Object Details
maker
Handlan Manufacturing Co.
Description
This railroad hand-signal kerosene lantern was manufactured by the Handlan Manufacturing Company of St. Louis, Missouri around 1930–1940. The lamp was used on the Eastern Shore (Maryland) Lines of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The lamp has a metal body, a blue glass globe encircled by protected metal wire, and a meal handle and base. The top of the lamp is inscribed with the Handlan logo and the text “HANDLAN/ST. LOUIS USA.”
Before the advent of portable two way radios, train crews communicated via hand signals during the day, and lantern signals during periods of low visibility or at night. 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.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
William E. Geoghegan
ID Number
TR.335440
catalog number
335440
accession number
321691
Object Name
lantern, hand signal
Measurements
overall: 13 7/8 in x 8 1/4 in x 6 5/8 in; 35.2425 cm x 20.955 cm x 16.8275 cm
See more items in
Work and Industry: Transportation, Railroad
Communications
Work
Transportation
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Subject
Railroads
Railroad Stations
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_841602