W.W.&F. Discussion Forum

WW&F Railway Museum Discussion => Museum Discussion => Topic started by: Stephen Hussar on October 31, 2010, 07:28:53 AM

Title: What is it? (part 2)
Post by: Stephen Hussar on October 31, 2010, 07:28:53 AM
Here's an unusual lantern...can anyone guess what it is, and where it came from?  If this an easy one for you, hold off so others have a chance to log on and see it. More photos and the answer to follow!

(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/342468/kerosenelantern.jpg)
Title: Re: What is it? (part 2)
Post by: Mike Fox on October 31, 2010, 05:53:35 PM
Interesting. Is there some glass missing?
Title: Re: What is it? (part 2)
Post by: Stephen Hussar on October 31, 2010, 07:02:46 PM
No, it's just really clean Mike!

(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/342468/cuhurricaneglass_sm.jpg)
Title: Re: What is it? (part 2)
Post by: Robert Hale on November 01, 2010, 12:02:12 PM
Whale oil or paraffin?
Title: Re: What is it? (part 2)
Post by: Glenn Christensen on November 01, 2010, 05:49:34 PM
Hi Stephen,

It looks like an exterior depot lantern, at least similar to the one that used to hang on the North Bridgton station.


Best Regards,
Glenn
Title: Re: What is it? (part 2)
Post by: Stewart "Start" Rhine on November 01, 2010, 05:56:02 PM
Robert,  Lanterns that burned whale oil had round wicks in the two-port burner font.  The pot was made of glass because whale oil would eat through the tin.  Whale oil went out of use around 1895 when coal oil was introduced.  Railroads used tall globe lanterns for both whale oil and coal oil because it gave a better draft which gave a brighter flame.  Kerosene replaced coal oil around WWI and railroads switched to the newer short globe hand lanterns that used less fuel.  The burner type was not changed because the same type burner is used for coal oil or kero.  The lantern shown has a glass pot with a flat wick coal oil/kero burner.  The fuel looks clear so it's probably burning parafin oil.
Title: Re: What is it? (part 2)
Post by: Craig "Red" Heun on November 01, 2010, 06:25:45 PM
my high school metal shop project?

just kidding
Title: Re: What is it? (part 2)
Post by: Stephen Hussar on November 01, 2010, 06:42:30 PM
We're getting warmer though, eh Stewart?!  8)
Title: Re: What is it? (part 2)
Post by: Stewart "Start" Rhine on November 02, 2010, 09:08:14 AM
Glenn is on the right track ...
Title: Re: What is it? (part 2)
Post by: James Patten on November 02, 2010, 11:04:09 AM
Well since this is in the "Museum Discussion" area I'm guessing it has something to do with the WW&F.  So my guess is that it's a depot lantern that hung in Wiscasset station.
Title: Re: What is it? (part 2)
Post by: Stephen Hussar on November 02, 2010, 03:24:45 PM
Definitely a station lamp...

(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/342468/lanterntopsm.jpg)

(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/342468/Palermostationfrontsm.jpg)
Title: Re: What is it? (part 2)
Post by: Glenn Christensen on November 02, 2010, 05:01:05 PM
HIGHLY cool!
Title: Re: What is it? (part 2)
Post by: Stewart "Start" Rhine on November 02, 2010, 05:57:32 PM
When Carson Peck bought the WW&F new hand lanterns were purchased from the Dietz Company in New York.  Other lanterns that came from the same manufacturer were post lamps and station lanterns.  The station lantern pictured came from am old house in the Windsor area and is believed to have been used on the station at Palermo.  The Moody photo shows what could be the same lantern or the same model on the Palermo station in 1934.
Title: Re: What is it? (part 2)
Post by: Craig "Red" Heun on November 02, 2010, 08:31:47 PM
that's very cool

nice find
Title: Re: What is it? (part 2)
Post by: Pete "Cosmo" Barrington on November 03, 2010, 12:16:39 AM
Wow...
that's almost eerie, in a very  cool way! ;D
Title: Re: What is it? (part 2)
Post by: John Kokas on November 03, 2010, 08:39:16 AM
Just wondering out loud but could this be something that could be reproduced and sold?  I'd love to have a set or two for my back deck area.  Hmmmmm...
Title: Re: What is it? (part 2)
Post by: Stewart "Start" Rhine on November 04, 2010, 04:54:23 PM
A tin shop could make the frame, chimney top, and reflector.  They could make a tin pot as well.  The job could be done at a shop like the one at Old Sturbridge Village in MA.  Then you'd have to get the glass sides and get an oil font with a glass chimney.  There's probably a company that makes old fashioned lanterns although they may be the electric version.
Title: Re: What is it? (part 2)
Post by: John McNamara on November 04, 2010, 05:09:27 PM
Try:

http://www.lehmans.com/store/Lamps_Lights___Lanterns___Dietz___Black_Dietz_Decorative_Oil_Lantern___37455?Args= (http://www.lehmans.com/store/Lamps_Lights___Lanterns___Dietz___Black_Dietz_Decorative_Oil_Lantern___37455?Args=)

Disclaimer: I have purchased from Lehman Hardware, but have no financial interest :)

-John
Title: Re: What is it? (part 2)
Post by: Galo J. Hernandez 3rd on November 09, 2010, 11:50:41 PM
Its a Dietz Climax station lantern as described in the w.t.kirkman website,@ www.lanternnet.com this site is great for most all of Dietz lanterns,history and specks and has numerous links such as restoration,globes,parts and pieces. i saw a reproduction of this lamp in the website in the e=store box on the upper left hand corner of the homepage,scroll down at the offerings and you shall see the W.T.Kirkman Climax station lantern copy of the Dietz lantern,30# of black painted galvanized steel,priced at 299.99
Title: Re: What is it? (part 2)
Post by: Stewart "Start" Rhine on November 10, 2010, 08:50:39 AM
Hi Galo,  Good to see you on the forum.  Thanks for the link, great site.  I see they make reproduction ceiling lamps for historic railroad cars.  They could make lamps for coach 3 if we draw up specs. 

Stewart   
Title: Re: What is it? (part 2)
Post by: Galo J. Hernandez 3rd on November 10, 2010, 07:22:46 PM
That site is very detail oriented as they even carry a selection of rust out parts like the tubular draft elbows on the Dietz pioneer street lanterns, there is also a link on how to seal fuel tanks with pinholes in them or in the historic section tell when a particular lamp was made, a detail change and color changes and the years they were done,the beacon lantern and the dash lantern i brought in during spring workweek were restored based on the proper color information using brushed on enamels as spray painting was not invented and brushed paint is thicker and last a lot longer and has more gloss retention that thin spray paint. I am currently restoring a brass 1894 double student lamp and will post a picture as soon as i find out how to get it done,as you can see, i am new to these type of forums.Im so late with this technology i joined Facebook 3 weeks ago to keep in touch with family members that communicate in that format,Gman.
Title: Re: What is it? (part 2)
Post by: Dale Reynolds on November 15, 2010, 04:15:34 PM
hey john, thanks for the link to lehmann's hardware. when i saw the price of $34.95 for the lantern, i knew it was going to be chinzy but i ordered a couple anyway, they arrived today and i was right, real light and flimsy. and smaller than the original on the depot looks, at 10" tall with the box 5" square. but a good value at such a low price. if i get too much static for them, my wife who called them 'cute' wants them for the back porch LOL.... dale
Title: Re: What is it? (part 2)
Post by: John McNamara on November 15, 2010, 04:34:10 PM
Dale,
Thank you for the thank you. ;)
-John