Question & Answer Board

 Q1375 Baldwin WM Builder's Plate   I found a Baldwin builder's plate for Western Maryland 4-8-4 Potomac no. 1401, built 1947. Looking through your database, I found one Baldwin repro, for a C&O 0-8-0, but not for this. Does anyone know if repros were produced for this engine/railroad? It's mounted on a wood plaque nicely finished with the Western Maryland logo painted on. It also has an old Dymo label, but I don't remember what it says. I didn't handle the plaque, so don't know if it's actually cast metal, and don't remember what metal it appears to be. Two things bother me -- it seems to be flat, although I didn't look at the back side-would a five sided Baldwin steam plate be flat on the front? And the price seems very low (low enough I might buy it even if I think it's a repro).  Posted Wednesday, July 23, 2008 by NB   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Can you post a picture? The Baldwin five side plates are flat.  Posted Wednesday, July 23, 2008 by Ex Sou Ry

A. Thanks for the info. I won't be back to the shop for a few days. When I do, the info I've found here will help alot. Will get pics then. Posted Wednesday, July 23, 2008 by NB

 Q1374 Railroad Silver  What is the composition of 'Railroad Silver'?  Posted Tuesday, July 22, 2008 by RM   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Silver used on railroad dining cars was nothing more than silver plate. It was just basic restaurant ware with a railroad marking. Posted Wednesday, July 23, 2008 by Ex Sou Ry

 Q1373 BN.ING Kero  I have a Kero lantern that is marked BN.ING on the top and I can't find a reference to it. I thought you might you know? The only thing I can find close is B.N. Inc I live in Portland or area. Thanks.  Posted Sunday, July 20, 2008 by Thom   Post a Reply  Email a reply

 Q1372 Spread Lenses on Lamps  Hello, I am hoping that you can enlighten me. Please advise on info regarding Spread Lenses used on railroad switch lamps. Specifically why were spread lenses used instead of bullseye lenses? Thank you in advance for your assistance.  Posted Sunday, July 20, 2008 by JK   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Very easy answer. They were used in any condition or situation where a light from the lamp needed to be seen on a wider angle than just straight down the track. In yards say, where they were putting trains together and switches were hand operated and you might need to get a car three tracks over and it helped to see if a switch was open or closed. Also, sometimes if a switch was on a curve in the track, it helped to be able to see the color sooner than would be the case with a straight line lens. There were different deflections angles also (i.e., greater or smaller) depending on what you felt was needed. Anything else I've missed to those out there with some other ideas? Posted Monday, July 21, 2008 by TJ

 Q1371 ERR Brass Lock  I just recently aquired an early, large, ERR brass heart-shaped lock marked as made by the 'J.M.B. Davidson & Co. Albany, N.Y.' Does anyone have any information on this company?? The lock has the holes throught the latching end of the hasp (I believe for a seal?), and is larger than the usual brass switch lock. It is actually about the same size as the early 'C.P.R.R. of Cal.' brass car locks. Thanks for any information you may be able to provide!   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, July 20, 2008 by Peter   Post a Reply  Email a reply

 Q1370 B.A.& P. Railroad  The B.A.& P. Railroad built in the late 1800's by Marcus Daly was a class 1 railroad built to haul ore from Butte, Montana to the smelter in Anaconda, Montana. When he built the railroad, he had intentions of carrying it out to the pacific coast which never happened. I find items concerning the major railroads and many shortlines but never anything on the B.A.& P. Railroad. Is there any information on this railroad anywhere or hasn't anybody ever heard of it?  Posted Wednesday, July 16, 2008 by WB   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Washington State University Press published a book on the BA&P in 2002. It's called 'Wired for Success' by Charles Mutschler and still available through various book dealers. Posted Thursday, July 17, 2008 by Web Editor

A. The full name is Butte, Anaconda, and Pacific. A quick web search turned up 110,000 entries on the historical railroad as well as its recent reincarnations. The link has a nice writeup, with pix. Link 1  Posted Thursday, July 17, 2008 by RJMc

 Q1369 Trip Information  I’m researching a book which will have a sequence in it involving a railroad journey from New York to Bangor in the 1920s. I’m interested in knowing ticket costs, timetable and whether there was a Pullman service and what it would have included and cost the passenger. I know this is very detailed. But can anyone help? Posted Sunday, July 13, 2008 by Paul   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. The Pullman service would have been on the New Haven out of New York to Boston, then the Boston & Maine from Boston to Portland, then the Maine Central from Portland to Bangor. Some of the name trains with Pullman service that ran that route were The Gull, The Yankee, and the Penobscot, and I think they carried train numbers 22 and 23 on the Maine Central. That inforamtion may be from a more recent time period though. Another interesting train that went from New York to Bangor and then on to Mount Desert Ferry was the Bar Harbor Express. Sections of that all Pullman train originated in Washington, Philadelphia, and New York, and carried the elite and their servants to the posh summer homes at Bar Harbor. The Washington section was discontinued in 1918. Fares and schedules can be obtained by looking in a copy of "The Official Guide To the Railways" whcih was published on an almost annual basis. Copies of it are available at most large public libraries. Posted Sunday, July 13, 2008 by KM

 Q1368 Burlington bell  I own a Burlington bell which has a number stamped (not cast) in the top of the yoke near the brass finial. There are other numbers cast in iron. I've heard of numbers stamped in the bell but never in the iron yoke. The number is 2147. That particular number was the number of a Brooks built R-5 2-6-2 which was retired 12-29. The gentleman who owned it worked for the Burlington all his working life and died in the middle '50's. Has anyone ever heard of Burlington doing this sort of thing? Thanks for any info.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, July 13, 2008 by Jim   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Bells often had the engine number stamped in to the top. The PRR was famous for it. I’ve also seen C&O bells with the engine number stamped in to the top. The numbers cast in to the yoke and rocker are nothing more that casting numbers (sort of like part numbers). Nice looking bell.  Posted Sunday, July 20, 2008 by Ex Sou Ry

 Q1367 Lamp Info & Restoration Advice  I am forwarding some pics of my marker lamp that I picked up in a trade for some toy trains. It is a Hiram L. Piper, I know that much. I cannot find any railroad ID on it. I am in Calgary, Alberta, so I think it should be CPR because this is Canadian Pacific country. Should I clean and repaint it or leave it the way it is? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.  [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, July 13, 2008 by JS   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. The actual shape of the base is hard to tell from the pic, but it looks more like a switch or derail indicator lamp than a marker, which would have arm and mounting shoe sticking out. If the base is hollow, it would sit down over a tapered shaft on top of the switchstand, allowing the lamp to be lifted off to be serviced. Sometimes railroad initials were cast into the base, on the inside wall of the hollow bracket, so check underneath the unit as well as on top.  Posted Monday, July 14, 2008 by RJMc

A. Hello,if you clean and paint it, you have made it the way you want it to look.If you oil it and keep it in a dry place it will last, with out further rusting,and it will look exactly as it did when it was removed from service.It should take no more than what is required to keep a rifle from rusting, oil and wipe down one or twice a year.A old shaving brush and some oil,with a wipe rag is all. Posted Monday, July 14, 2008 by MCD

A. Whether you clean it, paint it or restore it to factory issue is kind of up to you and what you want. I've collected for years and tend to restore mine to their original glory along the same lines of thinking that a classic car seems so much more wonderful when it's brought back to mint or near mint conditions. For those who don't feel that way, that is OK too. I tend to show mine off a lot to a wide assortment of people and for talks and really appreciate being able to point out all the nuances of construction that dealt with the balanced drought technology and efficient fuel burning etc., etc. Hence, I like them clean as a whistle and looking like new. For those who don't need that, it's fine to leave them as is and apply a bit of oil as described above. As for value, we tend not to discuss value here so I'll leave that along. I don't collect these as an investment but once again, that is just me.  Posted Sunday, July 20, 2008 by TJ

 Q1366 Whistle  When did the major railroads switch from the single chime to multiple chime whistles? I've attached a single chime I own that came from a large Santa Fe estate. It's all brass including the arm. It's 6 in. in diameter. Could this be a RR whistle? Thanks for any info.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, July 13, 2008 by Jim   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. From the earliest use of whistles, when some locomotive engineers built their own whistles, and continuing today with diesel horns, 'single chime' or 'multiple chime' is a matter of taste. Your whistle is in the correct size range, and set up with an appropriate valve and lever, to have been used on a locomotive -- as well as many other possible uses.  Posted Sunday, July 13, 2008 by RJMc

 Q1365 Lamp/Lantern ID Needed  I received an old lantern as a gift and have not been able to identify it. It will be come part of my collection on display around my garden railroad. The lantern is in very good condition with the wick assembly easy to operate and the wick in very good condition. The name on the top is HANDLAN, it appears to use kerosene. I've look through both of Anthony Hobson's books and find no reference to Handlan. There are a few other brands that look similar. The dimensions are: 14 in. high; 6.5 in. diameter at base; 5 in. lens; 10 in. across at the shields. From what I've read it probably post WWI. The company seems to be Handlan-Burke and info says that they went out of business in 1960. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, July 13, 2008 by GF   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. The correct company name is Handlan-Buck. And that date of 1960 is wrong also, they were in business until late in the 1980's or maybe the early 1990's. You are right, Hobson does not mention them in either "Lanterns That Lit Our World" or Book Two. Dennis Pearson does in his book, "Classic Lanterns, With Value Guide". That may be where the wrong dates for the company come from, on page 29 he uses the 1960 date, and on page 99 he uses a date as "sometime in the 1970's". Anyhow what you have may be a switch lamp without the enameled day targets on it which were optional, or it may have been a marker light that is missing the foot style bracket and pivot mechanism that fits into the shoe bracket on the corner of a piece of rolling stock. The basic lamp body was the same for either one of them. There is a lot of information about Handlan in the Library here at Railroadiana Online. The link is for the Signal Lamps page from their 1956 catalogue. Handlan's last ditch effort to stay in business was the manufacture of souvenir lamps and lanterns, under the Railfinders name and that is also well documented elsewhere on this website.  Link 1  Posted Sunday, July 13, 2008 by KM

A. Hello,it appears that your light is a Model 150,as it has the sliding door and the 3 supports for the top. It certainly was mfg. after 1910. Posted Monday, July 14, 2008 by MCD

 Q1364 NKP Glasses  I was recently given a set of Nickel Plate Road wine glasses. The owner received them as a gift in the 90's and had no idea of age or origin. The crest is stenciled in white enamel and there is no hallmark on th bottom. Does anybody have any info on these glasses? I have been collecting for over 30 and have no clue. I included an authentic (to the best of my knowledge) NKP water glass in the photo for comparison. Thanks.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, July 13, 2008 by Steve   Post a Reply  Email a reply

 Q1363 WC ST RR CO Bell  I have a little brass bell with the letters, WC ST RR CO stamped on bell. The bell has a diameter of 3 1/8 inches. I would appreciate any information.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, July 9, 2008 by RR   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. I believe this is known as a "horse collar bell" and the marking would be for the street railway line that owned the horse. I never owned one of these but they have to be one of the earliest marked RR items made. Tom Posted Thursday, July 10, 2008 by Tom

A. There was a West Chicago Street Railroad Company that incorporated in 1896 and became part of Chicago Railway Company in 1908. They were horse and cable powered. There were also several WC ST Railway companies, West Chester in PA incorporated in 1890, and Worcester Consolidated in MA, incorporated in 1887. That information comes from "The Trolley and Interurban Directory" by Joseph Gross, Copyright 1987.  Posted Friday, July 11, 2008 by KM

A. There is a really excellent website about horse cars and bells maintained by J. Douglas Cummins. He shows a WC ST RR CO bell there that he has in his collection. His bell has the lettering cast into it, and you say yours is stamped in? Here is the link for the page that shows many of his horse car bells. Link 1  Posted Friday, July 11, 2008 by KM

A. Here is another interesting page from Mr. Cummins' website about the Cherrelyn horse car. It seems that in Englewood, CO the horse pulled the car uphill, and on the return trip the horse was loaded on to the platform of the car and was allowed to ride back down the hill. Cummins said that the route was 1.5 miles long. Rumor has it that it took 15 minutes for the horse to pull the car up the hill, and it took 3 minutes to come back down the hill. So if my arithmetic is right, that is 6 MPH via horsepower pulling up, and 30 mph via gravity coasting back down! I'll bet that was an interesting trip! That horse car is preserved in the Englewood Civic Center. The dust jacket from 'The Trolley and Interurban Directory' has a photo of the Cherrelyn horse car, but does not explain the circumstance of why the horse is on the platform of the car, and I have been wondering about it for a while.  Link 1  Posted Friday, July 11, 2008 by KM

 Q1362 Locomotive Bell  I recently purchased a brass bell with cradle. I was wondering if it is a railroad bell? The only markings, are the letters G O, stamped under metal base. The bell is 7 1/4 inches wide.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, July 9, 2008 by RR   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Others may disagree here and hopefully they will voice their opinions, but my immediate reaction is that it is too small and fragile to be a locomotive bell. By chance is there any paint residue anywhere left on the base, and if so what color is it? How was the base held to anything, how many bolt holes and what size? If it was bolted to a locomotive there might be some evidence of rust on the bottom of the base. The uprights that are holding the bell look weak, since they are not a solid casting all the way across. They might break easily on a moving locomotive. Posted Friday, July 11, 2008 by KM

A. I agree with KM. 7 inch bell is way too small to have been used on a locomotive. Perhaps an early fire engine? Posted Sunday, July 20, 2008 by Ex Sou Ry

A. I have dual hobbies, restoring and operating antique railroad equipment and also antique fire trucks. It is very common for many railfans to also have an interest in fire departments. Anyhow, I quote from the Seagrave Fire Apparatus Parts Manual from 1925, "Bell, One 12" Locomotive Bell". I have recently worked on a 1915 Seagrave, a 1925 Seagrave, and a 1951 Mack, all had 12 inch bells. Most fire trucks used a 10 or 12 inch bell, and the mount was up through the center which caused the bell to be stationary allowing movement of the clapper only to ring the bell. There was a single solid stem or a heavy base that is threaded on the bottom and bolted to the cowl, or the fender, or the bumper. That branches out to a Y shape and back to a single stem which is bolted through the top of the bell. The clapper hangs down from the single stem and the Y shaped area allows it to swing to strike the bell. On a moving fire truck a bell which swings would not last long due to the rough ride of the truck and the pavement conditions. This looks more like a school bell or a farm bell(those tend to be cast iron) to me. Posted Tuesday, July 22, 2008 by KM

A. The following link is for Brosamer's Bells, a company that deals in all kinds of antique bells and some reproductions. Their website has pages which show railroad, fire department, church, ship, and cupola bells.  Link 1  Posted Tuesday, July 22, 2008 by KM

 Q1361 B R.B. & L. R.R. Lantern  I bought this lantern at a fleamarket and was looking for some information. It's marked B R.B. & L. R.R. I think it's from Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn railroad. It looks as though it was electrified at one point and I would appreciate any input anyone has. I thought it might be fake, but it was quite cheap. (Is it worth the effort to make a fake and sell it for $8?)  [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, July 6, 2008 by MM   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. The markings look like typical Adlake markings for early kero lanterns. You did OK. As to it being electrified, you can try soldering up the hole, if you feel up to it. You are correct as to the meaning of the BRB&L initials. Posted Sunday, July 6, 2008 by RF

 Q1360 Nickel Plate Cards  I bought these cards at an antique store. They are in a red, unmarked box. They feature a Nickel Plate Berkshire. Are these Nickel Plate cards or are these a souvenir from a 759 trip perhaps? Does anybody out there know? Any info you can offer would be appreciated. Thank you.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Sunday, July 6, 2008 by JN   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Note the signature "Fogg" in the lower left corner, visible when you magnify the image. That is for Howard Fogg (1917 - 1996) the famous railroad painter. The Nickel Plate railroad commissioned Fogg to make several official paintings when the Berkshires were in service in the 1950's. But Fogg was so prolific over so many decades after that, and his work is reproduced in so many ways that its hard to find the date for this particular illustration. You don't state the size of the cards; are they postcard sized? Or playing cards? Posted Wednesday, July 9, 2008 by RJMc

A. Hi, This is a deck of playing cards. Thanks for the info and any other info you may be able to give me. J.N. Posted Wednesday, July 9, 2008 by J.N.

A. Still checking around. Another very knowledgeable party and I agree, because of some very specific details that can be seen in the picture, the locomotive portrayed on the card is not one of the Berkshires as any of them appeared when in excursion service. So far, the best info I have found about Howard Fogg is in his papers at the Denver Public Library (see link -- which includes a good bio). They state he made more than 1200 RR paintings, including many for 'Leanin' Tree' greeting cards. But they don't seem to have a master list that would pin down this particular painting.  Link 1  Posted Thursday, July 10, 2008 by RJMc

A. These souvenirs are mentioned in Bollhagen's Railroad playing card book, and date from 1945. Posted Friday, July 11, 2008 by j

A. Great info, thanks JN. Were these officially commissioned by the NKP Railroad? Or just someone (else's) commercial product?  Posted Saturday, July 12, 2008 by RJMc

A. The playing cards were sold by the Nickle Plate RR. Posted Saturday, July 12, 2008 by j

A. The 1945 date is highly unlikely. The NKP didn't begin installing Mars Lights on Berkshires until 1950. But that time period was one in which the NKP was promoting itself agressively to shippers, so this souvenir was likely produced for the Industrial Development or Sales Departements to use as marketing inducements. Posted Tuesday, July 15, 2008 by RJMc

 Q1359 RR Tool Site?  Hi. Your site is awesome for information. However, I was looking for information about tools used by railroads -- pike drivers, pick hammer, punches, spike lifters, hammers, etc. etc. Is there a site or work devoted to this field? Thanks.  Posted Sunday, July 6, 2008 by B.G.   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. I do not know of any website that is devoted to antique railroad track tools, but there is a very good site from Railroad Tools and Solutions Company of Hillsboro, OH that has an online catalog with pictures and prices of tools that are in use currently. Other than getting heavier over the years due to heavier rail, the hand tools for track maintenance haven't changed much. The correct name for a spike driver is spike maul, and a spike lifter is called a claw bar. Here is the link for RR Tools and Solutions.  Link 1  Posted Monday, July 7, 2008 by KM

 Q1358 NYLE&WRR Fake Globes  I just finished reading your article on lantern globe fakes. I noticed there is no mention of the NYLE&WRR (New York Lake Erie & Western) To your knowledge have there been reports of this particular railway lantern globe buing reproduced?  Posted Sunday, July 6, 2008 by RH   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. I'm wondering also, as recently on eBay, a seller was offering 'NYLE&W' globes in 4 different colors...highly suspect! - Don Posted Monday, July 7, 2008 by Don

A. The collector who supplied the information on the fake-globe page says that he is not aware of NYLE&W globes being faked. However, there is always the possibility new fakes have been produced or that old fakes of this type have stayed under the radar. As a matter policy our website does not authenticate individual items. We only report what reliable sources have told us is out there. Posted Wednesday, July 9, 2008 by Web Editor

 Q1357 Lock ID Needed  I just bought an old lock at a yard sale and after visiting your website realize it's a railroad lock. I can't make out the manufacture's name stamped on the left side of the face but it appears to be ?SEAIGHT Newark NJ. Also on the back is stamped SRR and then below that is a single S. Is this Southern RR and then a city starting with S?? This is very interesting. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, July 2, 2008 by DH   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A.  The S is most likely for SWITCH.  Posted Wednesday, July 2, 2008 by Ex Sou Ry

A. Slaight is a pretty old maker as far as RR padlocks are concerned. Most Slaight locks that you find have an 1865 patent date, however yours looks like it might be an earlier version, maybe with the 1850's patent. I can't make it out from the photo. The Southern RY didn't start until 1894, and while there is a slight chance that the Southern could have ordered this lock, I believe it is probably from alot older company, one that was most likely in business in the 1860's - 1870's. Unfortunately there are a bunch of "S" companies to choose from, so the location where the lock was found would be the best method to help you to try and identify what particular RR this lock came from. Posted Thursday, July 3, 2008 by DA

A. I have seen correspondence from several Lock companies in which they stated that the letter "S" was for "Standard". Locks marked "SS" were Standard Switch. Lock could be from the Strasburg RR as one of many RR's with the letter "S" RLN  Posted Tuesday, July 8, 2008 by RLN

 Q1356 SO. R WY CO. Marking  I am an avid Southern Railroad collector and have run across a tall Dressel lantern dated 1913 marked with SO. R WY CO. on a metal tag attached to the smoke dome. I am just wondering as I’ve not seen this marking on any Southern items if it is legitimately a Southern Railroad marking? Any help is appreciated.  Posted Wednesday, July 2, 2008 by JM   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. I'm not an expert on this but I've been unofficially noting the railroad markings that I've seen on the Dressel tall frame for quite awhile. There aren't many, as this was a late entry into the tall frame era, and short globe lanterns were quickly replacing them. All of the tagged Dressel frames I have observed to this date have been from railroads centered around the New York City area, such as D&H, DL&W, and Raritan River RR. I'd be inclined to look for a railroad within that geographical area with initials that would fit the marking, maybe a short line or industrial. Admittedly this is based on anecdotal evidence, it doesn't seem to be "in character" with the Southern's other lanterns. Posted Friday, July 4, 2008 by TR

 Q1355 Painting the Inside of a Bell  Hi, I have a dumb question for you. I have restored many things in my life but never a bell. I was looking at your Bell Restoration page and it stated: 'A word of warning - NEVER - NEVER - NEVER repaint the inside of a bell'! Why? I was looking at a bell on eBay that was nicely restored. One of the things I liked about it was how nicely it was restored inside. The inside of the bell was painted bright red and it looked neat. But just before I was going to buy it I read your restoration page. So, I purchased another bell the needs to be shined up but it is totally unpainted inside. So, it said it’s an old rule but I had never heard of it before. Why is it bad to paint the inside of a steam locomotive bell? Thanks so very much for you help again.  Posted Tuesday, July 1, 2008 by Gary   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Some railroads routinely painted the inside of bells. Others did not. Like painting the driver tires white, or not. It was entirely a matter of taste, not function. So I think the warning is to not destroy any original paint, if any, to keep things as traceable to an original condition as possible. But if you are putting it on your own locomotive, rather than trying to collect antiques, paint it, if you want. (There are several earlier questions on this topic, but the search won't find them right now.) Posted Wednesday, July 2, 2008 by RJMc

A. Put question number 741 or 653 in the 'Search By Question Number box to see a lot of prior discussion of locomotive bell handling. Or put 'locomotive bell' in the word or phrase search to see even more discussion (you may have to try several times; the search engine seems to be pretty finicky). Posted Wednesday, July 2, 2008 by RJMc

A. I have seven different styles of locomotive bells in my collection. The answer to your why question is simple, elementary really. Think of it this way… We’ve all seen the TV program Antiques Road Show. When it comes to the bottom line on a piece of furniture they’ll say something along the lines of, as is its worth $5k. HOWEVER, if you hadn’t refinished it, it would be worth $250k or more. It takes years and years of weather, wear, use and abuse to develop a nice patina on a locomotive bell. A serious or advanced collector will see this as a sign of authenticity. You can polish the outside of a bell and repaint the yoke and cradle and you’ll have a nice display piece. If you leave the inside as is, nobody will ever be able to say it’s a repro. So for heaven’s sake, DON”T mess with the inside of a bell! It will only hurt the value and will do nothing to enhance the bell itself.  Posted Wednesday, July 2, 2008 by Ex Sou Ry

 Q1354 CNORy RR Marking  I recently came across a Keystone 'casey' lantern, patent date of 1908, with the markings CNORy. Can you tell me who this railway was? Thanx  Posted Saturday, June 28, 2008 by AS   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. It might be Canadian Northern Railway or Canadian Northern Ontario Railway. The Canadian Northern used a lower case "o" as in CNo RY. In the Lantern Surveys page elsewhere in this site the Canadian Northern is listed as having Casey lanterns. The Canadian Northern Quebec is also listed there, if by chance that is a Q and not an O. The links are for the Casey Lantern Survey page and for a history of the CNo Ry. and the CNO RY. Link 1  Link 2  Posted Saturday, June 28, 2008 by KM

A. My guess is that yo are miss reading the O for a Q as the Canada Northern Quebec used the Casey. Pretty hard to find lantern marking. I'd say that you have a good lantern there. Posted Monday, June 30, 2008 by Ex Sou Ry

 Q1353 Lantern Type?  I was wondering if any one out there has a clue as to what type of lantern this is? RR or Mining? It says National Carbide Lantern #28 stamped on the handle. It's Pat date is Feb 15th 1927. I have 2 of these and have no clue as to what they truly are.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Friday, June 27, 2008 by Alice   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. National Carbide, also known as National Carbon Company was a wholly owned division of Union Carbide. They had several plants in Cleveland, and Lakewood, OH. I do not think that the lamp was made in Cleveland, though. A patent search turns this up, patent number 1,617,432 was issued on 2/15/1927 for a carbide fueled railroad track walkers or car inspectors lantern and was assigned to The Wolf Safety Lamp Company of America, Brooklyn, NY. (There is also a Wolf Safety Lamp Company in the UK that is still in business, and I think that is unrelated to this.) The patent drawings do not look exactly like your lamp, but National Carbide may have bought out the rights at some point and used only a portion of the patent for their own lamp. So, it might be possible that this was a railroad lamp, but it may also have had general or mining usage. You might want to look up the patent drawings for the Wolf lamp and compare the various details to see if any of them are similar. Many other railroad carbide lamps were made by Oxweld, and were marked for the New York Central.  Posted Saturday, June 28, 2008 by KM

A. Hello,in the past I had a similar lamp,also there was another in the same unused condition on eBay.The one I owned was marked Lincoln Building,NYC.It had a green cut glass in the back that allowed the carbide light to illuminate it.The building is still there but the people were of no help when I called.Also calling the Carbide museum was of no help.I assumed it was a safety evacuation light, if the electricity failed in the dark.The patent Ken found was for the hanging handle,also used on the Oxweld. Posted Saturday, June 28, 2008 by Mike Dolan

A. Hello,the statement that the patent applies to the handle is not correct. It clearly.describes the lantern and its purpose.My apologies Ken. Posted Sunday, June 29, 2008 by Mike Dolan

 Q1352 RR Silver ID Needed  I am looking for information regarding what looks like a coin container that was possibly used in the railroad cars. It's silver (don't know if its plate or pure -- no marking on it) It was made by Reed & Barton. 0147-h is stamped on the bottom of the dish. There is a small hole on one side of the lip (possibly for a chain or something to hold it in place).T here is a stamp on the front of the dish that has Southern Pacific and a picture of tracks in the center with the word 'lines'.in the center. Thanks in advance.   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, June 25, 2008 by MM   Post a Reply  Email a reply

A. Depending on the size, it appears to be a butter icer, or a wine bottle holder. NOTE: I know that its best to not use the terms always or never but… The railroads used silver plate never sterling. Remember it was just basic restaurant ware with the addition of the railroad logo or marking.  Posted Monday, June 30, 2008 by Ex Sou Ry

A. ty. for the info.. it is about 4 1/2 inches long 3 inches wide (measured the lip around it) the cup size is almost 3 inches long and about 2 inches wide depth is 1 inch tried to contact the manufacture and can not get any info there no records for it thanks for the info.. mike Posted Saturday, July 5, 2008 by mm

A. I have been hoping the experts would ID this, but every time I scan by this item, it looks like an ashtray, to me. (And no, I don't smoke......)  Posted Sunday, July 20, 2008 by RJMc

 Q1351 Onion Club PRR Fob  I recently aquired a keystone shaped watch fob in sterling silver with 'PRR' raised in the center along with 'Onion Club' above and below the logo. On the back is the name 'Kornelius Karp' and below is '927 BU' and the date '1938' I have been a long time collector of PRR stuff but have never heard of this club. My guess is that the 927 BU stands for bushels but is it picked or grown? Any help on the history of this fob is welcomed!   [Click on image for larger version.] Posted Wednesday, June 25, 2008 by RLN   Post a Reply  Email a reply