Pennsylvania Railroad Amspear Model 1925 Lantern
I come from a long line of railroad people. Grandfather and Uncle worked for Union Switch & Signal and my Mom worked for Pennsylvania Railroad.
My Dad was a crazy rail-fan photographer and collector. He spent his retirement years seeking good vantage points and waiting for trains with his camera set.
Pennsylvania Railroad was the largest of the trunkline railroads that connected the East Coast of the United States with the interior.
It was chartered in 1846 by the Pennsylvania legislature. Its first passenger train ran in 1848 between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
This kerosene hand lantern was manufactured by the Manufacturing Company of New York, New York during the early 20th century.
Before the advent of portable two way radios train crews communicated via hand signals during the day, and lantern signals during periods of low visibility or at night.