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Vintage Railroad Lanterns, Lamps & Lenses

In the early days of railroads, operating after dark was a difficult and dangerous proposition. The lights they had available to use as locomotive headlights, switch signal lights, to direct and inspect the trains, and to direct and sort passengers, luggage, and cargo in train yards were generally "dead flame" whale oil lamps and lanterns. Dead flame lanterns rely on convection to bring fresh air inside the lantern globe around the bottom, and the globes and air intakes are shaped to guide airflow around the flame. This design helps to prevent the wind from blowing out the flame, as it is sitting in the middle in "dead" air, but it does not cast a bright light. The glass globes on these early railroad lanterns were fixed to the fuel font, making access to the burner and wick area difficult.

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Bid Now » Buy Now »	Antique, vintage Dietz No. 2 D-Lite railroad or barn kerosene lantern
	Details » Bid on This Item (0 bids) » Buy Now for $22.95 »	Bid: $16.95 Buy: $22.95	$13.00	$29.95	58 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Lima, OH, USA ZIP 45805 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $13.00 Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: cpe321 Feedback: 162 / 99.4% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from cpe321
Bid Now »	Dietz Model T / Caboose (?) Red Tail Lantern • GREAT Condition!
	Details » Bid on This Item (1 bid) »	Bid: $50.00	$10.00	$60.00	58 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Holliston, MA, USA ZIP 01746 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $10.00 Handling Time: 4 business days Seller: jasonbrockert Feedback: 48 / 100% See other items for sale from jasonbrockert
Bid Now »	Vintage Railroad Lamps Chicago North Shore/Milwaukee
	Details » Bid on This Item (1 bid) »	Bid: $99.99	$15.00	$114.99	1 hr 11 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Conover, WI, USA ZIP 54519 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $15.00 Handling Time: 5 business days Returns Accepted Seller: jam3635 Feedback: 224 / 100% See other items for sale from jam3635
Bid Now »	T. & N.O. R.R. SHORT RAILROAD LANTERN CIRCLE K CLEAR GLOBE
	Details » Bid on This Item (7 bids) »	Bid: $23.00	$5.95	$28.95	1 hr 12 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Apollo Beach, FL, USA ZIP 33572 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $5.95 Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 3 business days Seller: grayfox1934 Feedback: 220 / 100% See other items for sale from grayfox1934
Buy Now »	* SWITCH / MARKER LAMP GASKETS 4" (4) SET *
	Details » Buy Now for $10.00 »	Buy: $10.00	$2.00	$12.00	1 hr 13 mins
	Item Condition: New Item Location: Evansville, IN, USA ZIP 47711 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $2.00 Handling Time: 3 business days Seller: lanternexpress Feedback: 7,878 / 100% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from lanternexpress
Buy Now »	mo-pac Missouri Pacific RR Handlan St Louis railroad switch light - lantern
	Details » Buy Now for $209.00 »	Buy: $209.00	Based on Zip	$209.00 Plus shipping	1 hr 16 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Everett, WA, USA ZIP 98208 Shipping Type: Calculated Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: odea60 Feedback: 1,758 / 100% See other items for sale from odea60
Bid Now »	Vintage Dietz NYC Lines Railroad Lantern Embossed Clear Globe New York Central
	Details » Bid on This Item (1 bid) »	Bid: $25.00	$11.00	$36.00	1 hr 26 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Becket, MA, USA ZIP 01223 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $11.00 Handling Time: 2 business days Seller: outmyway271 Feedback: 221 / 97.6% See other items for sale from outmyway271
Bid Now »	Early 1907 New York Central Railroad Lantern Nice Embossed Globe
	Details » Bid on This Item (0 bids) »	Bid: $49.99	$12.00	$61.99	1 hr 34 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: New Milford, CT, USA ZIP 06776 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $12.00 Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: bobkay99 Feedback: 6,816 / 99.9% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from bobkay99
Bid Now »	General Signal 5 3/8" Lexan/Plexiglass Fresnel Lense
	Details » Bid on This Item (0 bids) »	Bid: $20.00	Based on Zip	$20.00 Plus shipping	1 hr 37 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Mason, WV, USA ZIP 25260 Shipping Type: Calculated Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 3 business days Seller: hankhill1450 Feedback: 26 / 100% See other items for sale from hankhill1450
Bid Now »	VINTAGE B AND M DIETZ VESTA RAILROAD LANTERN
	Details » Bid on This Item (1 bid) »	Bid: $20.00	$11.00	$31.00	1 hr 39 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Becket, MA, USA ZIP 01223 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $11.00 Handling Time: 2 business days Seller: outmyway271 Feedback: 221 / 97.6% See other items for sale from outmyway271
Bid Now »	ATLANTIC COAST LINE. RAILROAD LANTERN CAST TALL GLOBE
	Details » Bid on This Item (0 bids) »	Bid: $149.99	$15.00	$164.99	1 hr 48 mins
	Item Location: Punta Gorda, FL, USA ZIP 33982 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $15.00 Handling Time: 5 business days Seller: keylocklantern Feedback: 62 / 100% See other items for sale from keylocklantern
Bid Now »	VINTAGE A.S & CO. RAILROAD LANTERN 3 COLOR RED AND GREEN AND CLEAR
	Details » Bid on This Item (1 bid) »	Bid: $9.99	$15.00	$24.99	1 hr 58 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Imperial Beach, CA, USA ZIP 91932 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $15.00 Handling Time: 3 business days Returns Accepted Seller: originalpicker Feedback: 479 / 99.3% See other items for sale from originalpicker
Bid Now »	Beautiful Working Vintage Handlan Red Globe Railroad Lamp St. Louis Missouri
	Details » Bid on This Item (0 bids) »	Bid: $14.99	Based on Zip	$14.99 Plus shipping	2 hrs 5 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Bayville, NY, USA ZIP 11709 Shipping Type: Calculated Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 3 business days Seller: anthony11709 Feedback: 384 / 99.4% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from anthony11709
Bid Now »	Vintage Antique Luck-E-Lite Contractor railroad lantern No. 225 Warsaw red globe
	Details » Bid on This Item (5 bids) »	Bid: $13.50	$12.95	$26.45	2 hrs 11 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Colorado Springs, CO, USA ZIP 80915 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $12.95 Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: hunterace0 Feedback: 2,711 / 100% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from hunterace0
Bid Now »	C.R.R. of N.J. TALL ETCHED RAILROAD LANTERN CLEAR GLOBE
	Details » Bid on This Item (6 bids) »	Bid: $18.50	$5.95	$24.45	2 hrs 19 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Apollo Beach, FL, USA ZIP 33572 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $5.95 Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 3 business days Seller: grayfox1934 Feedback: 220 / 100% See other items for sale from grayfox1934
Buy Now »	VINTAGE ADLAKE NON-SWEATING RAILROAD LANTERN YELLOW LENS FROM DURHAM ENGLAND
	Details » Buy Now for $79.99 »	Buy: $79.99	Based on Zip	$79.99 Plus shipping	2 hrs 22 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Grand Haven, MI, USA ZIP 49417 Shipping Type: Calculated Handling Time: 2 business days Returns Accepted Seller: gmansgold Feedback: 2,326 / 100% See other items for sale from gmansgold
Buy Now »	2 Antique Railroad Lanterns
	Details » Buy Now for $125.00 »	Buy: $125.00	$30.00	$155.00	2 hrs 24 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Marblehead, MA, USA ZIP 01945 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $30.00 Handling Time: 3 business days Seller: curiouscave Feedback: 829 / 100% See other items for sale from curiouscave
Buy Now »	Vintage! 3 Clear Glass Railroad Latern Shades -Amazing!
	Details » Buy Now for $19.99 »	Buy: $19.99	$12.00	$31.99	2 hrs 51 mins
	Item Location: Chicago, IL, USA ZIP 60625 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $12.00 Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: thepenndutchman Feedback: 6,407 / 99.6% See other items for sale from thepenndutchman
Bid Now »	Vintage WMRy Western Maryland Railway Lantern - Red Etched Globe - Dietz
	Details » Bid on This Item (0 bids) »	Bid: $219.99	$11.00	$230.99	2 hrs 52 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Fairfax, VA, USA ZIP 22032 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $11.00 Handling Time: 3 business days Returns Accepted Seller: pandaman38 Feedback: 14,788 / 100% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from pandaman38
Buy Now »	Vintage Winged Wheel No. 350 Red Kerosene Lantern 7.5 inches tall Railroad Lamp
	Details » Buy Now for $29.99 »	Buy: $29.99	Free	$29.99	2 hrs 54 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: North Highlands, CA, USA ZIP 95660 Shipping Type: Calculated Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: brettf1430 Feedback: 504 / 100% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from brettf1430
Bid Now » Buy Now »	Vintage KOPP Railroad Lantern Globe Orange
	Details » Bid on This Item (0 bids) » Buy Now for $49.99 »	Bid: $39.99 Buy: $49.99	Based on Zip	$39.99 Plus shipping	2 hrs 57 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Canada ZIP P1B5T8 Shipping Type: Calculated Handling Time: 2 business days Returns Accepted Seller: trinkets2000 Feedback: 4,160 / 100% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from trinkets2000
Buy Now »	ALADDIN MODEL 12 OIL LAMP ~ CROME BRACKET/WALL ~ CABOOSE OIL WALL LANTERN/LAMP
	Details » Buy Now for $99.99 »	Buy: $99.99	Based on Zip	$99.99 Plus shipping	3 hrs 15 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Thief River Falls, MN, USA ZIP 56701 Shipping Type: Calculated Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 5 business days Returns Accepted Seller: jrstonecastle Feedback: 1,651 / 100% See other items for sale from jrstonecastle
Buy Now »	Dietz Monarch Fitzall New York USA Lantern
	Details » Buy Now for $49.00 »	Buy: $49.00	$11.75	$60.75	3 hrs 20 mins
	Item Location: Piscataway, NJ, USA ZIP 08854 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $11.75 Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: mudbit Feedback: 638 / 99.1% See other items for sale from mudbit
Buy Now »	ALADDIN NU-TYPE MODEL B OIL LAMP ~ BRACKET/WALL ~ CABOOSE WALL LANTERN/LAMP
	Details » Buy Now for $99.99 »	Buy: $99.99	Based on Zip	$99.99 Plus shipping	3 hrs 22 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Thief River Falls, MN, USA ZIP 56701 Shipping Type: Calculated Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 5 business days Returns Accepted Seller: jrstonecastle Feedback: 1,651 / 100% See other items for sale from jrstonecastle
Bid Now »	N.Y.N.H.&H. Brakeman's Lantern
	Details » Bid on This Item (1 bid) »	Bid: $15.00	Based on Zip	$15.00 Plus shipping	3 hrs 33 mins
	Item Location: Greenfield, MA, USA ZIP 01301 Shipping Type: Calculated Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 2 business days Seller: ma2727 Feedback: 43 / 100% See other items for sale from ma2727
Bid Now »	Vintage Kerosene Railroad Lantern from Germany Firehand Superbaby #175
	Details » Bid on This Item (1 bid) »	Bid: $9.95	$15.00	$24.95	3 hrs 36 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Belleville, NJ, USA ZIP 07109 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $15.00 Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 1 business day Seller: jckks Feedback: 329 / 100% See other items for sale from jckks
Bid Now »	Dietz Fitzall Feuerhand Nr 257 Lantern 1914
	Details » Bid on This Item (1 bid) »	Bid: $24.99	$9.00	$33.99	3 hrs 45 mins
	Item Location: McHenry, IL, USA ZIP 60050 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $9.00 Handling Time: 4 business days Seller: yellowcasey Feedback: 189 / 0% See other items for sale from yellowcasey
Bid Now »	UNION PACIFIC RR VINTAGE TOBACCO SPIT JUG "REPRODUCTION" ***
	Details » Bid on This Item (0 bids) »	Bid: $12.00	$16.90	$28.90	4 hrs 12 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Hacienda Heights, CA, USA ZIP 91745 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $16.90 Handling Time: 3 business days Seller: yankii2 Feedback: 50 / 100% See other items for sale from yankii2
Bid Now »	RUBY RED NEW YORK CENTRAL RR LANTERN
	Details » Bid on This Item (7 bids) »	Bid: $76.00	Based on Zip	$76.00 Plus shipping	4 hrs 40 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Lebanon, ME, USA ZIP 04027 Shipping Type: Calculated Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 3 business days Returns Accepted Seller: spedhead16 Feedback: 20 / 100% See other items for sale from spedhead16
Bid Now »	old justrite RAILROAD LANTERN
	Details » Bid on This Item (0 bids) »	Bid: $9.99	$10.00	$19.99	4 hrs 44 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: New Orleans, LA, USA ZIP 70117 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $10.00 Handling Time: 2 business days Seller: centscerely Feedback: 1,157 / 99.5% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from centscerely
Bid Now »	EMBURY No. 2 AIR PILOT LANTERN
	Details » Bid on This Item (0 bids) »	Bid: $35.00	$15.00	$50.00	5 hrs 3 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Turlock, CA, USA ZIP 95380 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $15.00 Handling Time: 3 business days Seller: romyswife Feedback: 9 / 100% See other items for sale from romyswife
Buy Now »	Vintage Railroad RR Lantern Kopp Amber Lens 5.5 .5FID a
	Details » Buy Now for $24.99 »	Buy: $24.99	$8.86	$33.85	5 hrs 12 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Sparks, NV, USA ZIP 89431 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $8.86 Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 2 business days Returns Accepted Seller: west_tech Feedback: 5,652 / 99.9% See other items for sale from west_tech
Buy Now »	Vintage Railroad RR Lantern Kopp Amber Lens 5.5 .5FID c
	Details » Buy Now for $19.99 »	Buy: $19.99	$8.86	$28.85	5 hrs 12 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Sparks, NV, USA ZIP 89431 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $8.86 Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 2 business days Returns Accepted Seller: west_tech Feedback: 5,652 / 99.9% See other items for sale from west_tech
Bid Now » Buy Now »	VINTAGE PENNSYLVANIA R.R. KEROSENE ROAD FLARE TORCH LANTERN
	Details » Bid on This Item (0 bids) » Buy Now for $75.00 »	Bid: $44.99 Buy: $75.00	Based on Zip	$44.99 Plus shipping	5 hrs 35 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Cleveland, OH, USA ZIP 44119 Shipping Type: Calculated Handling Time: 5 business days Seller: imdear Feedback: 1,365 / 99.3% See other items for sale from imdear
Bid Now »	Adlake non sweating railroad marker light
	Details » Bid on This Item (0 bids) »	Bid: $75.00	$49.57	$124.57	6 hrs 33 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Memphis, TN, USA ZIP 38117 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $49.57 Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 3 business days Seller: sftmi61 Feedback: 304 / 100% See other items for sale from sftmi61
Bid Now »	Vintage Dietz - Little Wizard Lantern - N.Y. U.S.A.
	Details » Bid on This Item (0 bids) »	Bid: $4.95	$12.00	$16.95	6 hrs 44 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Fraser, MI, USA ZIP 48026 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $12.00 Handling Time: 5 business days Seller: crackskickz402 Feedback: 23 / 100% See other items for sale from crackskickz402
Bid Now »	BOSTON AND MAINE RAILROAD ELECTRIC SEMAPHOR LAMP SIGNAL LIGHT BOSTON GRAY
	Details » Bid on This Item (2 bids) »	Bid: $100.00	Based on Zip	$100.00 Plus shipping	7 hrs 4 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Middlefield, OH, USA ZIP 44062 Shipping Type: Calculated Handling Time: 3 business days Seller: madisyn444 Feedback: 250 / 100% See other items for sale from madisyn444
Bid Now »	BALDWIN LOCO WORKS LAMP LANTERN EARLY 1900's BRASS LOCOMOTIVE RAILRAOD TRAIN
	Details » Bid on This Item (6 bids) »	Bid: $156.99	$11.00	$167.99	7 hrs 17 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Chagrin Falls, OH, USA ZIP 44023 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $11.00 Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: raaphds Feedback: 13,526 / 99.9% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from raaphds
Bid Now »	NEW YORK CENTRAL DRESSEL RAILROAD TRAIN ORDER SIGNAL LAMP N.Y.C. RARE
	Details » Bid on This Item (2 bids) »	Bid: $127.50	Based on Zip	$127.50 Plus shipping	7 hrs 18 mins
	Item Location: Middlefield, OH, USA ZIP 44062 Shipping Type: Calculated Handling Time: 3 business days Seller: madisyn444 Feedback: 250 / 100% See other items for sale from madisyn444
Bid Now »	Antique "Adlake" carriage/ railroad signal lantern or lamp
	Details » Bid on This Item (1 bid) »	Bid: $19.50	$14.95	$34.45	7 hrs 21 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Gig Harbor, WA, USA ZIP 98332 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $14.95 Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 4 business days Seller: lieben50 Feedback: 1,658 / 100% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from lieben50
Buy Now »	Original - RR Lantern - Glass Candy Container - L@@K!!
	Details » Buy Now for $35.00 »	Buy: $35.00	Free	$35.00	7 hrs 23 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Wellington, NV, USA ZIP 89444 Shipping Type: Free Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: hardhar Feedback: 1,700 / 100% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from hardhar
Bid Now »	VINTAGE P&R Ry RAILROAD LANTERN WITH BLUE MARKED GLOBE
	Details » Bid on This Item (0 bids) »	Bid: $70.00	$10.00	$80.00	7 hrs 28 mins
	Item Location: Riverside, NJ, USA ZIP 08075 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $10.00 Handling Time: 4 business days Seller: rambler718 Feedback: 130 / 100% See other items for sale from rambler718
Buy Now »	DIETZ Lantern - Syracuse New York USA - Small - Beautiful Shape
	Details » Buy Now for $88.00 »	Buy: $88.00	$14.00	$102.00	7 hrs 36 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Middlesex, NJ, USA ZIP 08846 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $14.00 Handling Time: 5 business days Seller: jac160 Feedback: 576 / 100% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from jac160
Bid Now »	VINTAGE ALADDIN RAILROAD CABOOSE OIL LAMP HANGING BRACKET "NEW"
	Details » Bid on This Item (0 bids) »	Bid: $44.99	Based on Zip	$44.99 Plus shipping	7 hrs 38 mins
	Item Location: Carriere, MS, USA ZIP 39426 Shipping Type: Calculated Handling Time: 5 business days Returns Accepted Seller: mrcajun39426 Feedback: 927 / 100% See other items for sale from mrcajun39426
Buy Now »	** Railroad American Railways Switch Key Directory reproduced
	Details » Buy Now for $11.00 »	Buy: $11.00	$2.50	$13.50	7 hrs 44 mins
	Item Location: Los Gatos, CA, USA ZIP 95032 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $2.50 Handling Time: 2 business days Returns Accepted Seller: trainbag Feedback: 701 / 100% See other items for sale from trainbag
Buy Now »	Vintage Dietz Monarch NY Tubular Railroad Barn Lantern Fitzall Ruby Red Glass
	Details » Buy Now for $29.99 »	Buy: $29.99	$11.80	$41.79	7 hrs 46 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Skokie, IL, USA ZIP 60077 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $11.80 Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: tntgem Feedback: 3,764 / 99.8% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from tntgem
Bid Now »	FIVE RAILROAD SIGNAL LIGHT CONNECTORS. 12 VOLT
	Details » Bid on This Item (0 bids) »	Bid: $14.99	$5.35	$20.34	7 hrs 58 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Baldwin Park, CA, USA ZIP 91706 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $5.35 Handling Time: 2 business days Seller: casamontes Feedback: 866 / 100% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from casamontes
Buy Now »	6 Position Terminal Strip -- #14-24 x 1.125" Studs
	Details » Buy Now for $4.50 »	Buy: $4.50	Free	$4.50	8 hrs 15 mins
	Item Condition: New Item Location: Victor, NY, USA ZIP 14564 Shipping Type: Calculated Expedited Shipping One-Day Shipping Available Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: nimbypig Feedback: 992 / 99.4% See other items for sale from nimbypig
Buy Now »	Vintage Dietz NY "Little Wizard" Lantern
	Details » Buy Now for $29.00 »	Buy: $29.00	Based on Zip	$29.00 Plus shipping	8 hrs 24 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Ontario, CA, USA ZIP 91761 Shipping Type: Calculated Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 3 business days Returns Accepted Seller: everythingvintageshop Feedback: 263 / 100% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from everythingvintageshop
Buy Now »	Antique Handlan St Louis railroad train caboose lantern or lamp,Red,very good
	Details » Buy Now for $600.00 »	Buy: $600.00	$25.00	$625.00	8 hrs 27 mins
	Item Location: Monroeville, PA, USA ZIP 15146 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $25.00 Handling Time: 3 business days Returns Accepted Seller: field_marshal Feedback: 933 / 100% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from field_marshal

See more Vintage Railroad Lanterns, Lamps & Lenses at eBay »

In the middle of the 19th century, several innovations took place in lighting technology. Dietz and Company patented a flat wick lantern burner designed to burn kerosene in 1859. Although the railroad industry continued to use lamps and lanterns burning signal oil for some time afterward, the arrival of kerosene presaged future use of the fuel in later railroad lanterns. In 1868, John Irwin received the patent for his "hot blast" type lantern, a design that diverted exhaust gas back down tubes on the sides of the lantern to direct a mix of fresh and hot air at the flame, making it burn brighter. That same year, Dietz & Smith began producing their first hot blast lanterns. In 1874, Irwin patented a similar "cold blast" type lantern, which was designed to force cold, fresh air at the flame, making it burn even brighter than the previous "hot blast" design. By that time, a number of companies were producing lanterns and signal lamps for the railroad industry, including the Buffalo Steam Gauge and Lantern Company and Adams and Westlake, commonly known as Adlake.

Because there were a large number of lantern manufacturers serving the diverse needs of the railroad companies, many different types of lanterns and lamps were produced over the years. An early innovation was to make the globe removable, allowing easier access to service the burner and wick, and allowing for easy replacement of broken globes. The fixed globe lanterns were replaced by tall globe lanterns with red, cobalt blue, green, amber, and clear globes. The different colors were used for signaling and to mark the end of a train, or a train that was stopped because it was being worked on. Different arm motions and color combinations could allow a switch operator or ground man to tell the engineer of a train to stop, slow down, proceed with caution, or could alert him that the train had parted. Track switches and train yards had signal lamps that were designed with lenses to direct different colors of light in different directions, analogous to modern day automobile traffic lights.

Some lanterns were designed for very specific roles in the railroad industry. Conductor's lanterns were generally larger and more ornate than the ones used by engineers and brakemen. The traveling public expected a dignified and well dressed conductor, and a dented and rusty old lantern would not fit the image as well as a shiny brass conductor's lantern throwing a bright light. Particularly fancy ones, called presentation lanterns, were handed out on special occasions and to particularly valued employees.

Railroad inspectors, sometimes called trackwalkers, had bright lanterns designed with a reflective case and lens, made to focus as much light as possible in a small area. They had to check the trains for cracked wheels or axles, damaged couplers, and ensure proper lubrication and maintenance activities were performed on locomotives and rolling stock. The bright light of the Dietz Acme hot blast lantern and the Dietz Ideal cold blast lantern served railroad inspectors for decades.

These signal oil lanterns gave way to kerosene lanterns, and lamp design changed again to accommodate the new fuel. Short globe railroad lanterns of the early 20th century continued in production and use until late in the 20th century, so many fine examples can be found. Though they were shorter, the brighter kerosene flame, sometimes focused using a fresnel lens, was still as useful as long globe lanterns, and for the rail industry represented a far cheaper and more reliable source of portable lighting than electric lights. The same basic designs are still sold and used today to provide lighting in areas with no electricity and in emergencies such as hurricanes.

Collectors looking for antique and vintage railroad lanterns with markings from railroad and traction companies can find new opportunities to buy these historic marker lanterns, semaphore lanterns and switch lamps here daily. For more collectible RR lanterns, visit Vintage Railroad Lanterns, where you can find lamps from Embury, Dressel, Handlan, C.T. Ham and S.G. & L. Co. appear for sale regularly, along with many other railroad lanterns from turn of the century metal shops.

For more information on the various types of lamps and lanterns used on trains and around railroad yards, visit the Railroad Lamps Web Page and the Railroad Lanterns Web Page at Railroadiana Online, where they also have a special section devoted to railroad Inspector's Lanterns. For definitions of the terms used in describing vintage lantern and lamp parts, visit the Lamp Guild. Collectors interested in other antique lanterns and lamps click here!

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