ARM Lantern displays
The Museum's collection of railroad lanterns span many different railroads and 100 years of history. Lanterns were used by railroad workers to communicate various signals at night when other methods were unusable. A Switchman could "talk" directly to the Engineer to move the train as necessary. Lanterns also had different colored glass to indicate different meaning. Typical colors used were Clear, Red, Green, Amber, Blue. Click on the links below to see some of our collection.
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe RR
Manufactured by the Adams & Westlake Company. The bottom of the oil pot holder is stamped "Adlake Kero 3-41". Top is stamped "A.T. & S.F." with a patent date of 1921-1923. Globe is glear glass with "A.T. & S.F.Ry" cast into side.
Baltimore & Ohio RR
Manufactured by the Adams & Westlake Company. The top rim is stamped "B. & O. RR" with a patent date of May 28, 1895. Globe is clear glass with "B & O RR" cast into the side.

Maricopa & Phoenix & Salt River Valley RR
Manufactured by the Adams & Westlake Company. Top has a placard soldered to the top that is stamped "M&P&S.R.V. RR". Has many coats of paint, so it is impossible to identify any smaller stampings. Two clear lenses. Converted to electric by the Southern Pacific RR.
Southern Pacific RR
Switch lamp manufactured by Adlake. Designed to be placed on top of the switch stand to indicate the direction of the switch points at night.

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