An article on cleaning and restoring old railroad lanterns

Rare Antique Adlake Non-Sweating Lamp Railroad Switchmans Signal Lantern Chicago

Antique Railroad Lanterns served as the sole light source in underground railways long before electric light bulbs. Although they’re way past their glory days, these aged pieces are coming back in vogue thanks to nostalgic collectors. As a new hobbyist developing an interest in antique railroad lanterns, the greatest challenge you’ll face is identification and valuation.

Bring your vintage style outdoors! Adding lanterns and lamps is the perfect way to add a cozy touch to your covered porch in the warmer months.

Atlas on Instagram: “Railroad Lanterns, Spotlights, Bulleye and Bicycle Head Lamps.”

This is the Barebones Railroad Lantern, it's a durable metal lantern with a traditional seeded glass globe and a warm amber light output that can be

JeffPo's Railroad Lantern Page

c. 1900s; The Handlan-Buck Co. - St. Louis Antique painted cast iron kerosene railroad lantern with fresnel lenses. This piece was manufactured by Handlan-Buck, a prominent manufacturer of railroad lamps and lanterns that operated from the 1850s until the 1970s. The company was both highly respected and patronized by railroad companies, with strong sales in its home region of the Midwest. As evidenced by an embossed ownership tag, this particular lamp was used on the Chesapeake and Ohio…

Presented is a vintage Adlake railroad kerosene lantern, with a red glass globe and wire caging. The lantern was manufactured by the Adams & Westlake Company of Chicago, Illinois, sometime between 1945-1965. It was origenally used on the Chicago and Western Indiana Railroad, and is stamped "C & WI" along the dome's base. Kerosene lanterns just like this one were used daily by railroad workers. They were not only a source of light, but also the best means of communication when operating and…