Not sure I'm asking this in the right Forum category, but...
In a recent posting elsewhere on the Forum I saw amazing workmanship in the interior detailing of a streamlined O scale dining car. Not the first time I've seen this sort of talent among forumites, mind you. But this artisan had created lighted candles, a 'tour de force' IMHO!, which represented a live flame or electric lamp, I'd imagine.
But this made me wonder... Were table candles...live flame or electric...a common practice in 1:1 dining cars, particularly of the regularly scheduled fleets of passenger trains, especially in the last century??
My own memories/experience in the late 40's, early 50's of train travel was on the B&O, C&O, CB&Q, NYC. But, whereas I well remember a vase with a flower as a frequent enhancement of the dining table, I can't recall a candle in any form. Other tall table items I remember would be a carafe of spring water or small pot of hot tea water. The B&O was really extravagant, in my youthful mind, offering 'finger bowls' of water for that meal-ending complement to the linen napkin! But, I can't remember a single candle...as WAS often gracing the home or local restaurant tables.
Thinking about it, I suppose there may have been several reasons...beyond the operating costs thereof: Potential fire hazard, cleaning issues (wax drippings are a real nuisance anywhere!), durability (fresh candle for each seating???), children, etc., etc.. An electrified version might be a nuisance of a different sort if it required a plug-in cord. During peak service hours, the dining car attendants might not appreciate having to deal with an electric candle in preparing the table setting for each subsequent patron/group.
Finally, I took some time to go through my own modest library of railroad books to search out photos or artists renderings of dining car interiors...B&O, ATSF, CB&Q, DRGW, mainly Nary a table candle. OTOH, there were several photos that showed wall-mounted sconces adjacent to the tables, mostly in the early 20th century ('heavyweight') era of 1st class railroading. I'm quite sure the wall sconces were electric by then.
So, what say ye, more knowledgeable?? Table candles, yes? Table candles, no? And if 'yes', what railroads were so extravagant??
I must admit the aforementioned 1:48 creation was awesome. It seemed appropriate. But was it really authentic??
Just wondering.
KD
Speaking of table details, were I to attempt something of that order, I'd take a swing at replicating a dining car experience as a child while riding the CB&Q Morning Zephyr from Chicago to LaCrosse, WI. Seated at a table near us on one of our annual trips were 4 nuns...all sipping away at chocolate milkshakes!! What made it all the more jaw-dropping to this kid was their habits...their bandeaus were 
