information about it. It has E. Miller Made in USA on the stem. I am not sure what it is. Thank you.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, July 9, 2012 by DH   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. This is a firefighters lantern. You can tell by the hooded smoke dome. Posted Tuesday, July 10, 2012 by BK

A. You can also see some of the mounting bracket that holds it onto the fire truck or horse drawn apparatus. Many fire lanterns have the triangular wire loop on top under the bail which fits into the small U shape on the end of the bracket. E Miller was better known for producing lamps and they were one of the very early manufacturers of kerosene burners. They did make a few lanterns also. Your lantern may have been made by Miller or it could just have a burner that was sold by Miller to another manufacturer. A Dietz Fire King uses a similar bracket to this one. The link is for a short history of Edward Miller Company which is on Dan Edminster's site, The Lampworks.com.  Link 1  Posted Tuesday, July 10, 2012 by KM

 Q2367 Age of Lamp?  I just picked this up and all I know about it is it's a Handlan the tag says NYNHH-R which I know is New York New Haven Hartford Railroad but I can't find out what year it is. Tell me what you think.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, July 9, 2012 by MK   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. MK; I’ve been hoping someone with more knowledge on this than I have would chime in and offer some specifics. I’m never sure how much experience or background readers like yourself have or how specific an answer a writer wants; having said that, I’ll offer a few very broad parameters. - Kerosene Marker Lamps such as yours were phased out on American railroads in the early to mid 1970s so it is at least that old. That particular style, one lens mounted in a hinged flip-up door, was peculiar to just a few eastern railroads; Pennsylvania, New Haven, Long Island among them. Adlake and Dressel also made this style of lamp for the same railroads. I have no idea when this style of lamp went out of production as lamps were very sturdily made and survived decades of fairly rough service. As lamp designs didn’t change much over the years it can be nearly impossible to pin down a production date by anything more than a span of several decades. - The fact that this style lamp is not listed in the 1956 catalog (link 1)does not mean that it could not be ordered from Handlan at that time. As these were specially made for just a handful of lines it may have been intentionally omitted from that catalog due to being so specific to those few railroads that it lacked general interest to other buyers. Lamps were custom made, order by order, as ordered, to the specifics of the purchasing railroad. - My ‘guess’ on your lamp; no newer than the mid 1960s and no older than the mid 1920s, ..likely from the 1940s or 1950s. -- When kerosene Switch Lamps and Marker Lamps were taken out of service in the 1970s, there were quite a few lamps still in use that were verifiably from the nineteen-teens and twenties! ...that’s half a century of use !! - I have seen photos of your style of lamp in use in the mid 1950s and I think somewhere I have a photo dating to the early 1960s -- In your photo, it appears that the “Handlan, St. Louis” lettering goes around the edge of the cap in a circle; is that right? If so it is a more recent model. If the lettering goes straight across the cap in two lines, it is an older model, though I can’t tell you specifically how much newer or older either style is. - If it is an older model, it is likely no older than the 1920s, as earlier Handlan lamps looked quite different. Q2347 goes into some discussion on Handlan lamps too. --- ....Red Beard  Link 1  Posted Wednesday, July 11, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. I need the font and burner for this. I have the exact lamp. Model number etc would be a big help Posted Tuesday, April 28, 2015 by Cw

 Q2366 S.P. De Mex. Marking  I have had this adlake kero 3-40 for most of my life. My mother and I were out picking garage sales in Anaheim CA back in the mid seventies. Last year I was standing in the garage looking at the lamp and I see under all that lead silver railroad paint a raised area on the side of the hood. So I got out the Dremmel tool and revealed a brass badge that says: Adlake marca registrado hecho en USA 9115 the Adams and Westlake Co. New York Elkhart Chicago ..On the top of the hood it says S.P. De Mex. The Adams and Westlake Co. also under all the paint inscribed with electric pencil is C.C.R. Now this was all under a thick layer of that silver paint that was probably the same paint the military uses...Anyone have any solid info? Thank You for your time.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Friday, July 6, 2012 by Scotty   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. According to research that I did, S.P. De Mex was the Mexican subsidiary of the Southern Pacific Railroad. It seems to have operated until 1951 when it was sold to the Mexican Governmet. What C.C.R. means, I am not sure. Posted Saturday, July 7, 2012 by JN

A. I know there is no way to tell or not but I was reading up a bit on the Southern Pacific lines in Mexico and the Copper Canyon was Southern Pacific trains as far as I can tell..Thanks for the information. Posted Saturday, July 7, 2012 by Scotty

A. The route through Copper Canyon was not completed until 1961, then part of the Chihuahua al Pacifico owned by the Mexican government, and long after SP involvement. The etched letters (CCR or maybe COR) are more likely the initials of somebody that was assigned this lantern --but there really is no way to tell. Posted Monday, July 9, 2012 by RJMc

 Q2364 Two Clear Lenses  Hi. Why would a lamp have two clear lenses rather than red & green? It is a lamp with marking of CM&StP RRWY Thank you  Posted Tuesday, July 3, 2012 by DD   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Hi DD: Your lamp is from the Milwaukee Road , Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul. Depending on the configuration of the lenses it served one or the other of two purposes. If the lenses are 180° apart, half way around the lamp from each other, the lamp is for lighting an Order Board. If the lenses are 90° apart it is a Classification Lamp (Class Lamp). see Link 1 (on Link Page: Order Board Lamp ; First row, lamp on the right, which has a second lens on the opposite side of the lamp; A Class Lamp is shown in the middle of the third row of photos on the same page.) --- Q1937 has a good photo of an Order Board Lamp. Q2342 has a good photo of a typical Class Lamp, though it’s been painted an unusual color since it left the railroad. --- Classification Lamps were placed on either side of the front of an engine. Unscheduled trains were considered “Extra” trains and they would carry lit white (clear) Class Lamps. Scheduled trains had unlit Class Lamps , UNLESS there were so many cars that the train had to be split into two or more sections. (this happened frequently with passenger trains, especially in busy seasons) If a scheduled train ran in two or more sections the very last section of the train carried unlit class lamps (indicating it was the last part of the scheduled train and no more sections were coming) and all preceding sections carried green class lamps (announcing that additional sections of the train were following soon) . If your lamp is a Classification Lamp there will be a slot behind the lenses where a green filter can be inserted or there will be a moving mechanism that would swing a green filter up and down behind the clear lenses to make the light green or clear. --- Order Boards were located at stations and signaled the engineer if there were Train Orders to be picked up as the train passed. Green meant no orders and red meant there were orders. The Order Board looked like double sided Semaphore with movable blades and colored lenses on both sides to signal trains moving in either direction. Both sides of the Order Board signal were lit by the same lamp, so the lamp needed two clear lenses 180° apart. There might be Train Orders for west bound trains so that side would signal red, but no orders for east bound trains so that side would be set to display green. -- Feel free to ask any additional questions... --- ....Red Beard Link 1  Posted Tuesday, July 3, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

 Q2363 Name of Burner Assembly  Can anyone tell me the proper name of the burner assembly that fit into the drop down font for the bell bottom, second generation XCLR switchman lantern?  Posted Saturday, June 30, 2012 by RS   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. I can't give you a name or number for it.Here is information from "Lanterns That Lit Our World" (book one)by Anthony Hobson, page 110. "Improved X.L.C.R. 1914 to 1925 Borned siganl oil. Equipped with a "wing lock" burner fitting into a slip collar and resting on a fiber washer permanently secured to the font. A short turn of the wrist securely locked the burner, making it spill proof even if swung to signal." Posted Saturday, June 30, 2012 by KM

 Q2361 Fresnel Globes  Hello, Have enjoyed your Railroadiana website. Have learned quite a bit about lanterns here. My question is: how did the Deitz traffic guard Fresnel globes find their way into railroad lanterns? I don’t think lanterns came with them, but were changed once received. Some of the Antique dealers I have had contact with swear that Fresnel globes were standard on railroad lanterns. I don’t think so. Thanks.  Posted Thursday, June 28, 2012 by RDC   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. They did come standard in Erie Lackawanna and PRR for two that I knew. I sure they did in others. They are much more efficent in spreading and directing light. Posted Thursday, June 28, 2012 by BK

A. Sorry that second link for the Traffic Guard globe is not working here, the size is 2&7/8" top, 2&7/8" bottom by 3&5/16" tall. It is a Dietz #853 globe in Fresnel and a #855 in a smooth globe. Posted Thursday, June 28, 2012 by KM

A. RR hand lanterns had multiple purposes and often, globes to suit the purpose. Trainmen needed (and still need) hand lanterns at night both to pass signals and for working light. Plain globes served both purposes. Although globes are no longer necessary, today's electric trainmen's hand lanterns still have open bulbs to do these functions. Crossing watchmen (and probably tower operators) needed hand lanterns mostly as traffic warning devices; Fresnel globes are better for warnings, but not good for general illumination. The electric warning lights on today's crossing gates all have Fresnel lenses. The older lamp supplier catalogs elsewhere on this site show that both types of globes were available at the purchasing RR's option. I suspect that Fresnel globes became 'standard' on kerosene lanterns on EL and PRR when the trainmen already were all using electric hand lanterns and only crossing watchmen and towers still had kerosene lanterns (into the 1960's at least).  Posted Thursday, June 28, 2012 by RJMc

A. The #40 Traffic Guard and a short globe railroad lantern have different size globes and I don't think they will interchange. See the two links for W.T. Kirkman Co.'s replacement globes for each one and the sizes of them. Link 1  Link 2  Posted Thursday, June 28, 2012 by KM

A. KM is correct, although they look similar, the railroad size Fresnel globes and Dietz or Embury Traffic Gard (spelled Gard on purpose) globes are not interchangeable due to the differences in size, I've often even seen porch light globes stuck in R.R. lanterns also. The railroad Fresnel globes were an optional choice when ordered from the manufacturer and as RJMc states are better suited for static signals rather than hand signaling or illumination. W.M. Posted Friday, June 29, 2012 by W.M.

 Q2360 Lantern/Lamp ID Needed  I have exhausted all internet search possibilities to attempt to identify this great lamp that I bought at local antique shop. Is there any assistance your organization can provide? Its an outstanding piece.. I think its a signal lamp, but I really have no clue...   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, June 27, 2012 by SL   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. It's a French locomotive headlamp. Posted Saturday, June 30, 2012 by JAJ

A. This lamp does have a European look to it. See Q1045 in the Archives which is about an SNCF headlamp. That lamp is 24 inches tall, made from cast iron and has a bracket on the back that holds it on the locomotive. The link shows locomotives that are at the French National Railway Museum. The third and fifth photos from the top show lamps that are on the pilot beam that look similar to yours. If your lamp is smaller it might be a driving lamp for a carriage or early automobile. Many driving lamps have the colored lens in the back like yours has.  Link 1  Posted Saturday, June 30, 2012 by KM

A. It's definitely a French loco headlamp. The copper chimney is a give-away! I collect French railwayana and have similar examples. Posted Wednesday, July 4, 2012 by JAJ

 Q2358 Globe Question  I Bought some RR Items from the Family of 40 year RR Man. in the Items was 3 Clear 6 inch tall globes with Corning type bases. These Globes have an Overall Etched Flower Design. a pattern of the same flower covering the entire globe, Didn't know if they may have been in some parlor car lantern, lamp. He worked for the Nickel Plate RR. Thanks.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Saturday, June 23, 2012 by AW   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. This has been posted for a week now and no one else has recognized these globes. I don't think they are from a railroad car. I looked through several books, "Nickel Plate Road Passenger Service The Postwar Years" by Kevin Holland, "Mr. Pullman's Elegant Palace Car" by Lucius Beebe, and "The American Railroad Passenger Car" by John H. White Jr. Those books all have photos of interiors of cars and I did not see any globes like yours. I also rode on the NKP passenger trains in the 60's and do not remember seeing any light fixtures that would take this style of globe. And I have done a fair amount of work about 40 years ago in NKP cars #64 and #90,which are coaches not parlor cars,and they did not have globes like this.  Posted Saturday, June 30, 2012 by KM

A. I suspect that since the same flower pattern is repeated, it may be somebody's trademark or company symbol. The design looks somewhat Oriental to me, but so far I have eliminated cherry blossoms and chrysanthemums. Mountain laurel looks somewhat similar. There are a very large number of possibilities. My familiarity with flower types is pretty limited (dandelions) but if somebody can identify the flower that is pictured, we may be able to make a connection to a railroad or other company. If you think you recognize the blossom, the Link has photos of almost every wild flower in the Eastern US, at least, to test your theory.  Link 1  Posted Tuesday, July 3, 2012 by RJMc

A. Looks like Poppy to me, but which..red, oriental, golden? Posted Friday, May 3, 2019 by ShastaRoute

 Q2356 Lamp Date  Can any one date this Dressel Switch Lamp?   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, June 19, 2012 by MW   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Also see Q1937 for some chronology of Dressel top caps. -- ...Red Beard Posted Wednesday, June 20, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. MW: That is a No. 206-1/2 Lamp. It can be identified by the cast base which is pretty much Dressel's equivalent of the base on Adlake's 1112 lamps. It has a universal cast malleable iron base fitted with a spring loaded floating socket block. The dimensions of the end of the switch stand target rod, where the lamp sat in service, varied from railroad to railroad and the floating spring loaded socket block could be inserted to match the switch stands of the particular railroad ordering the lamp. These lamps were listed in the 1926 Dressel catalog; how much earlier than that they were produced? ..I don't know; probably not too much. It's a "Balanced Draft" lamp; equivalent to Adlake's "Non Sweating" lamp which was developed in the early 1900s. They could still be found in service clear up to the end of kerosene lamps in the early to mid 1970s -- ....Red Beard. Posted Wednesday, June 20, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

 Q2355 Bulb Number?  Good morning. I just bought a pair of these caboose marker lights but I do not have the bulbs. Would you happen to know what the bulb number would be? Thank you,   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, June 19, 2012 by Allen   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. These will take almost any 12v auto single pin lamp. You can also find 120 volt versions at an electrical suplly store.That's what I used in mine. Posted Wednesday, June 20, 2012 by BK

 Q2352 Lantern/Lamp ID Needed  Railroad lantern or marine? My dad purchased it a minimum 60 to 70 years ago. I would guess the age to be at least 70 years. He put a incandescent bulb socket inside and painted it blue. Original color looks to be red. Would anyone know anything about it?   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, June 11, 2012 by PE   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Another thing that I notice is that you probably cannot change the globe because the wire guards are fastened to the top and bottom and there does not seem to be a hinge to open the lantern up. Posted Saturday, June 16, 2012 by KM

A. My thought is that this is not railroad or marine. Checking through both volumes of "Lanterns That Lit Our World" by Anthony Hobson, Dennis Pearson's book "Classic Lanterns" and "The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Railroad Lighting,Volume 1-The Railroad Lantern" by Richard Barrett does not help with any information on what is left of this lantern. What is unusual is the square ribbed pattern that is cast into the globe, and that it has only vertical wire globe guards and no horizontal ones. If this were a railroad or marine lamp those things would be quickly recognized by folks that contribute to this Q&A.  Posted Saturday, June 16, 2012 by KM

A. I suspect this is a porch or post light fixture, always electrically lit. See the Link for a very similar fixture as a porch light, including the bail to hang it, and a Fresnel globe. Other clues are the small round knobs fastening the wire guards to the brim; these are identical to my front porch light fixture. Also, there is no real chimney capacity, just simulated == and no sign of a font for lantern fuel.  Link 1  Posted Saturday, June 16, 2012 by RJMc

 Q2350 BR Marking  Quick question for the experts: I've seen quite a few switch lamps (most commonly Adlake 1112s) marked with either 'BR' or 'B.R.'. I doubt this means British Rail, nor 'Burlington Route' as claimed by many. Seems to me they would mark CB&Q. Thank you!  Posted Friday, June 1, 2012 by Jim   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. See prior Q's 1863 and 1836 for extensive, and I believe authoritative, discussion of how the greater Burlington RR (including subsidiaries Fort Worth & Denver and Colorado & Southern) marked a wide range of stuff "BR" or "B.R." and virtually ceased using "CB&Q" for these kinds of things. Posted Friday, June 1, 2012 by RJMc

A. Thank you for your links to the information. Interestingly, I tried to do a search for "BR" on this page and didn't find any articles. These are most helpful. Jim Posted Friday, June 1, 2012 by Jim

A. Yes, the search feature is sometimes (often) difficult and may take quite a while unless you already have the prior question number(s). On further reflection about 'BR' vs. 'CB&Q', I suspect it had to do with 'corporate image' considerations. 'Chicago' we all know is a glorious place in railroad terms, but 'Burlington (Iowa)' and 'Quincy (Missouri)' are both along the Mississippi River each only a little over 200 miles from Chicago. An older 1949 Railway Guide in the 'Burlington Route' entry boasts of '11,000 Miles Serving 14 States.' The routes went as far north as the Twin Cities, as far northwest as Billings, Montana, west to Denver; south to Galveston, Texas. But if somebody thought from just the name that serving Burlington and Quincy was the whole railroad, it represented less than 4% of what the system really did (not counting the west end of the California Zephyr, which ran on connecting lines west of Denver). That at a time when most of its competitors had 'and Pacific' in their brand names. So I can see why they may have preferred 'Burlington Route' and 'Everywhere West' rather than continuously reminding people that they never got quite as far west as some of their competitors.  Posted Friday, June 1, 2012 by RJMc

A. RJMc, those are some good thoughts. Growing up in Omaha we always called it "the Burlington" and it wasn't 'til years later I heard it referred to as "the Q" by many railfans. As a kid I always thought "Burlington" had such a majestic ring to it. Going down to "the Burlington" for dinner was a big event; back in the '50s the Burlington Station in Omaha (the one Walthers' Union Station model is taken from) had a very fine restaurant in it. It was one of the few fine dining restaurants in town where you could find a menu that wasn't exclusively steaks and spaghetti (seriously!) -- ....Red Beard  Posted Saturday, June 2, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. When I started collecting back in about 1969, the BR thing confused me also. Then we went to northwest IL on a short weekend vacation and watched a Burlington passenger train speed by. We were near a switch that had an ADLAKE lock marked BR. That cinched it for me..Burlington Route. Posted Tuesday, June 19, 2012 by BobF

 Q2348 Lantern/Lamp ID Needed  Hi Guys, I found this lantern in a junk shop and have been trying to find out what kind of lantern it is... To no avail. I would greatly appreciate any help. It's +/- 40cm tall and the only makings is in the second image. Kind Regards,   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, May 31, 2012 by CM, South Africa   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Sorry about leaving out the second image, It is a closeup image of a stamping that reads: R67939 Posted Friday, June 1, 2012 by We Editor

A. FYI: The second image you mention as showing markings did not make it to the web site. But lamps that have loops in the bails, such as this one has in both top and bottom, were often for marine use on ships or canal boats, where the loops were used to suspend or tie down the lamp with ropes. (Such loops were also used to hang lamps from road warning barricades -- but for that application there was no need for both top and bottom loops.)  Posted Friday, June 1, 2012 by RJMc

A. The link is for the website, "Big Ship Salvage.com" that shows many different styles of marine and nautical lamps. The ninth photo from the top shows a similar lamp to yours. And now for the disclaimer, many of the marine lamps have been reproduced for a long time and are sold as novelty/decorater items (you might also read that "fake".)The fakes frequently are offered as originals by later owners who may not know or folks wiling to participate in frauds. I am not saying that this is one, just giving you a heads up. Link 1  Posted Saturday, June 9, 2012 by KM

 Q2347 Lamp Questions  First let me say that I am a NEW entry into the railroad collection world. With that, I appreciate all of the information on your website I discovered last night. Recently purchased a Caboose Marker Light with the markings 'C & O RY' at an retired railroad man's estate sale. His collection of railroad artifacts was very extensive. On the very top (and the kero pot) is the markings Handlan St. Louis. There may be other markings that I have yet to detect. It seems to be in very good condition, including all four lenses and burner system. My inital questions are: (1) With the C & O RY markings, how do I know which company the light is from? CUMBERLAND & OHIO vs COVINGTON & OHIO vs CHESAPEAKE & OHIO. (2) (3) The paint on the lamp is chipped in a few places. What would have been the original finish on this style of light? Thank you in advance for any assistance you may be able to provide me concerning this new found artifact.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 by RE   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Welcome to the hobby! Just to start shedding some light here, this is a switch lamp, not a caboose lamp. Your switch lamp was bolted to a 1&1/4 inch square rod. A caboose lamp uses many of the same parts as a switch lamp, but it has a bracket on the bottom that allows the lamp body to turn so that different colors can be displayed to the back and sides depending on which side of the car it is placed. And this is from the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, it is too new to be from the other two roads. The Cumberland and Ohio was around from 1870 to 1880 and then again from 1889 to 1898. The Covington and Ohio was from 1867 to 1868. Link 1 is for the Railroad Lamps page from the Library found elsewhere on this site, and Link 2 is a photo of a switch lamp taken from that page. Most of the time,(but not always) switch lamps have large colored day targets which are fastened around the lenses with a clamp. Link 1  Link 2  Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 by KM

A. Link 1 is shows a 1956 Handlan 100th Anniversary catalog that is posted the Railroadiana Library, and Link 2 is for page 2 from the catalog which covers lamps like your switch lamp and also caboose marker lamps.  Link 1  Link 2  Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 by KM

A. Thank you for the information and clarification. You are providing a great service to us all. Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 by REE

A. I do appreciate the posting and the response with such valuable information for a novice like myself. One more question: This lamp has 4 lenses. 2 are red and 2 are blueish green. It surprises me that there was not a yellow on one side. Is this normal? The lenses appear to be heavy, thick glass.  Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 by REE

A. Hi. There is no need to have a yellow lens on a switch lamp. A switch (turnout in railroad parlance to avoid confusing with an electrical switch) normally has 2 positions: Normal and Reverse. When a switch is in Normal position (set for the main line or main route through the turnout) the green lights shine parallel to the rails to show a train coming from either direction that the turnout is lined for the main. When the turnout is set for Reverse (set for the diverging route, passing siding, spur, etc) then the red show parallel to the rails. Yellow has no place except on lights used to indicate track occupancy or speed restrictions such as block signals. Posted Thursday, May 31, 2012 by JN

A. Generally speaking, red and green color aspects on a switch lamp indicated a mainline switch. Yellow and green would usually indicate a yard switch (turnout is a term more often used in model railroading). Some roads used lunar white, a blueish white, instead of green in their yard switch lamps.  Posted Thursday, May 31, 2012 by JFR

A. This is truly something that needs to be documented while some of us who saw the things in actual use are still around and can still straighten it out as there is increasing confusion on lens colors, which is compounded by people assembling lamps from parts and replacement glass being purchased on eBay --- Clearly another one where I hope DJB will chime in as he has a rail-employee knowledge base that predates mine. Kerosene lamps were gone by my hire date and my in-use recollections, much like TE’s, are as a teen railfan. --- In the Omaha - Council Bluffs area; - - Union Pacific, all Red & Green, main line and yard with Purple and Green on derails; Purple = derail set, and Green = clear to pass; Markers, 1 Red & 3 Green, Except for a few used on trains running on AT&SF tracks over Cajon Pass going in and out of Los Angeles which had to match the AT&SF in 1 Red & 3 Yellow. (an OSL marked one here with me in Y&R) -- CB&Q, all Red and Green, main line and yard with Purple and Yellow for derail; Purple = derail set, and Yellow = clear to pass, all markers 1 Red & 3 Green. -- Missouri Pacific, vast numbers of Yellow and Green lamps in the yards, can’t say I ever noticed a main line switch lamp on the MoP, so I can’t comment on those. C&NW, mostly Red & Green everywhere with a rare occasional Green & Yellow in a siding or small yard, Yellow and Lunar in their engine house yard, which I was told were spring switches; Lunar = set straight through and Yellow = set to the curve. From color photos, Proviso Yard in Chicago was full of Yellow & Lunar lamps; Markers, 1 Red & 3 Green. --- Milw, Mostly Red & Green with some Green & Yellow in some yards. -- Wabash/N&W in Council Bluffs; Old original Wabash yard lamps were Red & Green and newer replacement lamps from the N&W were Yellow and Green (and they were those “#&%@!” Stimsonite things Unkle Davis was griping about in Q2341) ..I actually kinda like ‘em in those N&W lamps. -- Elsewhere; -- SP, all Southern Pacific lamps I’ve ever seen have been Yellow and Green, I’ve never seen a verified original SP lamp with red & green (their markers were red & green; 3 Green, 1 Red). -- AT&SF; the overwhelming number of Santa Fe switch lamps I’ve seen have been Yellow & Green with a few Green & Red showing up in post-railroad ownership photos; All AT&SF markers were 1 Red, 3 Yellow, (one here on the floor). -- Pennsylvania, The vast majority of PRR lamps I’ve seen in collections or in photos are Yellow & Lunar. -- Western Pacific, the few I’ve seen in photos of were Yellow & Green. -- Northern Pacific; likewise, Yellow & Green (own two). -- Great Northern had both Red & Green and Yellow & Green and even had a numbered tag on them to tell the difference in where they should be applied; G.N. No.5 was Yellow & Green (one sitting on the floor next to me) and G.N. No.4, Red & Green. G.N. Markers being 1 Red & 3 Yellow. ..always thought Red & Yellow markers looked really cool!) -- Frisco in K.C, Yellow and Green switch lamps. ---- ....Red Beard Posted Thursday, May 31, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. Much of it has been documented, just look in the operating rulebooks of the railroads. The rulebooks of the major Class I railroads are pretty easy to find, for the 20th Century anyway. Sometimes color aspects changed on roads over the years, so a range of dates would be helpful on some roads. The early rulebooks also interpret to mix of red, yellow, and green on markers and white and green on class lamps indicating what type of train was on what track, how many sections and it's direction. This was before radios and CTC so train crews depended on the unique mix of color aspects to keep the traffic identified and moving correctly.  Posted Thursday, May 31, 2012 by JFR

A. Yes, as stated above, the rule books of the railroads often define these various color schemes for markers, class lights, signal indications, and often switch and derail lamps as well. The Link is to a site where you can read a complete Erie RR rulebook from the 1930's which was posted on a much earlier question about marker light colors. Older, somewhat tattered (used) but readable rule books for many RR's are often available very economically and make great references for these kinds of questions. Even after 'Standard Codes' and 'Uniform Codes' of rules were adopted by groups of RR's, each railroad almost always had some unique practices of its own, and they were shown in the rule books.  Link 1  Posted Friday, June 1, 2012 by RJMc

A. Thanks DJB - One of the most magical scenes in railroading was a small, nearly empty, well vegetated yard at twilight. Tall grasses and weeds and low hanging branches dotted with slowly blinking fireflies, a few scattered well weathered reddish-brown box cars and a dozen or so lit switch lamps softly glowing and standing sentinel on tall switch stands. - (The transfer yard on the east end of the UP yards in Council Bluffs was a somewhat larger one of these.) -- Another was a lone lamp on a small town siding in the summer. There was something so fascinating about that single, soft, steady glow where a dot of civilization trailed off into the countryside; both of these scenes made all the more dramatic by the fact that the world was actually dark back then, no omnipresent sky-glow from a kajillion watts worth of streetlamps. -- ...Red Beard - © 2012, Red Beard the Railroad Raider Posted Friday, June 1, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. Hello RE, As Red Beard mentioned,I started on the railroad about 3 years before they stopped using kerosene switchlamps and caboose marker lamps.It was quite a sight to see whole yards full of lighted switch lamps on a very windy night when they would sometimes flicker and appear to wink at you. I can tell you what some of my area roads used for lense colors in their lamps from memory.The Soo used R/G on the mainline,Y/G on side or yard tracks and G/Lunar on spring switches.Their marker lamps used R/G.I never saw a SOO derail with a lamp on it.The GB&W used R/G on the main line,Y/G on side tracks and R/G in their markers.Their derails had no lamps to my knowledge.The C&NW used R/G on the mainline and Y/L on their yard switches and Purple/Y on their derails as well as R/G in their markers.The Milw used R/G on the mainline,Y/G on the side tracks and yard switches and R/G in their markers.I have never seen a derail lamp used on the Milw.but they may have used them very early on as was the case of the other roads mentioned. The GB&W in later days after discontinuing use of switchlamps,kept their lamp bodies and day targets intact and covered them with 3M reflectorized tape of the correct colors,filled in the lense openings with plywood cutouts, and kept on using the old bodies as switch indicators.The GN did the same with their old switchlamp bodies but replaced the lenses first with glass Corning doublet reflectors and later with plastic colored reflector lenses but they were not Stimsonite as I recall. Eventually the railroads that reused the old lamp bodies for this purpose,removed them also, when the new 3M reflectorized switch targets became available. Another fact that hastened the removal of the switchlamps on some railroads was that the various state public service commisions often allowed their removal on lines that were equipped with automatic block and/or CTC signal systems,the reason being that all switches in these signal territories were equipped with switch point connected control boxes that detected any mainline switchpoint that was open a quarter inch or greater and caused the signals on either side of the offending switch to display a red indication until corrected. I hope this sheds some light on the lamp use questions without repeating too much of what Mr.Beard covered.My remarks especially cover the years 1971-1975 when I was a new RR employee and working switchlamps were still in use. DJB Posted Friday, June 1, 2012 by DJB

A. Wow. What great information you experts are providing. Would anyone tell me the approximate period of time this light would have been used? Also the paint on the lamp is chipped (a couple of small places). What would have been the original finish on this style of light? Thanks. Posted Sunday, June 3, 2012 by REE

A. REE: I’m guessing that is an older Handlan lamp from the external wick raiser extension. I’m betting that that heavy casting is open on the bottom; yes or no?? -- On the cap, do the words “Handlan Saint Louis” go around the edge of the cap in a circle, or straight across in two lines? I’m guessing straight across. -- Straight across means it’s an older lamp (how old, I don’t know though) Lamps like that were used up through the end of kerosene lamps in the 1970s as DJB mentions. If the letters go straight across the cap, it could date back to the 1920s, but could have lasted in service till the end in the '70s --- Matching Paint: That’s going to be tough. It may well be “japan black” (with a small “j”) Henry Ford was the most famous user of “japan black” paint. Why did he use it? ..because it dried fast!! -- It was also tough and it laid very flat giving a nice appearance. Assembly line production of the Model-T demanded that everything be done as quickly as possible and japan black was the fastest drying paint available at the time. Color pigment paints could take up to 14 days to thoroughly dry; japan black would dry in 48 hours. Ford’s famous quote about being able to have your car in any color you wanted, ..as long as it was Black was true and it was because of that fact; it was the only paint he could use to keep up the speed of production. -- It also sticks exceptionally well to iron and steel. It is somewhat flexible and elastic when dry and resists chipping and pealing and cracking on metal subject to vibration and thermal expansion and contraction (switch lamps go through a lot of that). This also made it ideal for railroad use. If you have seen pictures or models of old colorful refrigerator cars, the metal parts on them are usually painted black. This wasn’t to make them look fancy, it was that “japan black” stuck really well to metal parts and afforded much better protection than the colorful paints that stuck just fine to wood, but not nearly as well to metal parts. --- Do not confuse “japan drier” with “japan black” paint; “japan drier” (aka “paint japan”) is a drying agent added to oil based paints to make them dry faster. --- “japan black” is pretty much a particular kind of asphalt, known as is uintaite or uintahite (mined and marketed under the trade marked name Gilsonite), which has been dissolved in naphtha or turpentine and blended with linseed oil. Technically, it is a ‘pigmentless’ paint as no color pigment is added; the intense black color coming directly from the main ingredient, Gilsonite. Some japan black paints did have carbon black added to them, many did not. ---Bottom Line; that’s going to be a tough finish to match. ...Try some automotive lacquer. It should look better than an enamel like Krylon or Rustolium --- ....Red Beard, © 2012 - Red Beard the Railroad Raider.  Posted Sunday, June 3, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. That wick raiser extension seems to be somewhat unique to C&O Handlan switch lamps and markers and may have been used close to the end of actual railroad production. I believe it's possible that lamps made into the 1960's or possibly later have that unique feature. I've always used that characteristic, perhaps incorrectly at times, to judge whether a Handlan C&O lamp was authentic rr issue or a Railfinders unit, with the more conventional longer external wick raiser, that was made for the railfan/museum market. Also, many of the C&O lamps had multiple marking tags on them. Some collectors over the years have taken advantage of that and put a C&O door on an umarked lamp while the other tags remained on the original lamp, creating two marked lamps. The wickraiser would be the tell on the previously unmarked lamp that it was probably a collector's creation rather than an authentic C&O lamp. Anyway, I would conclude that RE's lamp is authentic. Posted Monday, June 4, 2012 by JFR

A. JFR: - That's good information about the extension. I have some old Handlans marked WABASH that have a longer extension apparently for use with day targets. Those lamps are top opening. Do you have any idea as to when Handlan started making the side door style lamps? Have you seen any side door lamps with the older style cap that has "Handlan St. Louis" in a straight line? -- ...Red Beard Posted Monday, June 4, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. Sorry, Red, I don't know when Handlan started production of the side door lamps. I've seen a few side door Handlans with the straight line lettering. MoPac, ICRR, FRISCO, and NYC are some that I remember seeing. If I remember correctly, the MoPac lamp was dated 1928 or 1929, possibly giving an indication of production in the years beyond 1910 as stated in Dreimiller's excellent reference book. Often these earlier Handlan lamps had riveted instead of spotwelded door lifts (or no doorlifts), heavier gauge bails and an external patent plate. The RR tag was usually spotwelded on the lamp body instead of on the door. Of course that MoPac top could have been a reclamation shop swap, but it looked all original and unrestored. Posted Monday, June 4, 2012 by JFR

A. Thanks to all for your responses. Red Beard, you asked: I’m betting that that heavy casting is open on the bottom; yes or no?? Yes - sending a photo via email. You also asked: On the cap, do the words “Handlan Saint Louis” go around the edge of the cap in a circle, or straight across in two lines? I’m guessing straight across. They are going around the cap - sending a photo. As for the paint issue, I believe that I will just allow the piece to remain as is. The few places that have chips are small and inconsequential and being the novice, I think I would do more harm than good. JFR commented on the wick raiser. I have included a photo of that and he also mentioned the door lift. I believe it has rivets - sending photo. This will also reveal the paint chips that I referred to earlier. Posted Monday, June 4, 2012 by REE

A. I looked over my group of newer and older Handlan switchlamps and I have also taken note that the older models had the 2 lines of data on the top cap as compared to the circular data on the newer lamps' top caps but here are a couple of other details to check.The older lamps are very noticeably heavier overall and the guage of the metal is much heavier.The older lamps make greater use of rivets as opposed to spot welds,and the RR I.D. tags are often made in a semi-circular shape with larger letters than the newer models.Lastly,the older models I have,bear the word Handlan cast into the cast iron mounting foot that mounts the lamp on the switcstand tip. DJB Posted Monday, June 4, 2012 by DJB

A. Thanks to all for your responses. Red Beard, you asked: I’m betting that that heavy casting is open on the bottom; yes or no?? Yes - sending a photo via email. You also asked: On the cap, do the words 'Handlan Saint Louis' go around the edge of the cap in a circle, or straight across in two lines? I’m guessing straight across. They are going around the cap - sending a photo. As for the paint issue, I believe that I will just allow the piece to remain as is. The few places that have chips are small and inconsequential and being the novice, I think I would do more harm than good. JFR commented on the wick raiser. I have included a photo of that and he also mentioned the door lift. I believe it has rivets - sending photo. This will also reveal the paint chips that I referred to earlier. [See link to composite photo] Link 1  Posted Wednesday, June 6, 2012 by REE

 Q2345 Switchstand  Hello everyone, I purchased this switch stand last week. I found it unusual in that it is so much shorter than the other ones I own. It is only 16 inches tall to the top of the round plate where the round pole starts, all the normal ones are 26 inch at this point. Could anyone answer what this was made this short for? I thought maybe Knotts or Disney or some kind of amusement park? One more question what does the word Foamer mean? And where did that word start? Thanks.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, May 22, 2012 by MG   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. MG,Just a thought--- maybe a mining application. The coal mines in my area of Virginia used downsized everything associated with the mine rail. Posted Tuesday, May 22, 2012 by GaryP

A. My understanding, dating back at least to the late 1960's (when many main line excursion steam engines began running in various parts of the country)is that 'A Foamer' is a derogatory term for a railfan so impressed by seeing a steam locomotive that he (or she)'foams at the mouth' (generally, goes crazy) at the sight of one. The implication also is that 'foamers' don't do much to support operations, just stand around and 'foam' and enjoy the work of others without contributing in any serious way. It is NOT a compliment....  Posted Tuesday, May 22, 2012 by RJMc

A. Hello, thanks for the info. I found a web sight it said that the Santa fe used a low star switch stand that match's the height of my stand used in 1923.Thanks againMg Posted Wednesday, May 23, 2012 by mg

A. mg; could you post a link to the web site you mention? ..also; what does that little stand weigh? -- ...Red Beard Posted Wednesday, May 23, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. Hello I forgot,its heavy and has a number stamped into it N.8.28 ThanksMG Posted Wednesday, May 23, 2012 by mg

A. Hello again I went to goggle patent and entered Pettibone Mulliken Low Star switch stand,the company was in Chicago.ThanksMG Posted Wednesday, May 23, 2012 by mg

A. ...also, can I get you to slap a tape measure on the base plate on each of those and tell us the dimensions? In the photo it looks like the base plate on the smaller black stand is significantly smaller than the base plate on the larger rusty one. If the base plate on the small stand isn't long enough to functionally span two full size ties plus the gap, it was probably for mine track or a Zoo Railroad application. -- I recently found some very old 3" spikes in a gravel alley in Boulder, Colorado and no locals had a guess as to how those got there, though there were hundreds of mines in the area -- ....Red Beard Posted Wednesday, May 23, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. Hello, I do not know how to post links, but if you goggle santa fe Low Star switch stand it,s on the link that says handlaidtrack. The base measures 20 1/2 by 7 inch and has 3 spike hole at each end. It also says SP used them two, the normal switch is called High Star which I have 5 of them. I bought this last week at rose Bowl and then had it sand blasted then powder coated, to seat next to my caboose stove in the front from, the other type with lantern hit the ceiling.ThanksMG Posted Wednesday, May 23, 2012 by mg

A. Thanks, Alot of nice pics, looks like a short one to me. I found the patent number for the High star 777,447 Dec. 1904, but nothing for the Low Star. Thank you to everyone!MG Posted Thursday, May 24, 2012 by mg

A. A narrow gauge application is also a possibility. The Link describes SP's narrow gauge operations in Nevada and California. At one time the network had more than 300 miles of track; it continued narrow guage operations into the 1960's -- the last surviving common carrier narrow gauge operating in the US.  Link 1  Posted Thursday, May 24, 2012 by RJMc

A. Regarding the low Star switchstands,the Soo Line used and still has many of these stands around at various industrial and yard sites but they are rapidly being replaced by the stand-up,easy-on- the-back type stands.These low Star stands were designed to be spiked to only one headblock tie and were spiked down parrallel with the tie.Otherwise their bases were too small to bridge 2 ties.The eccentric throw was also designed for sideways mounting and throwing of the switchpoints. The Soo line used hundreds of the high Star stands all over their railroad but these are disappearing fast also due to their parent CPR using their standard cast steel Canadian made stands. DJB  Posted Thursday, May 24, 2012 by DJB

A. For general reference the Link has many very detailed photos of various items on the Southern Pacific narrow gauge, including three pix of switchstands. I can't quite tell whether they are the shorter ones or not, but they appear very similar.  Link 1  Posted Thursday, May 24, 2012 by RJMc

A. Sir thanks for the Information, I never noticed that Pettibone was the attorney.Could you find the patent number for the LowStar switch? Thanksmg Posted Saturday, May 26, 2012 by mg

A. Axel Albin Strom was a prolific inventor who held dozens of patents in the 1880's and 1890's for railroad switches and parts, a switch lamp, semaphore and train order signals, track tools, and acetylene lamp devices. Link 1 is patent 344793 from 6/29/1886 for his rail bender. Link 2 is for patent 331341 from 12/1/1885 for a ratchet drill for drilling rail for joint bolts. Strom had his own company, Strom Manufacturing, and some of his patents are assigned to that. Robert F. Pettibone is listed as his attorney, and A. Henry Mulliken is listed as a witness on many of his patents. Pettibone Mulliken was incorporated in 1880 and was a major supplier of track materials. Mulliken represented 14 railroad suppliers during WW1 in negotiations with the government. Pettibone Mulliken became Pettibone Corporation and started making heavy construction equipment like front end loaders, some of which have railroad applications. I will put in a second reply and link to a short history of Pettibone Mulliken. Link 1  Link 2  Posted Saturday, May 26, 2012 by KM

A. Link 1 is the short history for Pettibone. Link 2 is for patent 777447 that was mentioned above.  Link 1  Link 2  Posted Saturday, May 26, 2012 by KM

A. There are so many patents for Axel Strom that it is a big job to check through them, and that assumes that Axel and not someone else was the inventor for the Low Star switch stand. But checking "Pettibone Mulliken" here are some numbers that I came up with for switch stands, obviously most of these are not the specific one. So patented by Axel Strom, 394415 12/11/88, 398354 2/19/89 , design patent for a switch stand standard D34489 from 5/7/01, 777447 from 12/04,782529 from 2/14/05 for a semaphore switch stand, and 934851 from 9/21/09. After 1900 Eugene N.Strom patented switch stands and other railroad items and assigned them to Pettibone also, and I am unsure what the relationship to Axel is(maybe his son?). Eugene's patents are 714060 11/18/02, 888409 5/19/08, and 956834 5/03/10. One other patent that I turned up for Pettibone switch stands is 718348 from 1/13/03 issued to M.W.Hibbard. And just to make this interesting Link 1 shows patent 350857 from 10/12/86 for a machine that roll forms railroad car coupling pins for link and pin cars that was issued to J.J. Anderson and assigned to Pettibone. Link 1  Posted Sunday, May 27, 2012 by KM

 Q2342 Lamp/Lantern ID?  I bought this Adlake lamp at an antique store. It has two clear fresnel lenses, each has a switch by it. On the inside there is a blue lens which can be raised and lowered. I can't find an example of it online. It is not a caboose or a switch lamp. Can anyone identify it and what was it used for? Did any railroad use this paint scheme or was it repainted? I am going to leave it this way. The paint job is old and has no railroad marks. You have a great website. Thanks   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Friday, May 18, 2012 by Dave   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. In the archives elsewhere on this site there is a 1907 Adlake catalog with illustrations; several describe what they called the 'Automatic' color switching feature meaning the displayed color could be selected from outside the lamp. The 1907 versions seem to have a more basic slide-type selector; yours seems to have the same mechanism but 'dressed up some' with a fancier lever arrangement. The two lenses and the basic white color suggests a classification lamp application -- for that the second color is likely green when lit rather than blue. And also look at the 'Electric Railways' section of the 1907 Adlake catalog; electric interurbans and even street railway cars often had their own built-in red electric markers and so needed only the white (extra train) or green (first of two or more sections) lights for classification purposes. Also, the very bright paint scheme (if original) would be more likely from an interurban or street operation than a 'steam' railroad (where soot and grease come along with the 'steam'.) Is there any kind of mounting bracket on the lamp? None is readily visible in the pix. The bracket arrangement would be very helpful to indicate how the lamp was used. As an alternative, if the inner lens is really blue and not green when lit, such a lamp might be to mark tracks where equipment is being worked on, but the two lenses make that kind of unlikely; that configuration is much more consistent with a classification light. Have you checked the bottom of the lamp for RR ID? Sometimes the castings underneath had cast or stamped ID's in them.  Link 1  Posted Saturday, May 19, 2012 by RJMc

A. The Link in the answer above is to one of the 1907 catalog sections; the link below is to the top level index where you can select the Electric Railways section or any of the other sections. Link 1  Posted Saturday, May 19, 2012 by RJMc

A.  Hi Dave: First off, would you do a favor for another reader? See Q 2312. JN who submitted that question could use some detail photos of the mechanism that flips that green filter up and down. Your lamp is a little different than his but the mechanisms are similar and a photo or two from you will give him a start. His e-mail is; jamespnelsonpc@yahoo.com --- Your lamp is an engine classification lamp and the color disks in there are most likely “railroad signal green”. Many people refer to that teal color as “blue”. Take a look at ‘Link 1’. In the upper right corner of the Link photo there is a similar lamp lit. If you study that photo a bit you can make out that those lenses are actually clear with a green color filter behind the clear (“white”) lenses. The lamp in the photo looks like the earlier Round Top (as in RJMc’s Links above) predecessor to your Square Top lamp. This “Automatic” color change feature was quite an advancement in its day. Prior to the development of that externally operated ‘flip-up, flip-down’ mechanism, the top of the lamp had to be opened and a loose colored glass plate had to be inserted behind the clear lens by hand. The colored glass filters were stored in a sheet metal pocket inside the lamp, which meant the filters were hot to the touch if the lamp was already lit, and you’d burn your fingers getting in there. Lit or not, that process was cumbersome at best and resulted in many dropped and broken filters. Opening the body of the lamp also risked the flame blowing out. ..all of which was remedied with the invention of this mechanism. The electrified version of this lamp shows up occasionally too; Same body with a just slightly domed lid and no side door. --- The red and white paint does look kind of nice, but was certainly applied since it left the railroad. -- ....Red Beard  Link 1  Posted Monday, May 21, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. Hi Red Beard: The inside green bevel lenses of my lamp are about 3" in diameter and swivel up and down behind the clear corning lens,when the toggle switch outside is pressed . When pressed the outside lens turns green. It then stays down and has to be flipped back up to go back to clear. When I pressed it, one colored lens popped off and I found out there is a locking tab that snaps it back in. In side of the the lamp I found a small brass or tin tag stamped Adams and Westlake with patents from 1907 thru about 1912 ( why inside). When I bought it the sliding side door was rusted shut It took me 2 hours to loosen it. it has a mica covered peep hole in the center. If you do a google image search under Adlake classification lamp , It shows this model fitted into a large cast iron base. What is interesting is that there is a model in the 1907 Adlake link that has two switches by each lens (red and green) Does any one know if either of these lamps could be switched automatically with another device or was it manual. also what type of burner was used on this model? Thanks Unkle Davis Posted Monday, May 21, 2012 by Unkle Davis

A. Be real careful of those green filters as they are hard to find!! (I call them filters as they are optically neutral and therefore not actually a lens, as a lens has optical focusing properties). I don't know why the patent tag is inside on some lamps; ..anyone??? -- Always keep looking for missing parts as stuff does show up from time to time, but the base bracket for that is going to be near impossible to find. It will have two of the mounting wedge shaped feet on it, 90° apart and situated so that those feet are opposite the lenses when on the lamp. -- On both your lamp and the 1907 one you mention those levers had to be manually flipped up and down. Even on the last EMD Diesels to have built in class lights, someone had to go out and flip a lever to position either the green or red filters behind the lens. --- Oil Pot; see Link 1 for a diagram of the # 270 Adlake Marker, your lamp should take the same oil pot; I've always said they look like a sardine can. The photo in Q2043 shows one of those pretty clearly.(Link 2) They are pricy and usually go for well over $50 on eBay when the bidding is done. -- ....Red Beard Link 1  Link 2  Posted Monday, May 21, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

 Q2340 Light ID Needed  Hello,I bought this yesterday assuming it is a railroad lamp holder. Can anyone help me?I tried to look up Adam & Westlake car lamp pictures, but could not find anything. There is a place on the front where there used to be a oval tag, but the only thing there is solder. Thanks everyone.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Friday, May 11, 2012 by MG   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Although the perspective in the photos makes it a little hard to make out, the wall brackets give it away. This appears to be another example of a 'caboose lamp' base (also used in passenger cars as well as cabooses). See prior Q's 2292, 1687, and 792 for very similar items and more discussion.  Posted Monday, May 14, 2012 by RJMc

A. Correction: the first reference above should be Q 2292. For even more discussion just enter "caboose lamp" in the word or phrase search box.  Posted Monday, May 14, 2012 by RJMc

A. Thank you,It looks alot like the lamp in question 1687,I had never heard of that maker, Thanks again MG Posted Monday, May 14, 2012 by MG

 Q2339 Armspear Model 1925-WTC Embossed  Have the above lantern with the initials W.T.C. embossed on the circular metal plate above the Adlake globe. Any idea what the W.T.C. initials stand for? Thank you in advance. Posted Tuesday, May 8, 2012 by RM   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. One likely candidate is Washington Terminal Company, which operated the Washington (DC) Union Station on behalf of the various major railroads which provided passenger service to it.  Posted Tuesday, May 8, 2012 by RJMc

 Q2336 LV Lamp  I picked this up in the Sayre, PA area. Sayre was a large Lehigh Valley Shop town. This lamp just came out recently. One person told me it was a gauge light for a steam locomotive, another said it was a light for a caboose. It is designed for and holds a 5 3/8 railroad globe. The LVRR cast globe that is in it, came with it to me, and I believe to be original from the railroad that way. Top appears to be tin with copper rivets. Bottom is cast iron. It is built and designed for a extended base globe. Has a threaded receiver in the bottom similar to a standard loco gauge light. So after that long intro...can anyone tell me what it was actually used for?   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, May 3, 2012 by JR   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. This looks exactly like the type of light used to illuminate gauges and work areas in a steam locomotive, in the days before electric lighting. A search on this site may yield past questions with illustrations or other cab lights. It may have been manufactured or made in the railroad's sheet metal shop. If you strip the black paint, you may come up with a maker's mark. Then spray it with Clear-Coat to prevent rust. Posted Friday, May 4, 2012 by Blue Beard The Railroad Trader

A. See Q495 in the Archives which has a photo of an Adams and Wsetlake gauge lamp. The link is for the 1907 A&W catalog page which shows their gauge lamps. I also think that this lamp may be shop made. Is there any manufacturer's marking on the wick adjustment knob? Link 1  Posted Saturday, May 5, 2012 by KM

 Q2330 Lantern Initials & Info Needed  Hello. I recently came across a lantern that I would like you to look at. I am wondering if you could give me more information on it. I'm not looking for an estimate value of it. I believe it to be the 1913 Adlake Reliable. The globe has the letters M.W.S.E.R.Y. on it. I really do not have any idea what that stands for. I am hoping to find out more history on it. The top of it says New York Chicago Phila. Which I'm not really sure if that is an indication of where it originated at or not. Please help me out with any information on it that you can give me. Thank You,   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, April 26, 2012 by RT   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Try Metropolitan West Side Elevated Railway Posted Thursday, April 26, 2012 by DA

A. Here's the Wikipedia article on the "Met" which is part of Chicago's elevated system. It became part of Chicago Rapid Transit Company in 1924. Link 1  Posted Thursday, April 26, 2012 by KM

 Q2328 RR Lighting?  These have been in my family for 50 years. I have looked everywhere to figure out what they are, or where they are from, and I have not had any success finding anything like them. I was told that they were used at railroad station for lighting. Still nothing. Can you tell me what I have? Thanks,   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, April 23, 2012 by Mike   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. As a retired electrician I would say that this is a chandelier type of lighting fixture used in a bank or puplic building. Could even have come from a large train depot.It is way to massive to have been used for any type of RR car lighting. Posted Monday, April 23, 2012 by BK

A. This is a light fixture in the "Art Deco" style which became very popular in the 1920's and '30's for all sorts of buildings and interiors, among many other applications. See the link for a general description of art deco styling. Search "Art Deco Light Fixtures" on the web to see tens of thousands of fixtures in the same general style, but I couldn't happen to match one just like this. This fixture would fit perfectly on the end of a major railroad terminal ticket counter (such as Grand Central, LA Union Station, or any of the famous large terminals); or on the end of a hotel registration desk (look up Palmer House Hotel lobby pix on the web to see the overall look where this would fit), or in a grand theater lobby, or a City Hall or library, just to name some of the possibilities. If I wanted to use this one, I would look for round white globes as the most likely globes to find to fit the style, but much fancier shades or globes might have been used. Since the art deco style was so popular, even worldwide, unless you have more specific info about where the fixture came from, there is no way to pin down where it might have been used. Link 1  Posted Monday, April 23, 2012 by RJMc

A. Here's another try at a link to the right pic., which is a view of the 'Main Waiting Room.'  Link 1  Posted Wednesday, April 25, 2012 by RJMc

A. See the link for a photo of the now-demolished Pennsylvania Station in New York City (or if the link doesn't work just search for images of "New York Pennsylvania Station" on the web and you will get multiple copies of a very similar view). The large post-mounted lamps have the 5 round white globes in a very similar arrangement to how I would picture your fixture being used. Your fixture looks to me right side up in your pic -- as it would be used sitting on a counter -- but it could also have been hung the other way as a chandelier style but I think for that it would have to have much stronger support than it appears to have in the pic.  Link 1  Posted Wednesday, April 25, 2012 by RJMc

 Q2324 Lantern/Lamp Info Needed  Hello, My Father recently gave me a couple lanterns that his father in- law gave him years ago. He said they were from the railroad. I have this one that I cannot find any information on and was hoping someone here can help. This lantern has a square base which i haven't found another like it . It has a red globe that is unmarked. On the top it is marked PT CO. which I realize is for Philadelphia Traction. Also on the fill cap I believe it says, Dietz made in United States of America, but it's kind of hard to read. I would just like to know some history on the lantern if possible. I am not looking for a value I am just interested in when and what this lantern would have been used for.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, April 18, 2012 by AL   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Try http://lanternnet.com/ Posted Wednesday, April 18, 2012 by BK

A.  Electric "traction" companies were streetcar or interurban lines that had considerable in-street trackage. They often had to work in the streets, digging up the pavement to get to the track. The flat bottom base and larger tank suggest this lantern was used for work zone protection where it could be placed on the pavement and would stay lit all night without any further attention. An additional clue would be that lanterns used in that service often had formed wire bails (handles)with loops to hang the lanterns on barricades, but the bail is missing here.  Posted Wednesday, April 18, 2012 by RJMc

A. Thank you RJMc for the info. The wire bail is not missing though it is just folded down on the backside. Can you tell me if possible what this lantern would be called? Posted Wednesday, April 18, 2012 by RJMc

A. Your lantern is a square fount version of the Dietz Hy-Lo lantern, this version spans about 1920's to 1948 I believe. The square tank was an option, most had the usual round fount. They were a popular lantern with utilities, contractors and the like who required the extended burn time. There is a production date stamped on the center tube above the globe, probably obscured by paint and or rust which will tell you when and where it was made. I still have two of these both made in Syracuse N.Y. one in Feb. of '30 marked L.A. Co.(Los Angeles County, CA) and the other Feb. of '32 marked So.Co. Gas (Southern Counties Gas, CA). W.M.  Posted Thursday, April 19, 2012 by W.M.

A. The links are for the Dietz Compendium and the FAQ at W.T. Kirkman's website, lanternnet.com. Woody mentions that the square tank version was made after 1920, usually came with a red globe for contractor use and was unmarked with the Dietz name. The Hy-Lo name stood for high dependability and low price. Also there are about 20 possibilties for PT Co. besides Philadelphia Traction, like Peoples Traction, and Pennsylvania Traction, but having been made after 1920 would limit those. You may need to do some further research to determine if the Philadelphia Traction Company was still in business or had been bought out or absorbed into another company by 1920.  Link 1  Link 2  Posted Friday, April 20, 2012 by KM

 Q2323 Light ID Needed  I recently picked up this railroad traffic light and before I try and find it a new home, I'd like to try and confirm where it came from. I found it in Tucson, Arizona but that's likely far from where it was used. The person I bought it from told me it was from the Long Island Railroad but I've since learned that's not likely the case. Rather, more experienced collectors have indicated it is a very old US&S signal head from the IRT (Interboro Rapid Transit) Pelham line. That would have been one of the elevated rail lines in the NYC area. If you can confirm this or think it sounds feasible, let me know. UPDATE: Actually, I've since learned it's likely a US&S product, and was probably used on the IRT in the NYC area on the Pelham line. If anyone can confirm this, I'd appreciate it. Approximate year of manufacture would also be great. I know the Pelham line was built in 1919. Thanks   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Saturday, April 14, 2012 by RFR   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Are the yellow and red reversed on this? Seems to me the order should be green on top,yellow then red. Did any railroads or transit systems use that order? Photos of the NYC subway system show signals with green on top, yellow red on the bottom. Posted Saturday, April 14, 2012 by KM

A. The red is in the middle with yellow on bottom. I don't know if they were switched at some point or originally installed this way.  Posted Saturday, April 14, 2012 by starkapopolis

A. Definitely not a Long Island signal, the number plate below the signal head will belie it's origins. Really nice signal though...  Posted Friday, November 6, 2015 by signlmn615

 Q2321 PRR Globe Info Needed  I'm looking for any and all info on the pictured globe. I found a couple similar globes in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Railroad Lighting, Volume 1 but not this one. It has no Manufacturers mark, it's 'Seamed' top to bottom on each side, PRR is cast, and is 6 5/16 in. tall, top is 2 13/16 in. measured from the outside, bottom is 3 15/16 in. measured from the outside and is about 5 in. wide at the widest point. I've been collecting PRR lanterns and globes for a while but this is the first of this type. Thanks in advance for any information.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, April 11, 2012 by Dan   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Hello. As something to consider, Pennsylvania RR was not incorporated until the late 1840's, when there were already a fairy large number of other RR companies operating. The "PRR" here might be for something else.  Posted Friday, April 27, 2012 by RJMc

 Q2319 Train Order Signal Question  I’m in the process of restoring an old train order signal for a client. My question is, what type of lantern/lamp would be used with this type of signal? The signal came with red and green lenses, and was probably post mounted or was mounted to a station. Thanks,   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, April 3, 2012 by JF   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. See prior Q 1471 for the last time we discussed this particular item. Maybe someone has learned something new since then.  Posted Wednesday, April 4, 2012 by RJMc

A. A few thoughts; Though round “wire nails” were introduced in the early 1900s, square nails were still produces into the “teens” and stores of them were squirreled away by many users. I knew of a General Store in Texas that still had boxes of them in the lean-to in the early 1970s; I still have a few of those! A keg of nails would last some users a day and some could have lingered around unused for decades. The fact that it is made suing square nails doesn’t offer any sort of reliable date to the item. It’s possible that a homemade item like that could have been a product of the Depression. --- The way the item is oriented in the photo, it is upright and the back is angled towards us. The box is the frame of the signal and not the moveable blade. The angle irons would have attached most likely to the fascia of the building roof to give the wooden lens goggles room to protrude behind the frame, under the roof line. The slit positioned along the upper edge of the red peaked wooden box would have held the blade. In use the red and white box with the lens openings (goggles) would be rotated about 90° clockwise away from us. The blade would stick out on the other side of the box, not the side facing us in the picture. It looks like those lens openings are about 45° of rotation apart from each other. This would likely have been a Flag Stop Signal or a Train Order Signal at a station. If those lens opening are 6-3/4” there is probably enough room to set a standard Order Board Lamp in between them to light that thing. ..how it would have been mounted is anybody’s guess. As informal as that signal is, they could have used a standard hand lantern to light it too. It’s one of those “Who Knows” items that helps make this hobby fun. -- Clearly that’s lead paint on there, so proceed accordingly! -- ....Red Beard Posted Wednesday, April 4, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. ...and, as all of you know, my current bent is to leave items like this one -*as you find them*- and do as little "restoration" as possible. The paint on that is in amazingly good condition and I urge you to not repaint it. I'd go so far as to find a well weathered, slightly splintered piece of plywood to make a new blade out of and paint it with good oil based paint. -- ....Red Beard Posted Wednesday, April 4, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. I posted some more photos of the signal for viewing. Link 1  Link 2  Posted Friday, April 6, 2012 by JoeF

A. Hi Joe, Thanks for the new photos. the "Link 2" photo blows my idea about being able to put a lamp in there as that red U shaped metal bracket would hit a lamp or lantern as the signal moved. :( Can I get you to rotate that red box so that the white and red holes are sticking out on what I'm calling the back side in my first answer and put that on a link too. What do you think about my suggestion of the semaphore blade fitting into that slot? I'm thinking the red and white lens openings are actually 90° of rotation apart; Yes-No?? ....Red Beard Posted Friday, April 6, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A.  I took some more photos of the signal, and re-attatched the blade. Link here: http://www.renaissancerestorations.com/portfolio/assorted/rrsignal.htm Link 1  Posted Saturday, April 7, 2012 by Joef

A. After looking over all the pix and comments,this signal cetainly didn't attach to the outside wall of the depot or tower as there would be no clearance with the so-called counterthrow of the spectacle holding the lenses.They would hit the wall.A guess would be that maybe it hung under the overhang of the roofline or possibly it was also a lower quadrant signal with red/stop being 90 degrees,blade horizontal and green/clear being 45 degrees downward.If the frame was assumed to be mounted vertical like in the pictures,the blade could never assume a true verticle zero degrees upper quadrant indication.It would hit that crossmember in the middle of the frame. DJB Posted Friday, April 13, 2012 by DJB

A. I was able to determine this was a 'Station Stop signal' used on the New York and New England RRin the 1800's. I've restored the signal to near original condition and have added a link to the signal's restoration page [see link]  Link 1  Posted Monday, November 16, 2015 by Joe

 Q2317 Non-painted Lanterns  An after thought in reference to questions #2315/2316. My lantern has non painted metal and does not appear to have been. Were some/most unpainted and what color was the most used, if painted? Again, thanks for your thoughts.  Posted Tuesday, April 3, 2012 by Bill   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Railroad lamps; Switch Lamps, Marker Lamps, Semaphore Lamps all came painted, usually black. Lanterns, like yours, came unpainted. Lanterns were tinned or galvanized to prevent rusting. Employees, brakemen, switchmen, conductors, clerks, sometimes painted their own lanterns so they could better keep track of them and get it back if it "wandered off". Some Railroad Owned lanterns got a spray of paint to spruce them up once in a while. Many U.P. owned lanterns got a shot of aluminum paint when they started looking grungy. Many of the lanterns that U.P. track gangs carried had been painted Tube style lanterns (barn lanterns) sold to the public were usually painted, often red, railroad lanterns though were bare metal. ...Red Beard Posted Thursday, April 5, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. Yes, most were unpainted, but some short globe lanterns were factory painted. Those made by Dressel were frequently painted gray. Later Handlan lanterns were painted aluminum and there was the factory option to have a painted red brim as well. NYC used them with some frequency. Also, the late production Dietz 999's were painted a metallic blue, like their barn lanterns. Posted Friday, April 6, 2012 by JFR

A. Further detail on JFR's comment; see the Link for a Handlan catalog page elsewhere here on the RRiana site, listing "Red painted brim" as on option on hand lanterns. Also I have seen "green paint" as an option for railroad hand lanterns in another old lantern catalog and am still looking for the reference.  Link 1  Posted Friday, April 6, 2012 by RJMc

 Q2316 Burner Question  QUESTION 2315 was not what I intended to ask but still good to know. The real question is: how do I separate the burner itself for repair. 3 pressed dimples hold it together and without the proper tool, there could be (will be) damage to the outside of the burner. The wrong width wick was used and folded over to fit but over time it has decomposed to the point of not being able to move (adjust) the wick. Unable to 'pick' it out. I am stuck.....  Posted Tuesday, April 3, 2012 by Bill   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. If the wick is not soaked in kero residue, I would try using a cigarette lighter or small torch and burn out what you can't pick out. Then soak the burner in penetrating oil to see if that will free up the gear which engages the wick. Many times on eBay there are fonts with burners available without buying the whole lantern, or you can buy a very common lantern like from the New York Central System, New Haven or Reading fairly cheap because there are so many of them around. The NYCS Vesta is sort of a joke amongst collectors because it is so common. I just took apart a W&LE smooth side font and burner produced in Nov. 1928, and a Reading serrated edge font and burner produced in Feb. 1951. The burners are identical and can be switched from one to the other. What you are asking about is removng the cone from the burner, and yeah you would have to gently pry open those three dimples a little bit to do it. One of the burners that I have actually comes apart right there on its own, so maybe I should crimp those dimples down a little by a gentle tap or two with a wide pin punch. I hope this helps you out.  Posted Tuesday, April 3, 2012 by KM

A. I just took another look at your font, and it appears that you have the threaded in type of burner which is rare. I don't see the two u shaped spring clips which hold the burner into the font on most Vestas. Can you unthread the burner from the font? If so I would try and pick out as much wick as you can with a small tipped needle nose plier,a dental pick or a nut pick and burn out the rest. You really do want to protect that burner though because it will be a long time before you see another one. If you just want to burn the lantern buy a junk one with a serrated font, it will fit right into your lantern.  Posted Tuesday, April 3, 2012 by KM

A. Some of the variations of Vestas including the screw-in threaded burner are shown in the Lantern pages in the Library of this site. See Link 1, and go towards the bottom of the page. The first photo which is in the upper left hand corner is of the font and burner from a lantern that I now own which I bought from Jack Wahl. See Link 2 for that photo. The last patent date on that lantern is Dec.13,1910, and it was produced before Dietz stamped production dates. The lantern does not ahave a railroad name on it. Does your lantern have a railroad name on it and what is the last patent date?  Link 1  Link 2  Posted Tuesday, April 3, 2012 by KM

A. KM was able to separate the burner. as suggested, took a torch to it then picked out the wick. great help and not sure i would have though of it. watch for my pictures in a few days. Bill Posted Wednesday, April 4, 2012 by Bill

A. Here are some pics. Also...torched out the nasty wick and then dental picks. on the bottom where the glass sits, was it some kind of rubber? hard, broken and what is left, useless. again, thanks for all your helpful comments. BTW, small c-clamp squeezed the dimples on burner. Link 1  Posted Saturday, April 7, 2012 by Bill

 Q2315 Burner Advice  I have not determined just how to separate the burner [from the font] to repair it although I can see what is needed to accomplish it but not willing at this moment on damaging it. Advice, if you please. Thank you.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Saturday, March 31, 2012 by Bill   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. You have a smooth side Vesta font and burner and that means that it is an older one. The serrated edge fonts are younger, from around 1940 or later. The burner should just twist about 90 degrees and then pull out of the font. Some of the burners that were in smooth side fonts were just threaded in though and they are rare. See Q1835 in the Archives for an explanation. Also see Q 1746, 1473, 740 and 616 for more information on Vesta lanterns.  Posted Saturday, March 31, 2012 by KM

A. thank u 4 your answer. however, i asked the wrong question but re-submittes. Posted Tuesday, April 3, 2012 by Bill

 Q2314 WF Co Globe  I was wondering if you could help me find any answers to my lantern globe ? It's a tall R.R. globe Clear heavy glass and embossed 'W.F.Co'. It is out of a T.R.R.A. of St Louis Handlan-Buck Lantern. Thanks for any help   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Saturday, March 31, 2012 by DK   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. WF stands for Wells Fargo - A very hard globe to find Posted Saturday, March 31, 2012 by BK

A. oh yeah thanks for your answer I was leaning towards the wells fargo idea,any hint of value?? Posted Saturday, March 31, 2012 by Dave

A. SORRY = SEE POSTED POLICY ABOVE,RE: PULEEZE! No questions about what something is worth  Posted Saturday, March 31, 2012 by BK

A. well yeah i lookin for a hint lol... thats ok Ill let the bidder decide cause this is going to end up at auction like the rest of these i got handed down Posted Saturday, March 31, 2012 by Dave

A. This globe is definitely from the Wiggins Ferry Co of St Louis. They not only had ferry boats for people and animals, but also had transfer boats to take trains across the river as well. The fact that it is in a TRRA of St L lantern frame only adds to its identification. All globes from Wells Fargo would be marked W F & CO, or W F & Co EX Posted Saturday, March 31, 2012 by DA

A. yes I believe you are right I found one on ebay with a W.F.Co. frame too.would you happen to have any idea of age it looks like Trra took wiggins in 1902 but i dont think its that old and why would a ferrry need a brakemans lantern?I have no knowledge of RR stuff. thanks for any help Dave Posted Saturday, March 31, 2012 by Dave

A. They were a lot more than just a ferry service. Due to the fact that they handled trains, they would have needed brakemen, switchmen, etc who would have to pass signals just like any RR employee. Also the globe could be a lot older than the lantern frame itself............ Posted Sunday, April 1, 2012 by DA

A. Wiggins Ferry Company was in operation by TRRA until 1930. They owned the Eads Bridge which is named after James Eads who designed it. Eads also was a river boat designer and builder known for his work on ironclad boats for the Civil War. See Link 1 wich is from Roundhouse Acres for a photo of a tall globe lantern from Wiggins Ferry that was made by Handlan Buck Manufacturing Company. See Link 2 for some history of Wiggins Ferry. In 1989 TRRA traded the Eads bridge for the Merchants Bridge which was owned by Saint Loius. The Eads brdge had clearance issues and Saint Louis wanted it for a light rail line. The Merchant Bridge was high enough for tall freight cars.  Link 1  Link 2  Posted Sunday, April 1, 2012 by KM

A. ok thanks you very much for all your help fella's  Posted Monday, April 2, 2012 by Dave

A. Here is a link to "John Speller's Web Pages" which has some history of the Eads Bridge. Link 1  Posted Thursday, January 10, 2013 by KM

 Q2312 Tender Lamp  Greetings, I recently acquired an Adlake automatic tender marker lamp body in pretty good shape, but it has virtually none of the original internal mechanism (I think it was probably converted to a semaphore lamp). I was hoping that a kind soul(s) on this list might take the time to photograph the interior of one and send them to me, or even possibly provide a diagram/plans for same. I checked with Adlake, and they do not have the plans in their archives. Any help would be most appreciated. You may email me directly at jamespnelsonpc@yahoo.com. Thank you.  [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, March 28, 2012 by JN   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Contact Jeff Polston at his home page. http://www.jeffpolston.com/ ...and look around at his site while you're at it. He has some good stuff on there. -- ...Red Beard Posted Wednesday, March 28, 2012 by Red Beard the Railroad Raider

A. Thank you, Red. No luck there, however. Jeff doesn't have one either. He did have a few photos of a mechanism from a similar lamp, but not an Adlake. So the quest continues.  Posted Saturday, April 7, 2012 by JN

 Q2306 Lamp/Lantern ID?  I was wondering if anyone had any idea what this may be. It looks like it might be a train order or crossing lamp, but I can't find any references to it. Thoughts?   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, March 14, 2012 by JM   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Hello JM, my opinion is that it is a tail lamp for one of Borden's horse drawn milk wagons.They were still in use during WW2 in the New York area. Posted Saturday, March 17, 2012 by Mike Dolan

 Q2305 Morse Lamp  I have an extensive collection morse keys and related telegraph objects. Recently I purchased an unknown morse code signalling lamp, height 28 cm. The lamp has a two part sliding shutter to transmit messages by light flashes of varying duration, according to the well known morse code. The spring plugger for operation is situated above the grip. On the back is a morse code display behind a glass plate, illuminated by the light within the lamp. The frame around this display unfortunately is missing and I got the lamp with only a small part of the code-glass. Corresponding this I made a copy. The lamp has an acetylene burner and needs, as you can see, a separate gas container. My lamp is not a railroad lamp but perhaps you know more about code signalling lamps with an acetylene burner like this and/or can you tell me the (probable) origin of this lamp? There is no sign at all. Any information will be very much appreciated Many thanks in advance for your reply.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, March 14, 2012 by AK   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Is this the same lamp that is in Q5930 or Q5936 at The Lampguild Q&A?  Posted Friday, March 16, 2012 by KM

A. Yes, it's nr.5930. Lamp nr. 5936 is another morsecode signallamp in my collection.  Posted Saturday, March 17, 2012 by Anton

 Q2299 Lamp ID Needed  Can anyone identify the lamp in the attached photo? It is kerosene, and marked NYCS in the bottom section. I'm holding it by what appears to be part of its hanger.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, March 11, 2012 by RB   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. This is a candle lantern from an RPO (postal) car.there were at least 3 different makers. While patened 1907 the federal gov't. required them for emergency lighting in the RPO cars up until the mid 1970's.NYC was one of the few RR's to mark them. They are pretty common. Posted Sunday, March 11, 2012 by BK

A. Also see Q1315, 413, 409, and Q16 in the Archives. The wall bracket that you need is still available from W.T. Kirkman Company at www.lanternnet.com. The New York Central painted these that light gray green color, I have four that have the same paint. This item is solid brass, not plated, and when they are stripped and polished they look quite nice. You may be able to find a plumbers candle at a hardware store that will fit into it. Be careful when handling the chimney, they are hard to replace and can be worth more than the lamp itself. The USPS did not want kerosene otr any other liquid fuel around the mail so they required that all RPO's carry about a dozen of these in a cabinet. There were mounting brackets on the walls all around the cars. When the electric lights failed due to bad main batteries or a generator malfunction, the mail clerks would pull theses out and try to sort mail by candlelight. The always forward thinking, ahead of their time, USPS did not provide battery operated flashlights or emergency backup lighting and required these right up to the end of RPO service.  Posted Sunday, March 11, 2012 by KM

A.  Patent number 865950 for these was issued to Frank Schuetz on 9/10/1907 and assigned to Adams and Westlake. The patent drawins show the older version which had an umbrella type shield above the chi,ney and the older style wall bracket which had the shoe and foot arangement reversed between thewall bracket and the lamp. On the old style the foot is on the wall bracket and the shoe is on the lamp. On newer lamps that is reversed. The link is for patent number 865950. Link 1  Posted Sunday, March 11, 2012 by KM

A. Hello RB,the Lamp Guild under archive #5616 by Ottavio addresses the type of candle used in these lamps.The Post Office required Stearine candles,this type of candle does not drip or smoke. The Cathedral candle co. sells these in boxes of 6, 1-1/4" by 17 ". Cut to length they burn well. The cost however would be better shared by a group. Posted Tuesday, March 13, 2012 by Mike Dolan

A.  Also see Q2877.  Posted Wednesday, January 14, 2015 by KM

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