The Railroad Lanterns Page

About Antique Railroad Lanterns

[Courtesy Railroadiana Online]: Railroad lanterns are basically a metal "cage" with a translucent globe protecting a light source. They were used for relaying signals and inspecting trains at night. Collectors look for earlier lanterns that burned kerosene, signal oil, or other types of fuel. Most are "trainmen's lanterns" which were used by railroad crew members, but some are "conductors' lanterns" used in passenger service and "inspectors' lanterns" used for inspecting trains in terminals and yards. Any lantern or globe with a railroad marking is especially valued.

About Railroadiana

The railroads built America: up through WWII they were the dominant form of transport, with hundreds of major ‘roads’ hauling passengers and freight. The legacy of those days lives on as railroadiana: from paper (like calendars, postcards, photos and passes), to dining car collectibles like china and silver, to hardware like locks and badges and lanterns.