Old train lantern question.?

Question

I was just given a lantern and told it was used on the trains. (I know enough about rail history to believe this is so.) It's one of those that would be used to signal all clear, etc to the engineer by the track personel/ conductor.

It is round (cylyindrical), battery operated and has two "flashlight" lamps on the bottom. My question is: It does not have the battery. Does any one know what kind / name of battery it took so I can look for one? It would be about the same size as the big square 6V batteries used in flashlights but obviously would be round.

Thanks to all who answer.

Answer 1

Wow, I have seen countless old RR lanterns and they all took a 6 volt square battery or some compact ones took 4 "D" cells in a special holder.

Most of the older switchman's lanterns had a round body, usually tin plated so it was shiny and rust resistant and the lid screwed off. The batteries were square 6V and they just dropped into the body of the lantern, it did not matter which way they the rotated as one of the wire terminals was in the center and contact point for the other one was a full circle so if the battery turned a bit all it did was polish up the contact point. Without seeing your lantern I am guessing that is how it works.

One of the bulbs will be situated in a small dish shaped reflector to throw a more focused beam and th other one probably is set out just a bit so that it throws a flood of light for sitting on a desk usually in a caboose and doing paperwork.

If it really takes a round one I dont have a clue, sorry, perhpas go direct to Everready, they have provided all sorts of RR batteries since batteries were in use.

Good Luck with it, sounds like a very neat old peice of memorabilia.

Answer 2

You' described a "switchman" lantern,they are 6volt square battery,with two bulbs that s***w in at reflector end of the light,one being close to the reflector and one slightly farther away.The battery will have two spiral wires in the end,instead of posts These were /are used for signaling the engineer as to which way you (the switchman) want the train to move,and also the speed you wanted it to move,when switching cars in a "cut".....George