What were blue railroad lanterns used for?
What were blue railroad lanterns used for?
This lantern with the blue globe was used by station agents to signal a train to pick up train orders, or to mark equipment that was being worked on and wasn’t to be moved.
Why did railroad lanterns have red glass?
At the turn of the 20th century, railroad operators used colored globe lanterns for illumination and signaling at night. The meanings of the colors were the precursors to our modern traffic light system. White was used to indicate that it was safe to proceed, green signaled caution, and red meant stop or danger.
What were railroad lanterns used for?
Railroad lanterns were used to give signals to and from train conductors, track linemen, and railway staff working at train stations. The earliest railroad lanterns were called fixed-globe lanterns where the globe was stationary to the lantern’s frame and base.
Why is it called a red globe lantern?
One way of identifying flashed globes is to examine the rims where chips may reveal clear glass underneath the red coating. Red globes are quite common due to their continued use for flagging well into the electric lantern era.
What were old red lanterns used for?
They were the best means of communication when operating and directing trains. These lanterns communicated signals between trains, stations, and workers, since loud working environments and the distance involved in train operations negated communication by speaking or yelling.
What do white flags on a train mean?
Different flag colors have different meanings: Green flags signal a train to depart, red flags indicate a signal to stop, white flags signal an extra train is following, and a yellow flag is waved two miles before a restricted area to warn trains to slow down due to track conditions or structures.
What does a red signal on a train mean?
stop and proceed
A red permissive signal means stop and proceed. After stopping (which is no longer required on some railroads) the train can proceed at restricted speed until a more favorable signal is reached. But a red absolute signal means stop – and stay stopped.
How old is Dietz Lantern?
They are best known for hot blast and cold blast kerosene lanterns. The company started in 1840 when its founder, 22-year-old Robert Edwin Dietz purchased a lamp and oil business in Brooklyn, New York….R. E. Dietz Company.
| Dietz Lantern Factory, c. 1910 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Lighting Products |
| Products | Carcel lamp Hot Blast Tubular Lantern |
How do you date a Dietz monarch lantern?
To determine the month and year of manufacture on most Dietz lanterns made between 1915 and 1956, look at the “M” or “S” production date located under the patent dates, usually located on the upper part of the air tube to the right of the fuel cap, or on the center air tube on Hot Blast lanterns.
How do you clean old railroad lanterns?
After stripping off the old paint, clean the lantern with warm water and grease removing dish detergent. Dry thoroughly with a clean cloth. If your lantern has any rust, and most old railroad lanterns usually do, it’s important to remove it with a rust-removing product such as Naval Jelly.
How do you clean a railroad lantern?
If the lantern is especially pitted and dirty, I use D&L with pumice in it (a little grit) and work carefully with steel wool and/or a brass hand brush. Wipe thoroughly after cleaning. Assemble the lantern and enjoy.
What are railroad lanterns called?
In the very early years of railroad lantern manufacturing, globes were cemented into lantern frames, and today these lanterns are referred to as “fixed globe” lanterns. These globes varied in size since they were custom-made for specific lantern frames.
Which Lantern globe is best for a railroad?
However, globes that are marked for a railroad are most desirable among collectors, and the ideal lantern globe and frame set has the same railroad marking on both. Above: Angular letters characteristic of cut lettering.
Were all globes marked for the railroad?
Not all globes were marked. In fact some smaller railroads apparently never used marked globes in their lanterns, probably because of expense. However, globes that are marked for a railroad are most desirable among collectors, and the ideal lantern globe and frame set has the same railroad marking on both.
What happened to the globe lanterns?
After World War One, new kerosene lantern technology allowed a smaller combustion chamber, hence the development of the 3 1/2″ high “short globe” style. These types of globes continued to be used until electric lanterns replaced fuel-fired lanterns.
