Question & Answer Board

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 81st.

Q3878 Handlan Lantern? I acquired this after retiring from 30 years (with 5 railroads) in the industry. Your website has been helpful to the extent that I am fairly certain this is a Hanlan except that the padded handle isn’t present on what you have pictured. The lantern is unbranded and the shape is correct. It is serviceable; 3 lanterns and one of my MKT dispatcher’s train sheets are the only artifacts in my possession. Positive identification is all that I am seeking, my compliments for your most informative site. [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, October 12, 2021 by DR Post a Reply Email a reply

A. Judging off the one photo, this appears to be the Handlan model 177 with the stiff bail, rubber grip , produced in the WW1 era. Posted Thursday, October 14, 2021 by h v coll

Q3876 Rare RR Co and Globe Mfr. Markings? I have been searching for a list of rare railroad company names and markings/logos that would be found on lanterns. I have also been looking for a list of globe manufacturers and the markings that were used. (I remember seeing a list with the markings many years ago but I am unable to locate them...maybe 8-10 different companies). Any help is appreciated. Thanks. Posted Sunday, October 3, 2021 by DM Post a Reply Email a reply

A. The KL&L material has been republished with permission and updated on this website. Also new pages of marking have been added for models not covered in the original KL&L surveys. Link 1 Posted Sunday, October 17, 2021 by Web Editor

A. I am not sure if it will give you everything you are looking for but Key Lock & Lantern publishes a list of railroads and the globe markings that have been documented. See Link 1. There is some good globe manufacturing information in the back of Barrett and Gross' book "Illustrated Encyclopedia of Railroad Lighting Vol. 1, The Railroad Lantern" - but I don't recall seeing any list of what railroads these companies made globes for. Link 1 Posted Sunday, October 17, 2021 by JS

Q3873 Fount and Burner Questions Here is a picture of 2 founts with burners. I call the one on the left a burner with a dial and on the right, a burner with a bent wire handle. I have noticed that every RELIABLE lantern I have ever seen in person has the dial but the pictures on this website, show the bent wire. There are 2 types of burner and fount combinations that I am aware of: threaded and twist on. I see DIAL burners with threaded bottoms and twist on bottoms. I also see founts with and without writing. I am not finding any significant information on line. QUESTIONS: Based on the information I have: 1) What is the correct name of the bent wire handle? 2) When was the transition from dial to bent wire? During the RELIABLE time frame….. 1912 TO 1925 ish? 3) When did DIAL burners transition from threaded bottoms to twist on bottoms? 4) Did bent wire burners ever come with a threaded bottom? 5) When did founts start to have writing? Thank you. [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, September 27, 2021 by DM Post a Reply Email a reply

Q3872 Short Globe Glass w/ Uneven Surface Questions I have 2 CNX globes that have an uneven outer surface. I can feel the unevenness. It is somewhat slight, but I can feel it and I can see it. Looking through the globes, the image is distorted. In the picture I was not able to capture the surface, but the reflections look somewhat distorted. Was this type of surface an error? Was it made during a certain time frame? Was this intentional? Mine are the only 2 examples I have ever seen. I am not finding any information on line. Thanks [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, September 27, 2021 by DM Post a Reply Email a reply

Q3869 Deitz Tall Glass #39 Lantern Info? I have this lantern in a nickel finish over brass. I am trying to find information on the specifics of this one. I have found similar ones but not this exact one. The handle is attached to the side of the dome, it has 2 angled rows of holes above the bell and it says RE DIETZ COMPANY NEW YORK USA 39 underneath. No other markings found. I am looking for years of manufacturer and any other information. Thanks [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, September 16, 2021 by DM Post a Reply Email a reply

A. Being as it is nickle finish and from what I can see it appears to have a conductors bail (handle] to fit over his arm while working tickets. Believe it to be a conductor's lantern. Posted Saturday, September 18, 2021 by DC

A. DC: Thank you for the info. Taking that and looking around I agree it is a conductor's lantern. I still haven't found this exact one but I will keep looking. Thanks Posted Monday, September 20, 2021 by DM

Q3868 Age of Lamp? I have acquired my dad's old RR lamp that he received from his sister in Michigan. I am wanting to know how old the lantern is? Thank you so much!!! [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, September 16, 2021 by DJH Post a Reply Email a reply

A. These types of lamps were often made basically unchanged over many years, so it is impossible to date them. The Adlake square type top like yours was made starting after 1913. Previously Adlake lamps had a round top. Posted Friday, September 24, 2021 by JEM

Q3864 Inspector Lantern Marking Can you tell me which railroad this is? Pennsylvania? The 'MO St.' Is throwing me off. Thanks [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, August 19, 2021 by ME Post a Reply Email a reply

A. It looks like CMStP to me, not OMStP. Is the "O" really a "C" (it's hard to tell in the picture)? Given the space available and the letter size, I wonder if this mark is for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St Paul RR, with the & left out. See Link 1 for a history. The CM&StP apparently existed between 1874 and 1928. Link 1 Posted Thursday, August 19, 2021 by JMS

Q3863 Railroad Chimney? I don't know if this is a railroad piece or not. Hoping for expertise from this group. Obviously because of the size I don't think this glass chimney is for home use. It is 14 in. high and has a 5 1/2 in. diameter base. (Both top and bottom are ground.) I'd think it must be for commercial or industrial use. Might it have be used in the headlamp of an engine? I've included two photos. The second, just to give a sense of size, shows a full size bottle of wine sitting inside the chimney. [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, August 17, 2021 by DB Post a Reply Email a reply

A. I think you are correct about industrial/commercial use, rather than railrod. IMHO it almost certainly is not from a railroad engine, if only because it should be clear glass; I am not sure if this type of globe was even used as a headlight, in the first place. Someone more knowledgeable please ? Posted Wednesday, August 18, 2021 by JMS

A. Among the largest kerosene lamps commonly used on RR's were 'platform lamps' which were over two feet tall. The same type of lamp was widely used as a street lamp and for other area lighting. See prior Q's 3680 and the answer to Q 2676 for discussion and good pix of this type of lamp in use. Note that there is an internal glass chimney inside the very large outside globe; your chimney might work for that internal chimney in that kind of lamp. Posted Wednesday, August 18, 2021 by RJMc

A. Note the size of the upper portion of the lamps in the related question numbers to the latest photo. This size would not fit into any station lamp or headlight that I have seen. Posted Friday, August 20, 2021 by h v coll

Q3861 B&O Car #98 Lantern I've been handed down this lantern from my great grandfather who was an executive at B&O and traveled around in Pullman business car #98 that is currently at the Chattanooga railroad museum with a different color and name. I was hoping to get some sort of documentation on the lantern or compare to old pictures inside #98 to help prove our family theory that it did indeed come from #98. I reached out to Chattanooga railroad museum but they didn’t have much info about the car under the B&O umbrella. Any help or input would be greatly appreciated. Also I believe the current state of the lantern is kind of misconfigured so I want to also restore it to the original state if possible. Thanks in advance for any help. [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Saturday, August 14, 2021 by Phil Post a Reply Email a reply

A. What a lovely piece! and best of luck to you. Regardless of whether you can find out more, this lamp is a wonderful family heirloom. Indeed, this is a "lamp," not a "lantern." Lanterns were/are portable, designed to be carried around. A "lamp" is meant to stay in place, whether mounted permanently on a wall or ceiling, or made to be carried to a spot where it's put down and left. Here are a couple of resources that may be helpful: Link 1 is to the B&O Historical Society; Link 2 is to a Pullman historical society site - I would try the phone number shown at top right. They apparently have a great variety of information. Link 1 Link 2 Posted Tuesday, August 17, 2021 by JMS

Q3860 Help Identifying Light? I was wondering if anyone could help identify the purpose and origin of this unusual light? I was told it was a railroad item, and would appreciate any information you can provide. Thank you! [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, August 11, 2021 by JW Post a Reply Email a reply

A. See prior Q 3759. We didn't ever figure out what that one was, either, but it looks almost exactly like yours, although the reflector on yours is much better silvered, making it more appropriate to reflect light rather than heat. And I now suspect the hole thru the reflector is for aiming the light, leading me to now suspect a theater spotlight application. But the seeming lack of provision for a chimney is still puzzling. Posted Thursday, August 12, 2021 by RJMc

A. Thank you for the link to the previous question. It appears I have only added to the mystery with the silvered reflector! Any further idea would be much appreciated. Posted Thursday, August 12, 2021 by JW

A. Could this be a part of the old interior access caboose markers ? Posted Thursday, August 12, 2021 by h v coll

A. Does your unit have the holes/passages up thru the bottom of the tank? And a size reference would help. I am assuming this is fairly large (maybe over a foot to 18" tall) and the large double wicks would burn a lot of kerosene and produce relatively a lot of light and heat. The inside-access cupola-side caboose marker lamps I have seen are usually smaller and single-wick, looking more like traditional kerosene hand lamps, and with no reflectors. Another possibility where a focussed beam is desired would be a lighthouse light source. Posted Thursday, August 12, 2021 by RJMc

A. Yes, there are three openings in the bottom of the tank, two round ones and one rectangular one. I will try to post a picture of the bottom. Total height of this lamp is just 6-1/2" tall. Posted Friday, August 13, 2021 by JW

A. Here's a picture of the bottom. Link 1 Posted Friday, August 13, 2021 by JW

A. The "WWII Ship Navigation Light" (See link 1) with burner shown outside of the lamp is the closest I have seen to your item, and very suggestive of a similar application for yours, as well. Link 1 Posted Saturday, August 14, 2021 by RJMc

A. And now the real answer: its the burner as used as a masthead light on ocean-going British ships in World War II, manufactured by Birmingham (England) Engineering Co. See the Link for full description of the lamp and burner, with several pix including the burner installed in the copper lamp. Link 1 Posted Saturday, August 14, 2021 by RJMc

A. According to the Link, the colors, functions, and performance requirements for various ship navigation lights were internationally standardized as early as 1889, and various nations including the US and Britain had standardizing agreements well before that. So it is quite likely that masthead burner arrangements similar to those we see here got manufactured almost world-wide, in order to meet the performance standards on visibility. There is an outside chance that such lights may have railroad heritage, in cases such as the Canadian Pacific ferries, various car float operations, and the various railroad harbor tug boat operations. But the high likelihood is that the units we are seeing are not of railroad-related origin. Link 1 Posted Sunday, August 15, 2021 by RJMc

A. Thank you all for the insight! Great forum of knowledge here. As an aside, the collection I got this from was a railroad collector who happed to have a lot of Canadian Pacific stuff. Maybe coincidence, maybe more yet to the story. Thanks again! Posted Monday, August 16, 2021 by JW

Q3857 Loco Headlight? A small town museum was selling out. I bought this item which looks like a cast iron headlight housing. Is there a chance this could be from a steam locomotive? Marked on the front RSI-L2001 and on the back RSI-L103. Thanks. [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, July 21, 2021 by LB Post a Reply Email a reply

A. I suspect this is the lamp housing for an early model highway grade crossing flasher. Posted Wednesday, July 21, 2021 by RJMc

A. The link below is to a news story about a grade crossing accident in Arkansas. The lamp housing on the back of the flasher facing away from the camera looks very much like your lamp housing. The reason I suspect yours is a much older one is modern flasher housings have small side lenses to confirm to the train that the lights are flashing; plus over time the housings and lenses have grown much larger and the lamps much brighter. Link 1 Posted Thursday, July 22, 2021 by RJMc

Q3855 Lamp Use? My antique collecting mother passed away four years ago. She left a barn full of interesting items, but unfortunately the information about the items went with her. I am enamored with this Handlan, St Louis, Railroad Switch Stand Lamp. I teach history and would like to properly explain this lamp / lantern to students. Can you tell me how railroad personnel used it? [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Saturday, July 17, 2021 by DC Post a Reply Email a reply

A. Enter "switch lamp" (no quotes) in the word or phrase search box to see many Q's and A's about these lamps. If there is any problem with the search, start with Q 3837 and that answer will route you to much more info and pix of lamps as they were in service. These lamps were very standardized across RR's and mfrs. so if you chose, it would be possible to restore this one without too much difficulty -- they were VERY robust pieces of equipment and parts are commonly available. I see what appears to be a tag on the door beneath the lens opening: check that for RR Co. initials; that is often where and how these lamps were marked to show the co. ownership. Also check up inside the hollow mounting base casting -- RR ID letters were sometimes cast into the base during mfr. Having the RR ID and any other info about the source of the lamp can add considerable sentimental value. Link 1 Posted Sunday, July 18, 2021 by RJMc

A. This lamp would have been placed on a post at a switch or on a derail device etc with different colored lenses indicating whether the switch was open or closed or, if the derail device was on the track siding. A fuel pot inside with kerosene as the fuel would provide the light. Very common on all railroads as a standard piece of lighting equipment for the time Posted Sunday, July 25, 2021 by TE

Q3850 Dayton Caboose Lamp Info? I may have posted this before, but my interest was piqued rewatching 'Union Pacific'last night. In the 'mail car' that was on the train were several wall mount caboose lamps that are quite similar to one I have. This was acquired by my late father, who was a Santa Fe engineer from 1941 to 1974. I'm not sure where, when, or how he acquired it but it was sometime in the early fifties. If he told me anything about it I have forgotten it by now, and he isn't around to ask about it. I have been in contact with Dayton Manufacturing about this but they have no records on it. Dayton is still in the business of manufacturing railroad-related metal products, but not of this nature. Any information would be appreciated. [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, May 2, 2021 by Paul B Post a Reply Email a reply

A. I would imagine these lamps and other models may appear in one of the Dayton catalogs. Of course it's incredibly difficult to find these old catalogs! but that is what I would look for. Without actual RR markings, your best course is to affix a label with its provenance, that your father, the AT&SF engineer, acquired it. LIKELY he got it from the railroad, but Dayton must have sold to all comers; a catalog might say specifically that this particular model was made for railroad use (or not). Best wishes; this is a beauty! Posted Thursday, May 6, 2021 by JMS

A. From the Dayton Car Trimmings catalog # 200 , dated 7/1/16 it would appear to be their # 58 or 59 lamp. The burner has been changed for a newer model , and it is missing the chimney holder , and the smoke deflector. This lamp is similar to one sold under the Adams & Westlake brand. Posted Saturday, May 8, 2021 by h v coll

Q3847 Triangle Switch Light? What can you tell me about this item? The three different colored glass panels are about 9 by 13. Overall it's about 22 in. tall. It looks weatherproof if it was in the rain but it is not that durable for the wind. Thinking it is railroad but maybe you can help? Thank you. [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, April 13, 2021 by DA Post a Reply Email a reply

A. This is probably a darkroom 'safe light.' Look closely to see if there was a way (some kind of shutters) to cover the glass panels so that only one, or none, would be exposed. The glass plates and early B&W films and printing papers were not sensitive in the red, and some may not have been sensitive to blue, so the photographer had the luxury of actually having some light in the darkroom to work by. Put 'darkroom' in the search by word or phrase box to see several prior Q's about very similar lamps. Q 1027 has a lamp very similar to yours. Note the light-duty flat tab feet for fastening the lamp down to a countertop. That suggests use in some kind of production arrangement where the selected color did not need to change, unlike some of the more portable darkroom lights. Posted Tuesday, April 13, 2021 by RJMc

Q3843 Engine Class Lamp ID? I'm trying to determine the maker of this lamp. It has the smaller 4 inch lens. I put the red lens in it. I'm sure it was clear lens that was missing. It's marked P&R RR. The burner and globe were in it when it was found. The globe is heavy just like in RR Lanterns, and the burner screws in. It looks very close to an Underhill Osborne lamp, but I can't seem to figure it out. [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, March 22, 2021 by RW Post a Reply Email a reply

Q3841 Unusual Class Lamp On the internet I recently came across an image of a very rare classification lamp and am curious to find out more information. There seems to be only one unusual lens, facing out to the side. Who was the manufacturer? Did it display more than one aspect? If so, how? The bracket looks like a marker lamp bracket, made to be able to rotate the lamp to be able to display different aspects, as opposed to a class lamp which is attached to the loco in a fixed position. This image is from the flickr page of the Center for Railroad Photography and Art, the J. Parker Lamb Group Five album, Mississippian Railway locomotive 76 photographed in 1955 [See link]. Posted Wednesday, March 3, 2021 by Joe Link 1 Post a Reply Email a reply

A. Hmmm. Enlarged it and looks like lens is on both sides of lamp on left. Lamp on right seem to have them facing forward and backward. (Kind of a slotted fresnel-with-ruffles) She was a Frisco hand-me-down...wonder if the answer lies there in her origins or that lone industry (mill?) she served. Posted Wednesday, March 3, 2021 by ShastaRoute

A. The Link is to an Adlake 1907 catalog pg. in the archives here on the RRiana site. See the No. 91 Classification Lamp illustration which shows "Cloud Lenses." I can't tell whether they were Fresnel at that time, but later they were. The Frisco and the D&RG(W) used the ones with Fresnel lenses. The second link is to a RR Pictures Archive photo of DRGW 2-8-0 # 1034 with a fairly clear view of the Fresnel-type class lights mounted. There are many other pix at that same site. A pic of a Frisco steam loco in service, with the same kind of class light, is at: http://rrpicturearchives.net/locoPicture.aspx?id=94393. I suspect the concept was to get a wider angle of view than the usual circular lenses would provide. Link 1 Link 2 Posted Thursday, March 4, 2021 by RJMc

A. Link 1 below is to a web post about restoring a set of "Handlan Radial Class Lamps" and using them on the ex-D&RG narrow gage steam locos. It has good closeup pix of the lamps. The Kirkman lamp site even sells replacement lenses for these. Link 2 is to a site where someone has modelled the later electrified version of these using 3D printing, apparently for O scale, but with good pix of their models. Many marine warning lamps also used the Fresnel style lenses for wide angle viewing. Link 1 Link 2 Posted Friday, March 5, 2021 by trnbob

A. Prior Q's 3572 amd 1177 here on the Q&A Board also discuss these in more detail. Use the 'Search By Wuestion No." box. The term "Handlan Radius Lens" is also used for these. Posted Friday, March 5, 2021 by RJMc

A. The Link below is to another good web post about acquiring and using this type of class lamp on the ex-D&RG narrow gage steam locos and lists other RR's that used them, such as L&N. And the various discussions make clear that the original lamps were switchable between green and white indications. But as RR's got away from timetable and train order operations, that feature often got disabled as mechanisms or lenses failed in service and it became extremely unusual to run sections of scheduled trains which would need the green lights. That trend affected all kinds of classification lights. Link 1 Posted Friday, March 5, 2021 by RJMc

Q3840 White Cone Lens in Lamp Can anyone explain why there is a white cone lens in this lamp? Thank you! [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, February 28, 2021 by Tom Post a Reply Email a reply

A. It is often hard to tell in pictures whether the lenses are blue or green. When illuminated, does the lens in the pic show up as blue, or green? Blue lenses were used for worker protection and many other special functions other than switch lights, so often the lamps didn't require lenses on all four sides and your white cone might just be a filler, or provide an auxiliary indication that the lamp was lit to confirm that a person behind the lamp was protected by the blue light. If the lamp rotated, the white could also provide an indication to someone running an engine in shop tracks, such as a hostler, that the protection was NOT in effect, so they knew they could enter the track. Posted Tuesday, March 2, 2021 by trnbob

A. Tom, This lamp is a caboose marker from the Northern Pacific Railroad. From the factory it would come with red and green lenses. It appears at some point the red lens was broken and for reasons unknown the owner of the lamp replaced it with the coned lens. Possibly he didn't have a red lens. If the lamp were mine I'd purchase a red lens to restore the lamp to original as delivered condition. They are available on eBay quite regularly in many sizes and styles and colors. Just measure the diameter and be sure you get an internal ribbed lens to match the green one pictured. Hope this helps. Posted Monday, March 8, 2021 by Jim

Q3838 Dietz Lantern Paint Hello! I have several Dietz lanterns and I cannot find paint that matches the original paint. Any ideas if or where you can get the same colors? Any information would be appreciated! Thank you, Posted Monday, February 15, 2021 by Carl Post a Reply Email a reply

A. Without knowing what lantern model(s) you have -- are they in fact Railroad lanterns? Dietz made for all customers! See Link 1 for a list of models and note most were NOT made for railroads! It's my information that the "original" finish when railroad lanterns left the factory usually was no paint at all - bare metal. Subsequent owners often painted them, and old paint can look "original" but it almost always is not. Paint matching is difficult at best and nearly impossible at worst, especially since it usually is a different shade after it dries than it was when it was wet. We are extremely lucky to have a paint manufacturer in our area that will mix custom colors, but requires a minimum purchase of one gallon. Kinda hard to take the $$ price when all we needed was about 4 ounces, but the result was well worth it!! Link 1 Posted Tuesday, February 16, 2021 by JMS

Q3837 Lantern What do I have? Can anyone tell me? Thank you. [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Friday, February 12, 2021 by Mark Post a Reply Email a reply

A. The most common use for these was as a railroad 'switch lamp' or 'switch light' which rotated to indicate the position of a track switch, to inform oncoming trains of how things were routed. The Link is to the Railroad Lamps page in the reference section here on the RRiana site to see a lot more description and discussion. You can also enter 'switch lamp' in the word or phrase search box to see many Q&A's about these. Link 1 Posted Saturday, February 13, 2021 by RJMc

A. Question #3610 left side of photo should show a switch lamp next to a locomotive that has moved into a secondary track (probably a siding to allow for passing on the mainline). This would be one use. Posted Friday, February 26, 2021 by ShastaRoute

Q3836 Fake or Real? Had this more less drop in my lap, unsure if it is real or fake. Trying to determine what it is and if it is worth looking for the burner? I can’t find anything like online which makes me wonder about the authenticity. Any info would help. [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Friday, February 12, 2021 by Caleb Post a Reply Email a reply

A. Well....it's real other than the base looks like it's missing a mounting post or bracket attachment. Is the underside solid or, does it look like a mounting bracket was attached at one time? Posted Friday, February 12, 2021 by TE

A. Lamps such as yours were widely used on various RR's. The most likely use was as a switch lamp, although the same housings were also used with a different mounting bracket for marker lights. The first Link is to the 'Railroad Lamps' page in the reference section here on the RRians site. The second row of photos shows lamps very similar to yours but made by Armspear. The various lamp designs were heavily standardized as required by the RR's. Lamps of a given design were made and licensed by different mfr's at different times, and the mfr'ing co's merged back and forth, so it is not unusual that you may find identical lamps from different mfr's. The second Link -- also to the Archives here on this site, is to an Adlake catalog from 1940 showing their model 1112 Seitch Light, which looks very much like yours. The wide colored 'day targets' shown around each lens in some of the pix were optional; each RR decided whether or not to use them and the practices varied widely even along each RR. Link 1 Link 2 Posted Saturday, February 13, 2021 by RJMc

A. The bottom is solid with a small hole dead center. So looks like missing the base. My other question is the patient dates on the top. The only comparison I have is below [link1]. It has the Great Britain Dec 16 date as well as the Aug 13 1907 date. The one I have has neither. Were there models made with different patient dates in them, or were mine removed? The base also has one groove not two as indicated in the manual? Link 1 Posted Tuesday, February 16, 2021 by Caleb

A. Some of my lamps have the Great Britain patent date(s) so apparently they were covering their bases for overseas sales. Don't know if that materialized or not but I don't think there's anything unusual about it. Posted Friday, February 19, 2021 by TE

Q3835 F.S.O. Meaning What does 'F.S.O.' stand for on a Corning switch or signal lens? Posted Sunday, February 7, 2021 by Gerald Post a Reply Email a reply

A. According to the 'Signal Lenses' appendix in David Dreimiller's book 'Signal Lights', on the typical Corning lenses for switch lights and markers the diameter of 5 3/8 inches will be designated with a "D." and the 3 1/2 inch focal length will be designated with "F"ocal length measured by the same technique as a used to measure a "S"tandard "O"ptical lens (F.S.O.). Dreimiller implies that other lens manufacturers probably marked theirs differently. As a side note, the '1935' in lens markings is NOT the year of manufacture, it is the year that the specification was adopted. So lenses made decades later are still marked with the '1935' to be mis-interpreted time and again by resellers. Posted Friday, February 12, 2021 by RJMc

A. Thank you. Gerald Posted Saturday, February 13, 2021 by GN

Q3834 Lens ID? What is this lens from? ID help please. Blue but different texture. I do not think this lens started out on this metal plate and pole... but I don't know really. I got it from the estate of an old man who lived right next to a railroad, and he collected railroad stuff. I thought it was from a Railroad lamp, but the texture is different than any I've seen or can find online. The lens is about 5.5 in. across and maybe and inch (or less) in depth. I'd just like to know what it was. It looks good hanging in my shop. Any ideas?? Thanks for your help. [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, February 7, 2021 by Tony Post a Reply Email a reply

A. Look up "Blue Flag" to possibly give you some background. Posted Monday, February 8, 2021 by h v coll

A. The Link is to an Adams and Westlake article in the archives here on the RRiana site about 'Signal Glass'. The article isn't dated but it looks like maybe 1950's. It identifies (and pictures) the center of your item as a 'Corning Doublet Reflector Lens' which was a forerunner of today's retroreflective materials. As mentioned above, the whole item looks to be a blue flag assembly with the center lens returning a bright blue indication from the beam of any approaching headlight to warn against moving the equipment. Yhe hook arrangment was to hang the item on a locomotive cab window or a handgrab while workmen performed maintenance or servicing. The Link is an excellent reference about the various lenses used on RR's but unfortunately does NOT answer Q 3835 above: still looking into that. Link 1 Posted Monday, February 8, 2021 by RJMc

A. Dreimiller's book Signal Lights says Corning introduced this type of retroreflector lens in 1933. It uses a sandwich made up of a central silvered reflector surface between the two outer layers with the pebbled surface. The multiple reflections inside the sandwich cause a light beam to be returned back toward its source, rather than reflected off at some different angle or dissipated. These days the same effect is accomplished by tiny particles embedded in materials such as signs and fabrics so that no thick package is required. Posted Saturday, February 13, 2021 by RJMc

Q3833 Armspear 1925 Short Globe I'd like to pose two question in regards to an 'Armspear 1925' short globe RR lantern. It appears as a 'newer' model possibly made by Adlake. There is only one band of holes on the vent lid. The cage is round wire and has a weighted base, top center reads B&O RR ARMSPEAR M'F'G CO. NEW YORK '1925' There is a drain hole in the bottom of the font container! When did Adlake stop making Armspear short globe lanterns? Was this lantern I described made after 1965 or earlier? Thanks in advance to all of the knowledgeable people on the website for helping us railfans learn more about our RR memorabilia. Posted Monday, February 1, 2021 by Vin R Post a Reply Email a reply

A. Photos ? Posted Thursday, February 4, 2021 by JMS

A. Here are some photos.. Link 1 Posted Sunday, February 7, 2021 by Vin R

Q3829 Keystone Casey Fuel Pot Burner How do you add fuel to a Keystone Casey fuel pot burner? Posted Tuesday, January 5, 2021 by Norman Post a Reply Email a reply

A. See prior Q 1593 on this exact topic. It is really an excellent question; it is easy to unclip and twist off the entire fount assy (very similar to the Dietz Vesta procedure discussed in a nearby Q) but after that, it is not at all obvious how to separate the burner assy from the tank without destroying it. It ends up unthreading... Posted Wednesday, January 6, 2021 by RJMc

A. The two excellent photos in the Links show two different Casey founts with the burners unscrewed to enable filling the tanks. These are the same pix originally sent in to Q 1593 by W.M., just brought forwared here for convenience. Link 1 Link 2 Posted Thursday, January 7, 2021 by RJMc

Q3828 Lantern Marking Here is an Adlake 250 kero. I don't see a manufacturing date on the bottom. This lantern is clearly marked LVRR on top and has a red globe with LVRR etched on it. Your survey list does not currently show LVRR using this lantern. I am curious about a raised area on the top with the letters JRM stamped on it. Any idea what that means? [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, January 5, 2021 by Eric Post a Reply Email a reply

A. That seems to be a tag stamped with the initials and then soldered onto the lantern after it left the factory. Most likely the initials of the person assigned and/or owning the lantern. Posted Wednesday, January 6, 2021 by RJMc

A. Indeed, this is an authentic Lehigh Valley A&W #250 - if you can get Employee Roster lists, you may be able to find the man who belonged to JRM (RJMc is right on target). Also, why not update the survey list ? Report it to Key Lock & Lantern to update the survey (Link 1 below) They are always looking for genuine documented additions to the lantern list. Use the CONTACT US (Link 2) to get in touch and include your pictures. Legitimate information is always greatly appreciated. BTW this globe is reported in the "3-1/4" Marked Globes" list, so adding the the information to the "Lantern" survey would round out some LV history very nicely. Great find!! Link 1 Link 2 Posted Wednesday, January 6, 2021 by JMS

A. I also note that the workmanship of stamping and placing the tag seems to be excellent and the finish on the lantern does not look like it was used much, if at all, in regular service on the RR. (Have you refinished the lantern?) In modern times in regular use the RR company owned the lanterns so it wasn't appropriate for individuals to mark them. This causes me to suspect that this lantern was set up and given as a special gift to JRM, on retirement or possibly on a service anniversary such as 25 or more years of service, or other special occasion. Such occasions were often covered in employee and/or union magazines, often with photos, and you might get verification there of the actual history of this lantern. Posted Friday, January 8, 2021 by RJMc

Q3826 Dietz Vesta Disassembly I have a deitz vesta lantern which has bee sitting unloved, indoors for many years. I am trying to remove what I will call the bottom cover. I note the two lugs, and the slots indicating that the base turns a bit in order to remove it. I also note that the wick adjuster dial has a slot directly below it, suggesting that it does NOT turn. So these have to be two separate pieces, and the bottom should be easily removed, revealing the lamp wick assembly, which should then just drop out. On mine the bottom will not turn without (trying) to turn the wick dial, so I assume the bottom and the lamp assembly are rusted together.. How is my logic, and do you have any suggestions for separating the two? Right now they are soaking in rust penetrant, but no joy as yet.. Regards and Merry Christmas! Posted Thursday, December 24, 2020 by Mike Post a Reply Email a reply

A. You have it sort of right, but not quite. The ENTIRE tank and burner drop out of the lantern TOGETHER as a single assy. See the Link for an excellent pic of a Vesta replacement oil tank outside of the lantern. NOTE that the burner assy (not installed in the pic) has a slip fit, not threads. It is not only OK, but necessary, that the burner assy turn somewhat compared to the tank while the tank is being removed or replaced into the base of the lantern, so that the wick raiser shaft amd knob drop thru the T slot in the lantern base and out. Note the two lugs, or 'ears', short pins sticking out from the tank sides. Those hold the tank assy in the base of the lantern by a very short 'twist-lock' maneuver. Again a slip fit. BUT check on your lantern just below the wick raiser knob for a horizontal heavy wire spring clip -- about 3 inches long -- with a 'V' bent into the end. That V drops over one of those ears to make sure the burner assy does not turn and is locked into the lantern base. That spring clip must be raised up to let the burner assy. turn to reach the vertical slot that lets it drop out of the lantern base. (I just found that the flat handle of a teaspoon makes an ideal lever to hold that cllp up while turning the tank to release it.) There are a lot of helpful images on the web just by searching on 'Dietz Vesta'. And some final hints: the penetrant is a good start; moderate heat may help you release the rusted parts. An electric heat gun, or even a hair dryer (commonly available very inexpensively at local re-use shops) may help. And a strap wrench, such as used for auto oil filters, may be of use in getting the tank to begin to turn (once the retaining clip is raised.) Link 1 Posted Saturday, December 26, 2020 by RJMc

Q3825 Sconce Could you please tell me what is supposed to be used inside a spring loaded lamp like this? A standard candle? Thank you!!! [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Tuesday, December 22, 2020 by John Post a Reply Email a reply

A. In general, these are called 'Candle Lamps' and use a common plain paraffin candle. See prior Q 3582 for more details and a list of many other prior Q's on these, including where to get parts such as the Pyrex chimneys and mounting brackets. Posted Tuesday, December 22, 2020 by RJMc

A. I have been collecting these RPO candle lamps for about 45 years and I have several that have original new candles in them. I am measuring one of those right now and it is 4&3/4 inches long and 1 & 1/4 inches in diameter. I used to buy the candles from A. J. Root Company in Medina, Ohio but I am not sure if they have them still. Some hardware stores used to have plumbers candles which also worked, but again I am not sure if they are still available. Posted Friday, December 25, 2020 by KM

A. Your lamp is the older style one and the correct mounting bracket for it has the foot on it which slides into the shoe on the lamp. The newer style lamps are reversed, the lamp has the foot and the bracket has the shoe so if you order the brackets make sure that you get the right one! Posted Friday, December 25, 2020 by KM

Q3824 Non-Sweating lamps I look on Ebay everyday for some items I like. I look at railroad lanterns and switch lights. I often see the phrase 'non sweating' used with the lights. What does that mean? Thanks. Posted Sunday, December 20, 2020 by Mike Post a Reply Email a reply

A. Air flow within the lamp keeps the outside from sweating as the lamp warms in cool or cold weather. Posted Sunday, December 20, 2020 by h v coll

A. When the kerosene burns in the lamp, it makes water vapor along with the light of the flame. If the lamp was just a metal cylinder, in cold weather the vapor would condense on the inside walls and fog the inside of the lenses. In really cold weather it would turn to ice (inside the lamp) and possibly completely blank the light. The 'non-sweating' design feature keeps the warm, wetter air coming off the flame away from the outside lamp parts and lenses so they don't fog up or ice up and the lamp continues to work well and do its job. The Link is to an Adlake catalog page in the Archives here on this site which explains this more fully. Link 1 Posted Sunday, December 20, 2020 by RJMc

Q3823 A Question of Two Pipers Both of these switch lanterns were made my HL Piper of Montreal Canada. Neither have railroad markings. The newer one claims to have been sold by CP Bygones which sold RR artifacts for CP Rail directly. The other has a Patent date of 1909 but not 1920 as some some later lanterns have appended. The lenses are quite a bit smaller than the other lamp. I don’t have the book which might enlighten the background of these items. I’m wondering if the knowledgeable members of this website could offer any suggestions? Regards [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, December 17, 2020 by CEG Post a Reply Email a reply

Q3822 Info on Lamps? I have recently come across these pair of gas lamps. I was just wondering if the experts could help identify them and possibly give me some information on them? Hope you can help. Thank you. [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, December 17, 2020 by Chris Post a Reply Email a reply

A. I may be way wrong here, but I wonder if these lamps are stage lighting? Here is a short description from Britannica about limelight theater lighting which is where the expression "in the limelight" came from. "Although Thomas Drummond, a British engineer, invented the limelight in 1816, it did not come into general use until some 30 years later. A limelight produces light by directing a sharp point of oxyhydrogen flame against a cylindrical block of lime. The tiny area of lime becomes incandescent and emits a brilliant white light that is soft and mellow. As the block of lime is slowly consumed by burning, it has to be slowly and constantly turned by an operator to supply the flame with a fresh surface. Since the brilliant area was very small, the addition of a mirrored reflector was necessary to give accurate control." Perhaps someone has direct knowledge about stage or theater lighting. Posted Saturday, December 26, 2020 by KM

Q3820 Authentic Lantern Marking? Looking for input on whether or not the markings on this lantern are authentic – they are for the Baltimore and Annapolis Short Line, which was in operation from 1894 to about 1906. It's an A&W 'THE ADAMS' bell bottom model with the latest patent date being August 16, 1892. The globe, I assume, is incorrect (embossed DIETZ 39RR -next line- DIETZ VULCAN -next line- NEW YORK USA) as well as the bell, which is from a CT Ham (pat’d Dec 1893.) Flat verticals and double wire cage. I’ve looked it over and, following guidance on the railroadiana.org website, see no major (obvious) indicators of it being a fake. Pen cap in image is for size reference. Assuming it is real, what would the proper globe and bell look like??? Thanks for any input you can provide. [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Thursday, December 10, 2020 by TP Post a Reply Email a reply

A. Baltimore & Annapolis Short Line is confirmed being made by Adams & Westlake, by the Key Lock & Lantern group (Link 1). However, there was no mention of the B&ASL in their GLOBE reports. Just a GUESS (if I am wrong and someone knows otherwise - please correct me!) but I do not believe an A&W lid belongs on a CT Ham bell frame. This sounds to me like a "mixed marriage," with the lid swapped onto a similar/interchangeable, but unrelated, frame. A Vulcan globe is 5-3/8" and was originally for a Dietz #39 lantern; but "The Adams" and the CT Ham also took 5-3/8" globes. The BA&SL is a fabulous find, I hope you can get better answers than this one. Link 1 Posted Friday, December 18, 2020 by JMS

A. The lantern shown in the photo is a genuine 1892 Pat., no. 39 Steel Guard lantern made by A&W. No. 39 bases made by other manufacturers (in this case, stated C T Ham) will generally fit this frame. The correct base for this frame would be an A&W one piece, deep draw (fount and base are an integral deep draw stamping) with a plug soldered into the center underside of the base. Any no. 39 globe will fit this frame. The B&ASL marking is a factory embossed marking as would be expected. Posted Friday, January 8, 2021 by ASwoyer

A. Thank you ASwoyer and JMS. Appreciate the insight and information. Posted Sunday, January 10, 2021 by TP

Q3819 Armspear Switch Lantern We are interested in possibly buying an Amspear switch lantern that is in an auction. The base is marked 121 and the font is marked Amspear manufacturing. I'm trying to find out what year it was made so I can try to be sure it is completely intact. It appears to be, as all of the glass is there and in good shape, the font appears to be intact, and overall it isn't in horrible shape. Thanks for any help you can give! I haven't been able to find anything about a 121, just the S120... Posted Thursday, December 10, 2020 by GH Post a Reply Email a reply

A. Hello GH, Those numbers that are cast onto the iron lamp tip mounting base are only to indicate how large a switch stand's lamp tip that base will accomodate.I have had both numbers 120 and 121 and the 121 was used on a larger lamp tip. Armspear used a lot of those style tip assemblies but they also used other various cast bases listed in the AAR standards diagrams.The more lamps you look at,the more you will see what I am telling you.Spend some time watching the various online auctions.AAR is the Association of American Railroads and they set design specs on many RR hardware items.Older items may have ARA which is the forerunner of AAR. DJB Posted Saturday, December 12, 2020 by DJB

Q3818 Adlake Semaphore? Can anyone help us identify this Adlake Semaphore? There is a marking we believe is 85/33 on the door. Thanks. [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Friday, December 4, 2020 by George Post a Reply Email a reply

A. looks very similar to a GRS lamp Posted Saturday, December 12, 2020 by DD

A. Since it has been 10 days with little response, I will give a basic response to your question. This is the shell for an electric lamp to illuminate a semaphore signal. It is missing the lamp parts and the clear lens. It does have the outside portion of the mounting bracket. This would have been mounted by another bracket to the mast , and located behind the semaphore arm, so as to illuminate only one signal aspect at a time. As most semaphore signals were placed when there was no, or little electric service available , many of these lamps were of a different style that were designed to use kerosene or lamp oil. You have the beginnings of a nice piece, but you are only half way there to a complete unit. Posted Tuesday, December 15, 2020 by h v coll

Q3817 Switch Stand Fitting My dad has an old train switch stand that he'd like to get the lamp/lantern for. He hasn't been able to find the right fit, so I've been trying to do some searching on my own. Here are some images of the top of the stand, where the lamp would sit. It's not a square/rectangle piece on the top. It's tapered and gets smaller toward the top. Could you point me in the right direction? Is there a specific type, model, or brand I need to be looking for in order to find a lamp/lantern for his railroad switch stand? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you, [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, November 29, 2020 by Andy Post a Reply Email a reply

A. Hello Andy, Can you tell me what railroad you suspect this switchstand is from.Not knowing what part of the country you are from ,I am just taking a wild guess it may from the CSTPM&ORR or Omaha RR or its a very old Milwaukee Road stand made before they added the locking pin hole to secure the switch lamp on the tip.I am from Wisconsin so that explains my 2 guesses.If you know for sure which RR this stand is from it will be much easier to find a lamp to fit it.A complete picture of your switchstand would help immensely. DJB Posted Wednesday, December 2, 2020 by DJB

A. Hi Andy, I too have wanted lamps for my switch stands, and my search took me on a very long journey indeed. What complicates things is that different railroads had their own designs and standards for their signalling devices. If you send a PM to: lostshoeranch@shaw.ca, I will send you some info I have compiled on signal lamps for switch stands. That will get you started. It was tricky for me to finally get lamps for my switch stands but I can tell you it is well worth the wait- they look spectacular, even when not lit and really allows you to "step backwards in time". From Steve Barnett Posted Wednesday, March 31, 2021 by Steve B

Q3816 CPR Lamp Can anyone help to identify a CPR Railroad signal lamp I have? Details are as follows : HLP-CPR Piper Montreal. It has 4 orange lenses. This is the detail that is confusing. My understanding based on the reading I have done is that signal lamps generally have 2 colored lenses. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, November 29, 2020 by Dan Post a Reply Email a reply

A. CPR stands for Canadian Pacific Railroad and you are on the right track, thinking that all four lenses almost certainly were not what this lamp came out of the factory with. Virtually all lamps of this type have replacement lenses for at least a few. Those who replaced them may not have known the original color to use. HLP is Hiram L. Piper, the company name between 1902 and 1995, per "Illustrated Encyclopedia of Railroad Lighting, Vol. Two The Railroad Signal Lamp" (Barrett and Gross). Does someone have time to look through this section and find info about this model lamp, Barrett may have listed original glass color(s). I do not have time right now, my apologies, and wishes for best of luck! This "should" be in the Barrett book, the section on Piper is extensive. Posted Monday, November 30, 2020 by JMS

A. This looks like a standard switch lamp which would sit at the top of a switch stand. Typically, it would have two amber or red lenses opposite each other (like north / south) and two green lenses in the "east / west" position. The lenses would align with a yellow / red target on the switch stand pole. Yellow would be used on a switch located in a yard off the main track and red would be used for a switch located on the main track. If the switch is aligned for going straight, the engineer would see green at night and if lined for the siding or "diverging route" then he would see yellow or red warning him to take the curve slowly. Posted Monday, August 9, 2021 by Jason Whiteley

Q3815 Lantern ID? I have this great looking lantern with what looks to be a hand blown dark green glass front. The bottom has two tabs you squeeze to remove the stamped Simplex oil font. Not sure if this is an early train or a boat Lantern. The back looks to have a attachment to slide onto a piece of leather or metal to hold in place Any thoughts of what it is and how old? Thank you. [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, November 29, 2020 by Dennis G Post a Reply Email a reply

A. JMS, where do you see a Fresnel globe? Maybe it is reflection of table cover that appears as such. Posted Monday, November 30, 2020 by DC

A. Its shape, especially with a Fresnel globe, surely looks like a nautical/marine lamp to me. The dark green color is the same as marine use for warning lights on the "starboard" (right) side of a boat or side of a channel. The opposite - red color is used for "port" (left) side warning lamps. This might have been made for a bridge or canal or channel purpose, but I am just guessing. Link 1 Link 2 Posted Monday, November 30, 2020 by JMS

A. DC, my apologies, it's not a Fresnel, I looked too quickly and saw the stripey reflection. Mea culpa. Posted Thursday, December 3, 2020 by jms

Q3812 L.I.R.R. Armspear Lantern I recently acquired this Armspear 1925 lantern for the Long Island Rail Road, but I cannot figure out a date within a decade of when it was made. All I can tell is that it was made by Adlake after 1931. The copyright date on the bottom is barely legible but says Feb 2 26. The handle is covered with wood. Is there a way to tell what decade it is from? [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, November 9, 2020 by Kyle S Post a Reply Email a reply

A. First, Feb 2 26 is a patent date, not a copyright date - which as you know means that is the earliest possible date of manufacture. The "Illustrated Encyclopedia of Railroad Lighting Vol. 1" (Barrett and Gross) includes information and a number of pictures of 1925s, but nothing about when Armspear discontinued this model. Barret DOES state that the No. 25 was included in an undated Armspear catalog that "We would guess that it is probably circa 1948. It includes three pages on the 'No.25' hand lantern." I do not have a suggestion as to where else to look, to determine when this model was discontinued. Per Barrett, it was a popular alternative to the Vesta and several Adlake models. Good luck, I hope you can get your question answered, but it is a real challenge. Posted Saturday, November 14, 2020 by JMS

Q3811 Correct Tail Marker Lenses? A few months back, the community helped me out on a question of whether or not a font/burner from an old Adlake lamp should have a long-time burning chimney or not. Through that conversation I was able to identify the lamp as likely a No. 168 Steel Marker/Tail Lamp (it's very heavy gauge steel). I romanticized a bit the possibility of it having ran on the PERy, but to be honest it has no markings whatsoever - not even manufacturer (the font has an Adams & Westlake circular stamp on it). Perhaps it had some ID on the mounting arm, but it is not present and if anything is buried in the paint/japanning. I won’t find out as I have no intention of stripping it. There were several other electric/interurban railways operating on the West Coast (I found the lamp in Seattle) and I was able to find images of the lamp in use on the Oregon Electric Railway and the Spokane and Inland Empire Railroad in addition to the PERy. The lamp has four lenses, but only three are present (2 lunar white and 1 red; all three are Corning 4D x 2-3/4 FSO 1935) and I'd like to complete the lamp as true to its 'in use' form as possible. I found this great article regarding the use of marker lamps on the old Chicago 'L' lines [see link] illustrating they were set to any combination of Red, Amber, Green, or Lunar White. Although these were mostly integrated into the clerestory, it seems the No. 168s could have been used in the same capacity? Qs 1464 and 2714 offered some good insight, but nothing on interurbans. Can anyone provide guidance on color combos of lenses and their orientations that would have been in use on any West Coast electric/interurban lines (assuming No. 168 is a positive ID)? Thanks! [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Saturday, November 7, 2020 by Jake Link 1 Post a Reply Email a reply

A. Link 1 from the Archives has a lamp very similar to yours from a Pennsylvania interurban, labelled as a Model 78 or 83. Link 1 Posted Saturday, November 7, 2020 by RJMc

A. Thanks RJMc. I had seen those models in the 1907 catalog from the articles & library page and considered them as well. Both models 78 and 83 seem to have a hinged top though and this particular lamp does not. All three of these models look very similar and I'd bet they were pressed from the same pattern. They're all marker / tail lamps so I suppose narrowing it down to that group of three is close enough. Still begs the question of lens color though. The catalog specifies red / green for one particular No. 83; would Red, Lunar, Green, Lunar be inappropriate on these lamps? Posted Saturday, November 7, 2020 by Jake

A. Link 1 with the original Q is very interesting. I had not recognized that rail transit lines and some interurbans use(d) the term 'markers' to refer to 'route designator lights' on the front of trains, not just to mark the rear ends. That Link shows the many combinations of lights that were used to indicate routings for trains in the Chicago elevated transit system; not only to inform prospective passengers but so that towermen knew how to route oncoming trains. The route designator use also explains why lunar white was included as a color choice on transit lines while seldom used for rear-end markers on RR's. Link 1 below shows the white, red, yellow and green combinations used fairly recently in the New York City subway system, with blue used only on PATH trains. Link 2 shows a PE car circa 1942 with what appears to be a lamp similar to yours; but with the prominent metal route sign, it does not appear that the lamp was serving as a route designator. Sorry that this does not shed light on your direct question, but maybe the discussion will trigger someone's memory about West Coast operations. Link 1 Link 2 Posted Tuesday, November 10, 2020 by RJMc

A. All railroads used signals to assist in controlling trains. There were different signal suppliers , with different types of signals, The railroads also had different meanings for these signals depending on which railroad you were operating on. There was little uniformity. The tail markers were also a signal , only for the end of the train. They also varied as to what railroad they were on, by both shape and colors used. If a railroad had joint use of a section of track with another railroad , the crews had to know the signals of both railroads. Posted Sunday, November 15, 2020 by hv coll

Q3810 Painting Railroad Lamps Is it generally frowned upon to paint a railroad lamp any color other than the original color? I have seen some 4 way lamps where the outer ring (don't know correct term) is painted bronze or gold). I like how it adds color to an otherwise plain black lamp. Also, would it be considered 'acceptable' to repaint using semi glossy enamel? Or would that be tacky? Were these lamps painted originally in a flat black? Thank you. Posted Friday, November 6, 2020 by Susan S Post a Reply Email a reply

A. Hello. We can't tell what kind of lamp you may have. Take a look at the two Links below which are to the archives here on the RRiana site to see illustrations of several of the various kinds, and there are several other informative pages in the same area of the site. I found the first Link interesting because at the bottom of the page it shows a switch lamp with the lens retaining rings colored bronze or gold -- something I had never seen before. You may also be referring to the much larger switch lamp 'day targets' shown in a red color on the lower right of the second Link. The colors of those served particular purposes to signal oncoming trains so the colors were set by rule and matched to the lens colors (although not always identical; green lenses may have had white day targets, for example. As to painting, there really were no universal standards. Every RR was free to order lamps to whatever finish they desired and to repaint them later as they came in for maintenance. No doubt the vast majority were black, as indicated in Link 2 most probably started out with gloss and then weathered toward flat black. Some RR's did paint their four-sided marker lamps yellow. And when Handlan was in the final stages of kerosene light production, they sold bright brass lamps to the public for souvenir purposes. Link 1 Link 2 Posted Saturday, November 7, 2020 by RJMc

Q3809 Torch Question Does anyone know exactly what this is? Thanks in advance for your help. [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Monday, November 2, 2020 by Nate Post a Reply Email a reply

A. One reason though that a 'hand lighting torch' is/was less likely to be used on a RR: fusees (flares) were always around, commonly available, and very easy to use whenever anything needed to be ignited or heated. They would be used for everything from lighting steam locomotive fires to thawing pipes, so no extra hardware was required. Posted Tuesday, November 3, 2020 by RJMc

A. The Link shows a 'hand lighting torch' as part of the equipment for an asphalt paving machine. The 'lighting' here refers to 'igniting' rather than supplying light. The one in the link is being used to ignite (large) propane burners. Yours looks to be an older model, where the heaters might also have run on fuel oil rather than propane, and it might have been needed around any kind of equipment that required high-capacity heaters. On the RR, one such application might be pre-heating welded rail which is done if the outside temperature is to low. Link 1 Posted Tuesday, November 3, 2020 by RJMc

A. I would have had no way of knowing how long the railway fuzees as we know them , had been around , except for the time when my grandfather passed in the late 50`s. In cleaning out an old cabinet in his garage, my dad and I came across dozens of them , some dating back to WW1. NO , we did not try to light them ! Posted Friday, November 13, 2020 by hv coll

Q3807 Inspector Lantern Globe Colors? I have a question about inspector lanterns. Did they ever have blue, red, or amber globes, or did they only have clear ones? Thanks for your time. Hope someone can answer my question. Posted Sunday, November 1, 2020 by Greg Post a Reply Email a reply

A. Clear for the inspection lantern , blue for marking the end of the train or string of cars they were inspecting , to mark it from being moved or connected onto. Posted Monday, November 2, 2020 by h v coll

A. In order to get as much light as needed to inspect the inspectors lantern also had a mercury glass reflector behind the globe. Posted Monday, November 2, 2020 by DC

A. There was more than one kind of 'inspector lantern,' A 'car inspector lantern' has a reflector and hood assy; the whole purpose was to throw as much light as possible on the items to be inspected. That can only be accomplished with a clear globe. While all kinds of globes would probably fit, it would not make sense to block most of the light with a colored globe. The purpose of 'blue flagging' a track would be defeated by the limited viewing angle of the inspection light, not to mention the inspector would have no light to do his job while the lantern sat on the far end of the track to protect him. It raises the question of whether car inspectors carried more than one lantern. There are also 'Track Inspector' lanterns,some in North American practice and many in overseas RR practice. The track inspectors also had the need to flag trains if they found defects, so those lanterns often had changeable color provisions by switching lens covers or rotating part of the lantern. Posted Monday, November 2, 2020 by RJMc

A. I did not clarify my previous answer as to "inspection". There were multiple jobs that were inspection of some sort but there were two "main" jobs on a railroad that were inspection. There were car inspectors , whose normal job was to inspect and prepare a cut of cars about to leave a yard , and there were track inspectors whose normal job was to inspect an area of track assigned to them , as to condition. Both used somewhat the same style of lantern , but with differences. The car inspector used two styles , a lantern for viewing the car for defects and to assist in attaching air hoses , etc. , plus two lanterns with blue globes, one for each end , for night work , to mark the cut of cars he was to be inspecting. The track inspector needed only an illumination lantern. Sometimes his lantern had a hole in the reflector to illuminate a small red lens in the back , for his safety. Almost all the inspection lanterns had a polished steel or mercury filled reflector in them to increase the light. The very early ones did not have any reflector. As to inspection, just some were locomotive , signal, structure, Book of Rules , and many others. Posted Wednesday, November 4, 2020 by hv coll

Q3804 Vintage of Caboose Lamp? I'm hoping you can tell me the approximate vintage of this unusual Adlake Caboose lamp. It has manual levers for changing the color of illuminated markers in the windows. All the patent dates are in the 00 to teens range, but that probably isn't accurate for a manufacture date. Thanks. [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, October 25, 2020 by Tim W Post a Reply Email a reply

A. Barrett and Gross's Encyclopedia of RR Lighting Vol. 2 shows this as a Model 187 Automatic Locomotive Classificaton Lamp. The 'automatic' refers to the quickly selectable color changing; the green lens filters confirm use as a classification lamp rather than a caboose marker. The lamp could also be used as a marker on the rear of the locomotive tender. They state that this model of lamp was first in Adlake catalogs in 1907. After 1916 or so most lamps were made with square tops and modified ventilation, but its possible the older style might still have been supplied if someone chose to order it. The Model 187 shipped with the standard ribbed glass lenses; your lamp looks to have been modified later to have the flat glass panes and the white targets -- much less effective than the lenses. Posted Sunday, October 25, 2020 by RJMc

Q3801 Pullman Vesta Lantern I have a Dietz Vesta Pullman lantern that I found with a red globe. I swapped the red for a clear globe (the red was cracked) but was wondering if Pullman also would have used either amber, blue or green in their lanterns? Posted Tuesday, October 13, 2020 by RA Post a Reply Email a reply

A. I am guessing your globes are not marked with the name Pullman. I do not know enough about Pullman to know if they used anything except clear in any of their lanterns. The reliable organization Key Lock & Lantern includes Pullman in their list of companies that are documented as having used 5-3/8 inch tall globes (this size of course doesn't fit a Vesta): Clear Cast and Clear Etched Pullman globes have been reported, but there is no mention of "Pullman" in any of the other sizes. See Link 1 to the lantern surveys on the KL&L site. Link 1 Posted Friday, October 16, 2020 by JMS

Q3800 Pere Marquette Lantern I have acquired a Pere Marquette (P.M.R.R. stamped) N.L. Piper tall globe lantern. Unfortunately it's all intact except the globe. Could you please tell me if it would have just a plain clear globe or a globe embossed with Pere Marquette? Thanks, hoping this can answer some questions for me. Posted Monday, October 12, 2020 by boxcarwingy Post a Reply Email a reply

A. On the Home Page there is a Lantern Survey (left side, click on) which has Pere Marquette in the 5 3/8" (tall) globe listings with code explanations if that helps start you out on getting a solution. Posted Monday, October 12, 2020 by ShastaRoute

A. Query # 1060 does have a sample marked globe if you have any interest. Posted Monday, October 12, 2020 by ShastaRoute

A. And plugging "Piper lantern" into the phrase box will pull up four prior lines of query related this firm's history and products...quite a read there. Posted Monday, October 12, 2020 by ShastaRoute

A. Whether the globe is marked or not makes absolutely no difference in how the lantern worked out on the RR, so there were no standards regarding any markings. The lantern survey mentioned above indicates that the PM RR at one time or another had cast clear, red, green and blue globes marked 'Pere Marquette.' But there is no way to know whether they also may have used unmarked globes, which would have been a little cheaper to purchase. For display purposes, its obviously more attractive to have a marked globe, but having an unmarked globe is hardly 'unauthentic.' And the lantern bodies that used the various colors were identical, so you have your choice of what color of globe to use in the lantern, whether marked or not. Posted Tuesday, October 13, 2020 by RJMc

Q3799 Lamp Enquiry Just wondering if you might have an update on a lamp similar to this one? We've found one in my grandfathers things that he left to us but we don't know anything about it. Thanks in advance. [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, October 11, 2020 by Michael O, Australia Post a Reply Email a reply

A. Common in the 40`s and 50`s. Some railroads did use them , but they were mostly sold out of hardware stores. They used a 6 volt battery which did not last long , and if left in the unit would eat out the bottom quickly, so you do not see as many of these in good condition, compared to flashlights. Posted Sunday, October 11, 2020 by h v coll

A. Basically an inspection lantern, designed to aid in looking under the rolling stock and could be set for angles allowing hands free when working on fixes. By the time Japan was kicking out lightweight knock-offs, people carried them for automobiles/trucks/trailers. Those ones often replace the big battery with a block of "D" or "C" cells. Posted Sunday, October 11, 2020 by ShastaRoute

A. Another potential use for these lamps may have been aboard ships as focused lighting during wartime blackout conditions or emergencies. One can see a similar lamp used for a medical procedure in the 1943 film "Action in the North Atlantic"...Hollywood, yes..but they weren't always way off base. The grey paint might be consistent with such production. Posted Monday, October 12, 2020 by ShastaRoute

A. I think this is a terrific piece of family history - it might be the start of a collection of this type of lantern, which is wide and varied. Early models can be a lot of fun! Please check out Link 1, I realize this is eBay U.S.A. but it shows some of the variety. Of course this type of lantern is not as "romantic" as its predecessors, but they are in fact a real collecting interest. Link 1 Posted Friday, October 16, 2020 by JMS

A. This appears to be more heavy duty (?) than the Delta brand for which I could find an ad in Country Gentleman October 1940. That version, dubbed the POWERlite listed at $3.35 less battery (6v. dry). Adjusting for inflation in the post-war climb, that would have been almost about a day's wages for a starting worker in 1940! Here's the details: "Two lights on a double action switch. 800 ft. spot beam from front reflector; broad floodlight from top. Handle reverses. Unbreakable lens. 6 1/2" high. At sport, hardware, electrical dealers or write for literature. DELTA ELECTRIC COMPANY 250 W. 33rd St., Marion, Ind." They alleged 80-100 hours light on one battery. Posted Tuesday, October 20, 2020 by ShastaRoute

Q3798 Kero Font Make? I recently picked up an Adlake No. 250 marked for the Southern Pacific (S.P. Co.). It had a 300 burner in it and a fount with a red star on the bottom. I've not come across this star before and am curious if anyone knows the significance (if any at all). Is it possibly a replacement made by 'Star Lantern and Headlight Co'? I could not find any reference to it on the web or searching previous Qs on the site. Thanks for any info! [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Friday, October 9, 2020 by Jake Post a Reply Email a reply

A. Probably a previous owner or user painted the star on fount, for who knows what reason. The fount was made by Adlake. Posted Saturday, October 10, 2020 by JEM

A. When it comes to Espee I don't think you can jump to any conclusions. It was by necessity a very independent organization from the get go. Stars have been used as designator marks on rolling stock, so this would not automatically be inconsistent. Shops can do all sorts of things. Maybe they just marked some new items in order to catch a thief at work and have a way to prove it. We'll probably never know, but I would leave it just as it was found. Posted Tuesday, October 13, 2020 by ShastaRoute

A. Thank you both for the insightful perspectives! The star struck me as unique and given its weathered condition I would estimate its application sometime around the fonts original period of use. I enjoy most the old lamps and lanterns with character and will certainly keep it as is! Posted Friday, October 16, 2020 by Jake

Q3797 Lamp IDs? I have had these two lanterns/lamps for 45 years. I'm not sure what they are. One was converted to electric. It hung on our old summer cottage. The other was left original. Thank you for any help and time in identifying them. [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Friday, October 9, 2020 by DG Post a Reply Email a reply

A. These are 'station lamps' used for interior lighting before electricity became available. Putting 'station lamp' in the 'By word or phrase' query box will bring up several prior Q's about these. Link 1 below is added again here for your convenience from Q 3781; its a page out of a 1902 RR supply company catalog showing several different kinds of station lamps. Identical or similar lamps were probably used in all kinds of businesses; similar lamps were made by all of the various lantern manufacturers. Link 1 Posted Friday, October 9, 2020 by RJMc

A. I believe many sources of photo documentarianists have in the past refered to them as station "hurricane lamps". ( I pass no judgement on the accuracy of their chosen words.) Might help in finding images. Posted Saturday, October 10, 2020 by ShastaRoute

A. "Storm lamp" might be an alternate name. Posted Saturday, October 10, 2020 by ShastaRoute

A. I suspect many of these lamps got installed before electic lighting was available, and then just left in place as emergency ("hurricane, storm") lights for when the electricity went out. And that made perfect sense long before everyone was willing to put rechargeable batteries, chargers, and wire connections in every emergency light. Posted Wednesday, October 14, 2020 by RJMc

Q3795 Dietz Acme Inspector Lamp I am wondering about the age of a Dietz ACME INSPECTOR LAMP NEW YORK, USA that belonged to my great grandfather. In his death notice it mentioned that he’d been a railroad man almost from it's inception. The stamp on the air tube says 'patented JULY 11-99'. I think the last stamp is 1913. The reflector appears to be mercury glass. The globe says FITALL NEW YORK USA. On the top back of the globe is R15. I'm wondering if you can provide any information on the age of this lantern as his son (my grandfather) was also a railroad man. Any info would be helpful, thank you. [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Saturday, October 3, 2020 by Frannie Post a Reply Email a reply

A. Always remember, if it shows "Pat Appl for", that is an approximate date. If it shows a "patent" date , it has to be made after that date , as the maker would not know the date until approved. Then go by the last date shown for dating purposes . Posted Saturday, October 3, 2020 by hv coll

A. Barrett and Gross's Encyclopedia of RR Lighting Vol. 1 in the section on Dietz products says the Acme Inspector Lantern was sold by them from around 1900 to 1954. The term 'Fitall' on the globe indicates a lamp made earlier in the production; later it was modified to "Fitzall." The patent dates indicate no earlier than 1913. If there is a wire guard around the globe it would indicate manufacture "beginning late in the 1920's." There were some changes of materials and surface finishes later in the production which would not have affected your lamp. Otherwise the lamps of this series were remarkably identical for a very long time. Posted Wednesday, October 7, 2020 by RJMc

Q3794 Pink Globe Lantern I'm new at this and bought this one because it was different. I was told this color was made during the color change from blue to red. The globe is marked with a K with a circle around it as well as a keystone Penn logo. Is this a fact? Real? Thanks. [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Saturday, October 3, 2020 by Sam Post a Reply Email a reply

A. Just to start, the encircled "K" is for Kopp Glass...an authentic manufacturer of safety glass items used in traffic related industries. Still online. Posted Saturday, October 3, 2020 by ShastaRoute

A. Try question 2712 in the lower left box and hit Go there...leave off the Q. It mentions "Kerosene Pink" being a Kopp color. Pink in the middle box will yield several threads. Lantern Survey on the home page left side may help. Posted Saturday, October 3, 2020 by ShastaRoute

Q3793 Bracket Question I believe these are a pair of old RR lamp mounting brackets but not sure. Heavy brass, about 3 1/2 across the top by 2 3/4 tall x 5/8 thick. I saw an illustration from a lantern catalog reprint showing a lamp which had strap iron mount that fit into a slotted bracket like these. Maybe some kind of a a station lamp or signal, etc? The most detailed answers here are usually about RR lamps, so I figured someone here would know. [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Saturday, October 3, 2020 by DA Post a Reply Email a reply

A. Brackets such as these were/are used in RR dining cars and sleeping cars to hook portable tables and possibly other portable accessories such as ashtrays or cupholders to the walls. The sleeping car passenger could request that the porter bring such a portable table -- usually with a fold-down support foot at the outer end -- for activities such as playing cards or writing letters. Posted Saturday, October 3, 2020 by RJMc

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