Author Topic: Source for a conductor's hat?  (Read 5426 times)

Bill Reidy

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Source for a conductor's hat?
« on: January 02, 2019, 07:06:22 PM »
Since none of the conductor hats at the museum fit my fat head, I'm looking to purchase a new hat and conductor's hat badge to donate to the museum and have available when I conduct.  Does anyone know good source(s) for a hat and badge?

TIA,
Bill
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Ed Lecuyer

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Re: Source for a conductor's hat?
« Reply #1 on: January 02, 2019, 07:52:03 PM »
I purchased my hat from a supplier at the Springfield RR show last year. He does not have a web site, and I no longer have his contact information. That said, he had every size there at Springfield last year, and made sure it was a perfect fit.

The WW&F Gift shop sells WW&F hat badges. I ordered a bunch of the "Chicago Screws" to fasten the badge to the hat, and gave them to the Gift Shop to include with future badges. You will need to drill out the badge slightly to fit the screws.

Now, as far as the REST of the conductor's outfit... I assembled mine (over time) at Goodwill.

-Ed
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Bill Reidy

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Re: Source for a conductor's hat?
« Reply #2 on: January 02, 2019, 08:00:10 PM »
Thanks Ed.  Barring weather or change of plans, I expect to get out to Springfield this year.

Do you remember in which building the seller had tables?
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Ed Lecuyer

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Re: Source for a conductor's hat?
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2019, 08:17:41 PM »
If I recall correctly, he was in the Better Living Center.

A look at the 2019 vendor list and map, I think he is "American Railway Supply", Better Living Center, Booth 52, tables B, C, D.
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Bill Baskerville

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Re: Source for a conductor's hat?
« Reply #4 on: January 03, 2019, 01:12:21 AM »
Try:

http://www.americanrailwaysupplies.com/index.htm

He only has an email link for conductor's hats:

mailto: american@aol.com

Let us know how it works out.
« Last Edit: January 03, 2019, 01:13:53 AM by Bill Baskerville »
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Bill Reidy

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Re: Source for a conductor's hat?
« Reply #5 on: January 03, 2019, 06:42:14 AM »
Thanks Ed and Bill.  Yes -- I did see this website but couldn't find any details for his products.  I will check the company out at Springfield.
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Paul Crabb

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Re: Source for a conductor's hat?
« Reply #6 on: January 05, 2019, 10:43:53 AM »
When I sourced conductor hats for the Old Colony & Newport Rwy I got them from Modern Uniform & Cap Company in Stoughton Ma. This was in the days before web sites and my records have their phone as 617-334-3236 and the caps I got from them look like the one Ed has and those I saw at Springfield several years ago.

Bill Piche

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Re: Source for a conductor's hat?
« Reply #7 on: January 08, 2019, 09:57:34 AM »
When I sourced conductor hats for the Old Colony & Newport Rwy I got them from Modern Uniform & Cap Company in Stoughton Ma. This was in the days before web sites and my records have their phone as 617-334-3236 and the caps I got from them look like the one Ed has and those I saw at Springfield several years ago.

That might be a little out of date. Stoughton has been in the 781 area code for over 20 years now. I know because that's the town that I live in.

I can't say I've found anything for them still existing, though. Probably packed up a long time ago or sold the business to guys like the one that shows up in Springfield.
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Bill Reidy

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Re: Source for a conductor's hat?
« Reply #8 on: February 19, 2019, 06:04:30 PM »
A late (better than never I hope) update...

I did stop by the American Railway Supplies tables in the Better Living Center Building during the West Springfield show last month and purchased a size 7-5/8 hat.  Good conversation with the gentleman at this company, which I recommend.  Then I walked back to our tables in the Young Building and purchased a hat badge with buttons (Thanks Ed, for sourcing the buttons, and to the person who sourced the badges).

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

And thank you to the Amherst Railway Society who sponsors this show.  We, among many northeast railroad museums and historical groups, have greatly benefited from their hard work and generous show proceeds.
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Ed Lecuyer

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Re: Source for a conductor's hat?
« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2019, 06:24:38 PM »
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and to the person who sourced the badges

I was told that person was Allan Fisher - Thanks Allan!
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Bill Reidy

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Re: Source for a conductor's hat?
« Reply #10 on: February 19, 2019, 06:54:50 PM »
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and to the person who sourced the badges

I was told that person was Allan Fisher - Thanks Allan!

Not surprising, based on Allan's long support of our Museum.  Yes -- Thanks Allan!
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