M&StL Lantern

Could give me any info on this item? Such as year, what it is called, value, & etc. Any information would be appreciated. It is stamped M & ST L RR. It has two clear glass lenses on the outside; and there is a brass lever on each side and when you flip this lever it turns the lenses to blue or half blue. Therefore, it can be all blue, half blue & half clear glass, or all clear glass; and is done without opening the top cover. It is electric. I am not ready to sell it at this time but, was just wanting to get some info on it. If you do not know could you tell me someone who would know some info about this item? Thank you, Bruce lkj98@msn.com

REPLIES RECEIVED

1. If you will look at this picture, (4-4-0 locomotive) you will find a round thingy between the sand dome and the steam dome. It was a turbo-electric generator and the picture was taken in 1919. You will also notice the lights on each side of the smoke box front which are similar to yours. But these would have had white and green lens as I explained in my previous note.

2. I can't figure this one out, blue and white are not normal colors for this kind of lantern. Blue was used by repair crews to indicate that a car or engine should be moved or coupled into because men would be working around it. The shape looks like a locomotive class lamp but the lenses would be white to indicate an extra train or green to indicate a following section of the same train. Caboose lamps also were made the same way but had 1 red and 3 green lenses. The red lens would be shown to the rear unless the train was in a siding and then green would show to the rear. M&StL was the Minneapolis & St Louis RR. Electric lanterns began to be used in the teens. The M&StL was absorbed into the Chicago & North Western around 1960.

3. Hi - My understanding is that any blue flag or blue light is an indication that the track ahead is out of service due to men working. Some examples of out of service track would be where track work is being done, something is fouling the track, an accident. Where it's electric: 1/ Was it converted from a kerosene burner ? 2/ Is it 12 volts, where a car battery would keep the lamp lighted overnight ? The ability of the lamp to be changed from clear to a blue lens tells me that the lamp would display clear when people are working on the track (a portable light), then changing to the blue lens means that the lamp is left overnight between the rails and set to indicate track out of service. Value $200 to 300 where it is marked M&SL RR.

4. Hi Bruce That lantern (?) you have the ad about. Awful interesting piece. I don't know if I can be of any help or not as to your questions. But being brass I would "guess" no newer than 1920s. You may have a real keeper, because tons of brass hardware, mine and RR, got converted into cartage casings during WW2. Blue is a color used to "alert" so to speak. G/Y/R being taken in signaling. I know there a system of blue flashing lights used for maintenance and signal workers to inform them of approaching trains. I also understand a blue lantern would be used by train crews to inform trains approaching on adjacent tracks if they were stopped looking for a hot journal box etc. The moving train to give a little bell and or whistle so no one steps out from between cars or something. Radio and radio dispatch has made that a part of the past. Also if you could get your hands on some inventory lists. RR inventoried everything. Maybe a book of rules also would be helpful figuring out its specific use. Probably any road would have the reference to use of blue lights as the rules are on federal guidelines. There's a lot of stuff like that on line. Let me know what you learn. Larry

5. The fact that the colors are changeable further leads me to believe my guess at its intended use to be. If not correct at least in the ball park. I wont to have you clarify something. Because the picture shown appears the blue (color signal) casts one way. Wile a illuminating light casts at right angles. If that was the case you could almost imagine a conductor using such a light to inspect his train. Simultaneously maintaining some adjacent track protection for himself. I know for a fact a blue light is used as a "proceed on standing instruction signal, but something's up" type thing. You really have a KEEPER in my opinion. Because the only blue lantern I've seen were single globe. And rare enough at that.

6. I believe it would bring $400.00 to $500.00 especially being marked M&StL. It is a very rare lantern. If you put it up for sale let me know. Wayne

7. Hello Bruce I did some checking. "Blue lantern displayed, men working on or under train that must not move." Signalmen "Blue lights and sirens at control points"

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