Is this a "railroad candle" ?

AceOGR Forum Member

A train friend (and retired career trainman) had a box full of these things and gave me one. He described it as "emergency lighting". He has Alzheimer's and couldn't explain it to me any further than that. This guy has loads of railroad and model railroad artifacts.

It has a fitting on the "handle" that appears intended to fit onto a mounting bracket. The cylinder contains candle wax, with a spring underneath it. There is a slot for a wick out the top but the wick was probably eaten off by mice. I presume a lantern glass is intended to fit on the top, around the wick.

So the question is, was this item used for a railroad application, and how long ago?

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5/20/149:41 PM

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DMASSOOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

See here. Pullman Train Candle Light

5/20/149:46 PM

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AceOGR Forum Member

Originally Posted by DMASSO:

See here. Pullman Train Candle Light

Selling 2 Pullman train lights. Both have springs that push up candles as they burn. One sconce is a brown color while the other gray. They are about 12 inches in length. I do not know if the glass is original or not. I do not have wall brackets. I one has a maker on it but can only make out Chicago. I have one other listed. If you have any questions please ask and thanks for looking.

[from Ebay link]

That's it !!! Thanks very much for the lead !!!

5/21/1412:01 AM

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David JohnstonOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I do not think these have anything to do with Pullman. They were used in cabooses and maintenance cars. I think they were made by Adlake. They may have been used into the early 1970s, maybe later on short lines.

5/21/141:50 AM

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AceOGR Forum Member

Originally Posted by David Johnston:

Thank You, that sounds more plausible. Can't assume that Ebay people know what they are selling. The item I have looks relatively new.

5/21/147:31 PM