help identify these lenses

I have to wonder if they aren't old cab signal or Automatic Train Control cab displays.

Any thoughts on how to look them up?

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Originally posted by Glenn Fresch:
I have to wonder if they aren't old cab signal or Automatic Train Control cab displays.

I'm going to say they're cab-signal displays, though I'm not sure which RR they're from. The construction is exactly like the ones I've seen on PRR/PC/Conrail engines, but they appear to have colored lenses instead of PRR-style position-light indications. The aspects from top to bottom (left to right in the pic) would be Clear (green), Approach Medium(yellow over green), Approach(yellow), and Restricting(red).

Thanks! A quick google search for "locomotive cab sigal box" popped up 2 dead on hits!

My guess would be that they are from the PRR. They came from a small town auction in the mountains of Pa.He is always getting neat stuff and I told him to call me from now on if he sees aything that looks train related.


Any idea on a time frame that these could be from?

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Any idea on a time frame that these could be from?

30's-40's?

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Originally posted by Kent Loudon:

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Any idea on a time frame that these could be from?

30's-40's?

More like 1960s or 1970s from the interior cab photo posted above.

Not PRR.

Up to the the CR split cab signal equipped units had position light cab signal trees. Those are color light cab signals. Green for clear at the top. Yellow over green for Approach Medium, yellow for Approach, and red on the bottom for Restricting. It is though a US&S housing so probably came from a railroad with color light wayside signals. RF&P? CNJ? DL&W?

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Originally posted by Hot Water:

quote:

Originally posted by Kent Loudon:

quote:

Any idea on a time frame that these could be from?

30's-40's?

More like 1960s or 1970s from the interior cab photo posted above.

This type of cab signal indicator was also used on PRR steam locos and electric locos in the 1930s and onward. They displayed the aspects of the position light signal ahead and can be seen sometimes in PRR cab photos and videos. PRR diesel locos likely got them as well, from white-lined steam being retired.

The use of cast aluminum also dates these units to that period. Cast aluminum was quite popular in the later 1930s for a great many things, even for O gauge/scale model train car kits!

As these indicators don't physically wear out (other than burnt out light bulbs and maybe cracked or broken lenses), they no doubt could be re-installed on newer locos.

A more up-to-date signal indicator casing might be made of stamped steel or by now if still in use, injection molded plastic.

Ed Bommer

That would be awesome if they are from steam locos in the 30s and 40s

quote:

Originally posted by Ed Bommer:
[As these indicators don't physically wear out (other than burnt out light bulbs and maybe cracked or broken lenses), they no doubt could be re-installed on newer locos.

A more up-to-date signal indicator casing might be made of stamped steel or by now if still in use, injection molded plastic.

Ed Bommer

I've seen ones just like that on 'newer' units such as SD40-2's, so they may have been re-used through the years. I can't see a railroad buying new ones if they didn't HAVE to!

As for the newer locomotives, I think the displays in the wide-cab units I was on were made of plastic as you said. I remember them being a black housing, with the individual indications (position-light) having openings molded in instead of lenses like the older style.