What do the colors on railroad lanterns mean?
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 blue railroad lanterns 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.
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 an old rust lantern?
Fill a plastic container with enough vinegar to submerge the lamp completely. Saturate the solution with salt until it is dissolved to fortify the vinegar and make it work faster. Let the lamp soak for several hours but you should check on it every hour or two until the rust is gone.
What is the most valuable railroad lantern?
– A Union Pacific tall cast blue globe lantern sold for $46,200 in Soulis Auctions’ March 20 sale offering the single-owner, 50-year collection of Railroadiana from Steve “Packrat” Cregut. It is the highest auction record for any railroad lantern to date.
What were old red lanterns used for?
Red lights were used to tell a train to stop. Yellow globes, which often look like amber or orange, were used to mark camp cars or to signal that the train needed to slow to receive a message. Blue lanterns were used to mark cars that were not to be moved.
How do you restore 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.
How do you clean an old Coleman lantern?
Use a tooth brush and spread it over the parts you want to clean, but keep in mind it will ruin paint. Let it set for 15-30 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water. Brush the parts with a brass or very stiff brush to clean them, then use a light oil, Vaseline or WD-40 and 0000 steel wool to shine.
How do I restore my oil lantern?
How to Restore Old Kerosene Lanterns
- Put on latex gloves.
- Pour 1/2 cup of kerosene in a measuring cup.
- Apply liquid auto polish using a clean rag.
- Spray a small amount of lubricant onto the wick roller.
- Clean the glass chimney inside and out with glass cleaner and paper towels.
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.
When did railroads stop using lanterns?
Used from the early 1860s to the mid 1870s, fixed-globe lanterns were functional until a new style of lantern grew in popularity.