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As part of the hobby, I enjoy collecting a wide variety of memorabilia. Materials such as timetables, rulebooks and manuals are very educational and fun to hunt for as I'm constantly surprised by the things I find. I feel as though I'm a caretaker for the items I'm lucky enough to acquire. They really help to tell the story of railroading.

 

Here's a rulebook currently in my collection:

    

chessi 001

 

This is Chessie System Form CDT-29 with an effective date of April 27, 1969 reprinted June 1977. Lettered for C&O/B&O, the book sets forth rules governing the operations of both railroads, not including lines in Canada. Mr. C.V. Cowan was V.P. of Operations at the time.

 

I'd be interested in hearing from others who have railroadiana of any type in their collections. Pictures of your items would be great if you can manage it.

 

Regards,

 

Bob 

 

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It is a replica but 1 to 1 scale. I built it using plans, photos and old wooden car builder guides. I had the structural wood milled from logs. I work on it for two weeks in the summer or so a year for the last 7 years. It's not quite done. I built it on the old ROW it ran on in the Adirondacks 97 years ago. 
Here is a link to pics on my webpage.
http://www.andyestep.com/caboose.html
Last edited by Silver Lake

Speaking of railroadiana.

 

Did anyone see the article in the Philadelphia Enquirer about the post office finally delivering a 1950 PRR Railroad Calender to the news paper in Scranton PA. Seems it was addressed to the editor who is deceased.

 

Only took them 62 years to deliver it. Guess the sender did not put the right amount of postage on the mailing tube.

I collect railroadiana relating to the Atlantic Coast Line, Seaboard Air Line and Southern Railway. My main interest is the ACL, and I have lanterns, over 100 public and employee timetables, rule books, menus, china and other miscellaneous paperwork. I have much of the same for the SAL and Southern as well. I use these items to develop railroad characters at the NC Transportation Museum to give guided tours or special programs. My latest character is a RPO clerk, complete with grip box and badge.

A paper collection related to the interurban era. I have about 100 CNS&M forms documents etc, along with a collection of interurban postcards, pamphlets, timetables, tickets etc. probably the rarest thing I have is a large format old Niles Car Co catalog..of available interurban designs. I also have a PRR owned \framed Griff Teller calendar scene..etc

Railroadiana stuff; let's see.  Lanterns, switch keys, rule books, timetables, maps, tariffs, uniform insignia, insulators, the usual.  I have a lot of PRR stuff that came from a friend of my father's who was a PRR conductor.  He had hired out around 1940 and didn't appear to have ever thrown anything away.

 

My wife's great, great grandfather was a tower operator on the Big Four in Hamilton, OH in the teens and I have his old lantern along with 3 globes, one clear with no logo and a red and a clear, both with the Big Four initials.

 

When I do dig stuff out and look at it, I tend to spend more time on the maps and tariffs than anything else.  I was fortunate to have been working for a large rail shipper at the time of rail deregulation in 1980 and was able to retrieve quite a few boxes of what had become useless tariffs; all stuff that was being thrown out.  The mileage tariffs are the most fascinating to look through and normally include a system map for the issuing railroad on the back cover.  Some of the ones I rescued from the trash back in the early '80's carried mail department stamps from the 1920's.

 

Curt

One of the things I collect are old (1870s-1930s) stereoview cards. I focus on railroad, Christmas, children, and bathing beach subjects. I have some nice train views from the early 1900s, and NYC Elevated views from the turn of the last century. The 3-D images make these photos more realistic, although they are not in color.

I also collect "linen" era postcards (1930-1950). For some reason, the buses interest me more than the trains (maybe because Streamlined Train cards are very common).

I've never really collected Railroadiana items.  My dad's best friend and our next door neighbor while growing up worked for Southern Pacific for 42 years.  His name is Elmer Wright.  At one time he was the Yard Master for the SP Bayshore Yard in San Francisco.  He is now in his 80's.  He just recently gave me the following personal SP items:

Brass Switch Keys

Lantern

Railroad Watch Certification Card

SP Rules and Regs Manual

Safe Work Practices Manual

SP Gear Bag - Given out as a safety award

Switch Man ID Card

Yard Master ID Card

They're all on display in my layout room.

Matt

SP Brass Switch Keys

SP Lantern

SP Railroad Watch Certification Card

SP Rules and Regs

SP Safe Work Practices Manual

SP Gear Bag-2

SP Switch Man ID Card

SP Yard Master ID Card

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Since the E7 manual was mentioned above, here's one in my collection:

 

e7 001

 

 

e7 003

 

Note the inclusion of the PRR keystone on the cover. During the early years of dieselization, some manuals were published in railroad specific editions. My example was issued upon delivery to the Pennsy of the 5900 and 5901, the first two E7s purchased by the railroad. In fact, the title page references these two unit numbers specifically and the illustration of the 5900 and 5901 pictured above is printed on Page 2.

 

This is Manual No. 2300 with a revision date of January 1, 1946.

 

Bob        

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Lots of stuff here including a control stand from an SD24 and various locomotive maintenance and operating manuals. Eleven volumes of Marshall Kirkman's "Science of Railways" books circa 1900. EMD 645 cylinder head cut in half with valves and fuel injector. Broken EMD engine parts. GE FDL engine camshaft section. A couple cast builders' plates from Australian railway carriages. Some Trains magazines back to 1948. Misc timetables and rulebooks. A few date nails from ties. A spike puller. And a few track ties and rails and spikes and tieplates and brake shoes and brake hoses and busted knuckles and cast ROW signs ...

Last edited by Ace

My uncle in Michigan worked for Conrail (he now works under Norfolk Southern), so I have quite a bit of Conrail stuff, including:

 

-An employee hat

-Safety glasses

-Binder of operations manuals

-Coffee Mug

-Two lanterns: one regular and one "blue signal"

-I guess my O gauge GP38 could be considered part of this category, as he received it as an award from Conrail's safety program (and then I got it for Christmas). This was my first ever piece of O gauge equipment.

 

I also have plenty of other stuff, including several Amtrak timetables, brochures from train shows, calendars, newspaper clippings, the newspaper insert for Austin's "Capital MetroRail" service (still haven't been on it yet), Union Pacific map, Southern Pacific Timetable, handbook on oil-fired steam locomotives, some track parts, etc.

 

And... I have a genuine 1937 copy of Portraits of the Iron Horse. I don't know if it counts, but it's illustrated by the man responsible for the streamlined Hiawatha and Royal Blue locomotives: Otto Kuhler. No modern-day book can immerse you in the age of big steam and early streamliners like this one.

 

Aaron

 

I only have a few things, but what I do have mainly consists of Lehigh Valley Railroad stuff, from the part of the line between Slatington and Lehigh Gap. My Grandpa walks along the trail that they made out of this line, and he has brought me many spikes (including one with numbers on top). He also brought my two nails which he pulled out of ties. I know nothing about them. The one on the left has the letters "P", the center indent, then a "k". The other one has the number 20 on it. Any ideas?

 

IMG_2193

 

I also have a Lehigh Valley Railroad bond from 1950. The funny thing is even though my Grandpa lives right across the street from the old Lehigh Valley mainline, and I live about 3 miles from it, I found this while on vacation in Maryland!

 

IMG_1440

 

These I just bought last Friday, along with some Lionel ads and a bunch of car ads. If anyone has more information on these, I would appreciate that as well.

 

IMG_2190

 

 

IMG_2191

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The nail with the PK on it is called a PK nail named after the Parker-Kalon Company. The nails were used for surveying to mark a precise location.

 

Your other nail with the 20 on it is a tie date nail. These were installed in new railroad ties. The number indicates the year of install, in this case 1920. Many different forms of tie preservation were being experimented with early on so they would mark the ties with the nails and keep a log of how long they lasted and how well they held up.

 

Your last two items appear to be magazine advertisements for the American Locomotive Co. (Alco) and the Association of American Railroads.

Last edited by NJCJOE
Originally Posted by NJCJOE:

The nail with the PK on it is called a PK nail named after the Parker-Kalon Company. The nail were used for surveying to mark a precise location.

 

Your other nail with the 20 on it is a tie date nail. These were installed in new railroad ties. The number indicates the year of install, in this case 1920. Many different forms of tie preservation was being experimented with early on so the would mark the ties with the nails and keep a log of how long they lasted and how well they held up.

 

Your last two items appear to be magazine advertisements for the American Locomotive Co. (Alco) and the Association of American Railroads.

Thank you for the information!

I've got a couple long spout oil cans (Santa Fe and Monon), a couple kero lanterns (Santa Fe & NYC), a couple "tallow pots" (D&RGW and UP) a Hamilton 992 pocket watch, and several builder's plates. My bell is one of my favorite items, from a Baldwin NP 0-6-0:

 

 

I sort of specialize in railroad items from the Disneyland Railroad. Here's a pretty complete collection of all the various builder's plates on the engines and equipment (some original, some poured from the same patterns that the real engines got their plates from, and some repro), along with a selection of tickets:

 

 

I even have a hand-striped and numbered section of one of the engine's tenders:

 

 

Additionally, I have about 50 textbooks on railroading (not the general interest kind you find in bookstores--these are catechisms and correspondence school textbooks from the 1890s through the 1940s), along with loads of photos and blueprints.

 

 

 

 

Following up on the above posts regarding date nails, here's an informative site discussing anything and everything pertaining to date nails:

 

http://facstaff.uindy.edu/~oaks/DateNailInfo.htm

 

I've got two bags full of Erie Railroad date nails which have been stashed under the layout for eons. This reminds me I should probably get them out and go through them one of these days.

 

Bob   

 

 

I have a small collection of stuff that I have picked up or was given to me. Things such as timetables, rule books, custom seals, passes, glass/tableware, soap, matchbooks, etc. A few of the more interesting items are shown below: an ashtray from the Super Chief's 1st class lounge in the lower level of the dome car (how many famous folks could have used this?), a perfume sample (Lanvin's Mysin) given to 1st class passengers on the 20th Century Limited - this one came from my grandmother who rode it in the 1960's. I've only seen one other of these ever. Lastly, a postcard for indicating coal shipments from Rosyln, WA.

 

Peter

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I have just a few things... My grandfathers pocketwatch with all the calibration dates scribed in the back of the case, several NYC lanterns (red and clear), NYC timetables, crossbucks, crossing lights, spouted oil can, the original blueprints for the NYC yard here in Utica (20' or so), NYC hard hat, dinner plates from the Mercury (I think), coffee cup and saucer from the Century, amd stories; lots of stories (remind me to tell you the one about my grandfather burning a switch and diving out of the way of an early 20th Century's on-rushing Hudson in the pitch black night).


Thanks, Mario

Following up on smd4 Steve's post, I, too, own a number of railroad textbooks. Specifically, I have six titles published by the International Textbook Company of Scranton, PA. The volumes I have are as follows:

 

- ITC #506...Firing of Locomotives (Pub. 1928)

- ITC #511C...Locomotive Breakdowns and Appliances (Pub. 1943)

- ITC #514B...Compressors and Brake Equipments (Pub. 1935)

- ITC #530...Automatic Train Control (Pub. 1930)

- ITC #644...Diesel Locomotive Operation (Pub. 1946)

- ITC #645...No. 8 EL Diesel Brake Equipment (Pub. 1947)

 

The books have black hardcovers with gold lettering on the spine. They are profusely illustrated and were issued to provide employees with detailed instruction in the execution of their respective crafts. This is serious "nuts and bolts" railroad reading.

    

i.t.c 001

 

 

i.t.c 002

 

 

i.t.c 003

 

I acquired these books from the son of a retired UP Engineman who had passed on. He told me his father held them in high regard and referred to them often.

 

Bob   

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Originally Posted by NJCJOE:

The nail with the PK on it is called a PK nail named after the Parker-Kalon Company. The nails were used for surveying to mark a precise location.

 

Your other nail with the 20 on it is a tie date nail. These were installed in new railroad ties. The number indicates the year of install, in this case 1920. Many different forms of tie preservation was being experimented with early on so they would mark the ties with the nails and keep a log of how long they lasted and how well they held up.

 

Your last two items appear to be magazine advertisements for the American Locomotive Co. (Alco) and the Association of American Railroads.


The Parker-Kalon company commissioned one of the rarest Lionel postwar 6464 boxcar variants. It was molded in gray and had decals which said "Another carload of Parker-Kalon screws" 

Given the widespread use of more modern appliances by that point, it may seem hard to believe but kerosene hand held lanterns were indeed still in use on Penn Central. Also, PC had a mail order operation via which memorabilia could be purchased by the public. Laterns were among the items offered for sale.

 

Bob   

Originally Posted by CNJ 3676:

Following up on smd4 Steve's post, I, too, own a number of railroad textbooks. Specifically, I have six titles published by the International Textbook Company of Scranton, PA...The books have black hardcovers with gold lettering on the spine. They are profusely illustrated and were issued to provide employees with detailed instruction in the execution of their respective crafts.

Bob, the ICS books are indeed great books--and yes, we actually still refer to them quite a bit. However, they weren't really "issued" to employees by the railroad. Instead, they were part of a correspondence course you would take if you wanted to become a railroader. These were textbooks you would read before taking a test on the subject, prior to "hiring on." Of course, because of their info, many were kept in railroaders' libraries after they became employees.

 

One of the prototype magazines had a lengthy feature aboutthe International Correspondence Schools courses a year or two ago.

Hi, Steve.

 

Thank you very much for the additional information regarding the books and courses. I had heard of these books but hadn't seen a copy for myself. In speaking with the gentleman and after already having purchased a few diesel operating manuals from him, I mentioned I like detailed, "hands on" information and he recommended these books to me. My only regret was not purchasing all the volumes he had but I had already spent a bunch and was running a bit low on available funds so I chose the six titles which looked most interesting to me.

 

Thanks again,

 

Bob      

Originally Posted by CNJ 3676:

Hi, Steve.

 

Thank you very much for the additional information regarding the books and courses. I had heard of these books but hadn't seen a copy for myself. In speaking with the gentleman and after already having purchased a few diesel operating manuals from him, I mentioned I like detailed, "hands on" information and he recommended these books to me. My only regret was not purchasing all the volumes he had but I had already spent a bunch and was running a bit low on available funds so I chose the six titles which looked most interesting to me.

 

Thanks again,

 

Bob      

Bob, you can often get them from www.abebooks.com, for reasonable prices. There were about 15 or so in the "blue" or "black" set you have for steam operations; many other volumes available for other aspects of railroading. Earlier (like the 1920s) they were slightly larger and in red or red-and-green covers (same info--the blues just have more "up-to-date" content). Click here if you want to see a pretty exhaustive list (about 1/3 down):

 

http://www.trainweb.org/tusp/libra.html

Thank you very much for the helpful information and advice. I'll start looking for more of those titles.

 

Here's another momento of the steam era. It is an instruction book for the operation and maintenance of Elesco locomotive feed water heaters published by The Superheater Company in 1926:

   

stam 001

  

stam 002

 

stam 003

  

stam 004

 

Bob

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I have a few items......

 

EMD manuals, including a SDL39 manual

Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee motor car (track speeder) instruction

Soo Line Swichstand (which I will be trading for a Milwaukee road one)

2 light color signal off the Milwaukee Road (Burlington Wisconsin)

Wabco AA2 Airhorn and a leslily 125 single chime horn

Plus alot of odds and ends

 

Here are a few Fairbanks-Morse items.

 

First up is one for the all the three rail O gauge folks. This is the Enginemen's Manual for the H24-66 Train Master and its slightly smaller brother, the H16-66:

  

f.m 001

 

f.m 002

 

f.m 003

 

Enginemen's Manual for the H12-44:

  

f.m 004

 

Trouble Shooters Manual for the "Erie Built" units:

  

f.m 005

 

Bob

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Here's an item which I thought was appropriate given that Grand Central Terminal's Centennial celebration has begun. What we have here is artwork commisioned to commemorate the delivery of New York Central's fleet of ACMU cars. Trains consisting of the new equipment are shown exiting and entering the Park Avenue Tunnel at 96th Street. The construction of GCT was part of a larger project of which the electrification of this segment of the railroad was a key component. Look closely and you can see the New York Central reaching for the sky many blocks down Park Avenue...no Pan Am Building to ruin this view.

  

m.u 005

 

Bob

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Love the FM stuff !  !My favorite diesel loco manufacturer ...
 
 
Originally Posted by CNJ 3676:

Here are a few Fairbanks-Morse items.

 

First up is one for the all the three rail O gauge folks. This is the Enginemen's Manual for the H24-66 Train Master and its slightly smaller brother, the H16-66:

  

f.m 001

 

f.m 002

 

f.m 003

 

Enginemen's Manual for the H12-44:

  

f.m 004

 

Trouble Shooters Manual for the "Erie Built" units:

  

f.m 005

 

Bob

I have never bought any railroadiana but have been given a number of items. My biggy is my great grandfathers lantern from is career as a B&O engineer. I also have a number of BLE items like badges and magazines.  My uncle Jimmy was the PR/advertising head at C&O in Huntington WV and gave me some EMD loco posters from late 60's -70's. 

 

PS.....almost all of my great grandmothers B&O passes she had in the 40 years he worked on the railroad!

Last edited by AMCDave

A lot of paper...A ticket from the Civil War Era Western and Atlantic, over a hundred pieces of CNS&M paper, IT collection of shop buttons, envelopes, timetables calendars also TM, CRT streetcar tickets, railroad advertising postcards, some signed lithographs..a lot of paper items, original station calendar wall art from the PRR, etc, etc. I am donating this stuff to the IRM Strayhorn Library in my will to sell or keep. Tons of books, some rare, some not. Represents about a three decade long hobby of collecting.

Probably the nearest and dearest thing to me was one I created, in that I was visiting IRM and took a pretty good picture of Henry Cordell, the Chief Engineer for the CNS&M standing alongside one of his restored charges, an interurban signed for my hometown, talking to a former motorman. One can only imagine what they were reminiscing about..

Last edited by electroliner

I don't really get into railroadiana because I collect too much other stuff (and have to

slap my hand to keep from collecting more), so all I have are a few railroad spikes

picked up along Otto Mears' narrow gauge roadbeds, and a large bolt that my nephew

got from the ruins of the famous covered turntable on the Silverton RR some years ago.

(there is one other item for an eastern road that I bought cheap at an estate auction, but at the moment I can't think what it is, or what RR it is for)

I am working through a couple of bugs posting pictures from my iPod but in the las post I have a picture of a 40 year PRSL service pin and a 50 year PRR.  The MOST unusual and rare Pin is the 50 year Long Island pin.

I am enjoying this thread and the chance to see everybody's railroadiania.  Joe, your collection is awesome.  I'll post more pictures soon.

My grandfather had a ton of stuff, including a private passenger car, a track speeder, and a working semaphore.  But since I was only 15 at his passing, my dad donated those and more to the local museum Grandpa was a member of.  Over the years a lot of the other stuff has "walked".  Now that I have my own place I need to go over to his old house and collect everything and catalog it.  But I do have some EMD builder plates, a bell and whistle, a few lanterns, Amtrak conductors uniform, some dishes and sheets, buttons and lifetime passes, signage, manuals and other paper stuff.  There were at one time some steam/air lines from a locomotive in his backyard, but I'm sure those have long wasted away.

Another quest. Have you or anyone else have any of these marker lamps? I would like to get one. Or a pair.
 
Jeff
 
Originally Posted by Jeff B. Haertlein:
Wow. Great Friend. If you ever decide to sell, perhaps you will remember me.   Happy Collecting.
 
jeff
 
Originally Posted by NJCJOE:

Sweet caboose Jeff. The lamp actually came from a friend of mine. I have no idea where he got it from but if I was to guess I would say Ebay.

 

 

Armspear marker lamp

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Yes, I have only seen the one I posted, and photos of them on the back of Business Cars. I do have an Armspear with these spheroidal quarter section lenses from a "Highball"  signal, and a Bridge Lamp, but no markers. They are a neat design, but must have never caught on.
 
Jeff 
 
 
Originally Posted by NJCJOE:

Jeff,

 

I never had that style of marker lamp and have never seen any for sale either. The lamp was manufactured by Armspear. That's a hard one to find.

 

As additional thoughts. Thanks for the compliment on the caboose, built in 1925, and a ten year restoration, and now on display at a Museum. In regards to your Dressel GN marker lamp, could you tell me how and where it is marked?  Thanks,  Jeff
 
Originally Posted by Jeff B. Haertlein:
Wow. Great Friend. If you ever decide to sell, perhaps you will remember me.   Happy Collecting.
 
jeff
 
Originally Posted by NJCJOE:

Sweet caboose Jeff. The lamp actually came from a friend of mine. I have no idea where he got it from but if I was to guess I would say Ebay.

 

 

Originally Posted by AMCDave:

I have never bought any railroadiana but have been given a number of items.

Same here.  I've got a PRR lantern (kerosene), a PRR lock & key, a PRR first-aid kit, a couple of manuals, some builders' plates, a couple of spikes, some other odds and ends that escape me at the moment.  Friends and relatives see these things at flea markets and estate sales, cheap, and occasionally give them to me when they find out I'm interested in railroading.  But personally, I've never put a lot of effort or money into 1:1 railroadiana.

 

 

Originally Posted by Jeff B. Haertlein:
 In regards to your Dressel GN marker lamp, could you tell me how and where it is marked?  Thanks,  Jeff
 

Jeff,

 

I went back and looked at the lamp and it was not marked. I then realized the lamp in the picture was not from the GN. That particular lamp was unmarked. I finally found my GN marker lamp. It is an Adlake square top lamp and is marked GN Ry on the top/side of the lid.

 

The GN lamp is in the center of the photo hanging on the wall.

 

 

2013-06-20 21.14.31

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Last edited by NJCJOE

Yes, it stands for Pennsylvania System.

 

"Pennsylvania System" was the service name used to designate the combination of Lines East and West. You will find it on certain types of advertising matter, and in the names of several joint bodies that had members from both halves of the railroad.

The "Lines West" organization was abolished in 1920, although it took about two more years before all of the properties were actually leased to the PRR. At that time "Pennsylvania Railroad" replaced "Pennsylvania System" as the name for the whole railroad. This is what you see on post-1920 timetables, advertisements, etc.

Got a few items, not near as many as some of my friends. 

 

1)  cast iron 3 tri color signal which I need to repaint/restore.  Really like Jeff's idea above as would look nice in front of our train building.

 

2)  remember the track side mail pick ups from the RPO days.  Got one of those.

 

3)  beaded crossing buck.

 

4)  several railroad crossing signs.  DOT crew swaping them out.  Stopped to inquire and gave them to me.

 

4)  several Southern Railway timetables.

 

5)  laundry bag (I think) from the Southern passenger train days.

 

6)  thousands of roster and action shot prints and slides.  Don't take railroading and railfanning for granted.  What's been common for years may be gone tomorrow.  Glad was able to photograph Saluda Mountain and the Kings Creek to Shelby line using the spacer box car when I did.  I need to post some of these on the real trains page.

Hi Joe:
 
Thanks for the heads up on your markers. Too bad the Dressel isn't marked GN. I have a few pair of the GN #7 Adlakes, one pair is a three lens variety. I had a GN Dressel years ago, but when I was restoring my real GN caboose, during the time I did not have a job, I traded that marker off to another collector. He trade several handlanterns, which I was able to convert to cash, to help buy me siding for the caboose. Now I wish I had never done that. I also saw a pair of GN markers made by Dressel, but I thought the tags were faked. A number of years later, I came across a nice Adlake bell bottom fork mount switch lamp, with the same odd tag for the GN. The delaer whop had this would have never been able to fake this, just like the tag on those markers. So ends my trials and tribulations looking for a pair of GN Dressel markers. Thanks for your comments, and pictures. You have some neat stuff and nicely displayed.
 
Jeff
 
Originally Posted by NJCJOE:
Originally Posted by Jeff B. Haertlein:
 In regards to your Dressel GN marker lamp, could you tell me how and where it is marked?  Thanks,  Jeff
 

Jeff,

 

I went back and looked at the lamp and it was not marked. I then realized the lamp in the picture was not from the GN. That particular lamp was unmarked. I finally found my GN marker lamp. It is an Adlake square top lamp and is marked GN Ry on the top/side of the lid.

 

The GN lamp is in the center of the photo hanging on the wall.

 

 

2013-06-20 21.14.31

 

Great Northern Ry. Dressel marker

Great Northern Ry. Dressel marker

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  • Great Northern Ry. Dressel marker: Great Northern Dressel caboose marker lamp, that I USE to have.  :-(
Originally Posted by Jeff B. Haertlein:
Hi Joe:
 
Thanks for the heads up on your markers. Too bad the Dressel isn't marked GN. I have a few pair of the GN #7 Adlakes, one pair is a three lens variety. I had a GN Dressel years ago, but when I was restoring my real GN caboose, during the time I did not have a job, I traded that marker off to another collector. He trade several handlanterns, which I was able to convert to cash, to help buy me siding for the caboose. Now I wish I had never done that. I also saw a pair of GN markers made by Dressel, but I thought the tags were faked. A number of years later, I came across a nice Adlake bell bottom fork mount switch lamp, with the same odd tag for the GN. The delaer whop had this would have never been able to fake this, just like the tag on those markers. So ends my trials and tribulations looking for a pair of GN Dressel markers. Thanks for your comments, and pictures. You have some neat stuff and nicely displayed.
 
Jeff
 
Originally Posted by NJCJOE:
Originally Posted by Jeff B. Haertlein:
 In regards to your Dressel GN marker lamp, could you tell me how and where it is marked?  Thanks,  Jeff
 

Jeff,

 

I went back and looked at the lamp and it was not marked. I then realized the lamp in the picture was not from the GN. That particular lamp was unmarked. I finally found my GN marker lamp. It is an Adlake square top lamp and is marked GN Ry on the top/side of the lid.

 

The GN lamp is in the center of the photo hanging on the wall.

 

 

2013-06-20 21.14.31

 

Great Northern Ry. Dressel marker

Great Northern Ry. Dressel marker

 

Great Northern Dressel marker

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I guess I goofed up the first try, so will attach again. These are some of my lamps and lanterns. They have been moving around the basement, as I restored the walls of our old basement foundation, so I could build a layout as I have posted elsewhere. Many are restored, many are not, but awaiting the day. Most are not displayed, until I can move them to another room of the house. Our old home was built in 1911, and restoring the 17" thick fieldstone foundation was quite a feat. So here are a few pictures, also show some of my whistles. You asked for pictures, so at least here, I can contribute.   Jeff    Originally Posted by NJCJOE:

Some cool items guys. Now we need to see some pictures. 

 

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Thanks for the compliment. I know they must look a mess in storage like that, but it is the only way right now. It has been fun over the 40+ years, but it took a long time to get that many, much less pairs of many of them. I want pairs so that I could use them from time to time on our Museum's trains, but those days are not as often now.
 
Jeff
 
Originally Posted by NJCJOE:

Jeff, 

 

Very impressive collection. Thank you for sharing the photos. Looks to be some pretty interesting items there.

 

It doesn't look like a mess to me. I view those photos like others would look at a piece of art. The history sitting on those shelves can not be easily duplicated. Of all the items that one could collect railroadiana wise, I find lanterns and lamps the most fascinating. I even have a tattoo of a late 1800's Westlake conductors lantern with a red over clear globe. You could say this is my hobby for life.

Since the Pennsylvania System was mentioned above, here's a Form 5 passenger timetable dated April 30, 1922 with "PS" lettering from my collection. As seen from the photo, this edition prominently featured the still relatively new Pennsylvania Station in New York City. Of course, at this time, Pennsy trains to the west were still being hauled by electric locomotives drawing their power from third rail direct current. Alternating current supplied by overhead catenary was still in the future.

 

Bob

    

PRRTT

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Thanks for reviving this thread and sharing your items with us.

 

Here's another Pennsylvania timetable. This is a Form 79 dated March 13, 1921 and also features an image of New York Penn Station on its cover. Clearly, the company was justifiably proud of its magnificent station in New York City.

 

Note the Pennsylvania System lettering within the keystone versus the later "PRR" on the 1922 timetable pictured above. Also, this timetable is lettered for the Eastern Region under the larger "Pennsylvania System" banner. 

 

PRRTT2

Bob

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As seen by my previous posts, I'm particularly interested in paper items so I present for your consideration a New York Central & Hudson River passenger timetable dated 1893. Of course, this was well before electrification, GCT and the Hudsons and other such things so closely associated with the NYC. In fact, 4-4-0 999 was built at the West Albany Shops during the same year this timetable was issued so the 999 and its contemporaries were the latest and greatest in passenger power at the time.

   

NYCTT1

NYCTT2

 

The drawing of the old Grand Central Station on the cover is quite spectacular.

 

When you think about the incredible age of some of these items, it's quite thrilling and humbling to have the opportunity to be their current caretaker and hold them with your own hands.

 

Bob 

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Last edited by CNJ 3676

Here's the Summer 1904 timetable for the Western Division of the NYC&HR. The railroad's Western Division was composed of the territory beginning at Syracuse moving west to the Niagara Falls area. Also shown in this timetable are times for connecting services to and from New York City, assorted Canadian points and the Midwest.

    

NYCHRTT

 

Bob

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Pictured here is PRR Form 5 New York-Philadelphia timetable effective June 11, 1905. As this timetable predates the completion of New York Pennsylvania Station by several years, it shows three Manhattan station stops: West 23rd, Desbrosses and Cortlandt Streets. Brooklyn is included as well. Philadelphia stations listed are Broad Street, West Philadelphia and North Philadelphia.

 

Bob

  

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A timely thread. I have long held that Railroadiana, for supplemental income, is the future of train meets/shows ... and that includes E.D.'s biannual York meet. The Red & White buildings ... open to the public for a reduced (non TCA) fee would be a very good start.

 

Either the ED does for Railroadiana what they have done for 3rd rail or some one else will! ... 

 

 

Last edited by Between A&B

Here's the New Haven's 1933 Annual Report:

 

ANNUAL

Annual reports are a treasure trove of information, providing insight regarding the operating and financial strategies of individual carriers. Reviewing their bibliographies, many of the most respected railroad histories published over the years have relied heavily upon annual reports as their primary sources of accurate and factual information.

 

Bob  

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Was the background color of the "Railroad Crossing Stop Look And Listen" originally yellow or white.  I Have one and planed to paint it, so I looked it up and the only one I could find had a white background with of course the red, lettering like yours.  
 
Originally Posted by NJCJOE:

Railroadiana......my other hobby. I collect anything used by the railroad including lanterns, signs, tools, lamps, signals, paper and other hardware.

 

IMG_0713

 

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Madison,

 

It depends on what sign you have. There are two versions of that sign. Most of these signs came from the PRR and look like this.

 

 

16567340_1_l

 

Mine is the other version and looks like this. I was told it came off a trolley line near Philadelphia.

 

 

DSCF0002

 

There are two ways to tell the difference. First is the lettering style and spacing. The other is that on the PRR sign, there are two holes near the bottom. This was for a strap bracket that was mounted on the back of the sign which went around the pole for additional support. All PRR signs were painted white and black.

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Here we have a desirable item. This is Reading Form T.T. 4 for the Trenton and New York Branches effective December 12, 1937. What makes this specific timetable particularly appealing is this is the edition which introduced the streamlined Crusader to the riding public. In fact, the new train entered regular service between Philadelphia and Jersey City the next day. Understandably, the railroad was quite certain to tout the new service rather prominently on the cover of the timetable.

  

CRUSADERTT

Bob

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Hi, Dave.

 

I believe you're correct about the lighter being issued by Headlight either as a give away or separate sale item. It certainly appears to be promotional in nature.

 

Here are several images of Headlight Overalls memorabilia I found on the web:

 

headlight1

headlight2

headlight3

headlight4

 

I had never seen one of these lighters until you posted the pictures of yours. Thanks for sharing.

 

Bob

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I have some New York Central paper type items and other things which were passed to me by my father who was the District Claim Agent for the NYC.  I would love to get some more information on some of this 'stuff'.

 

I noted with interest that Bob (CNJ 3676) and Joe (NJCJOE) seem to have a wealth of information and interest in similar things...  My email address is in my profile - please contact me!!!

 

Best,

Dave

Hi, Dave.

 

I'll shoot you an e-mail. I'm always happy to talk railroading.

 

An additional note regarding Headlight Overalls: I checked for additional images and located more advertising material, one of which features one of the UP's diesel streamliners and the second several young model railroaders at play dressed just like their heroes running the real thing. Great stuff; I'll have to start looking for some of it at train shows.

 

Bob

  

headlightup

headlightup2

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Originally Posted by Jeff B. Haertlein:
Another quest. Have you or anyone else have any of these marker lamps? I would like to get one. Or a pair.
 
Jeff
 
Originally Posted by Jeff B. Haertlein:
Wow. Great Friend. If you ever decide to sell, perhaps you will remember me.   Happy Collecting.
 
jeff
 
Originally Posted by NJCJOE:

Sweet caboose Jeff. The lamp actually came from a friend of mine. I have no idea where he got it from but if I was to guess I would say Ebay.

 

 

Armspear marker lamp

I have a couple of Armspear Spheroidal bridge/Pier lamps.  One, a swing bridge top lamp identical to the marker lamp seen here except for the marine style of bail (handle) and without the clasp marker mounting bracket.  It also has the added (and therefore removable) blinders that reduce the visible segment of the lenses from 90 degrees to 60 degrees as were also found when these had switch lamp bases riveted on to the bottom of this type of lamp.  The other is an all aluminum cast electric pier lamp made in the 1930's or 40's.  This type of lamp was made from the late teens until at least the mid 1930's.

 

Google images: "Dewey defeats Truman" and you'll see the famous photos of president Truman holding the newspaper with the incorrect outcome of his presidential election while standing on the rear of the OFFICIAL Presidential observation car AND NOTICE THOSE MARKER LAMPS!!!    Paul

Interesting to hear you have some of the bridge lamps, that is great. I have the picture in one of my books, but I'll have to google your suggestion and see it there. Jeff     Originally Posted by Super7:
Originally Posted by Jeff B. Haertlein:
Another quest. Have you or anyone else have any of these marker lamps? I would like to get one. Or a pair.
 
Jeff
 
Originally Posted by Jeff B. Haertlein:
Wow. Great Friend. If you ever decide to sell, perhaps you will remember me.   Happy Collecting.
 
jeff
 
Originally Posted by NJCJOE:

Sweet caboose Jeff. The lamp actually came from a friend of mine. I have no idea where he got it from but if I was to guess I would say Ebay.

 

 

Armspear marker lamp

I have a couple of Armspear Spheroidal bridge/Pier lamps.  One, a swing bridge top lamp identical to the marker lamp seen here except for the marine style of bail (handle) and without the clasp marker mounting bracket.  It also has the added (and therefore removable) blinders that reduce the visible segment of the lenses from 90 degrees to 60 degrees as were also found when these had switch lamp bases riveted on to the bottom of this type of lamp.  The other is an all aluminum cast electric pier lamp made in the 1930's or 40's.  This type of lamp was made from the late teens until at least the mid 1930's.

 

Google images: "Dewey defeats Truman" and you'll see the famous photos of president Truman holding the newspaper with the incorrect outcome of his presidential election while standing on the rear of the OFFICIAL Presidential observation car AND NOTICE THOSE MARKER LAMPS!!!    Paul

 

Originally Posted by NJCJOE:

Bob,

 

It was nice to meet you at the Greenberg show today.

Hi, Joe.

 

It was a pleasure to meet you as well. In this electronic world of ours, it's nice when you can match a live person to a post!

 

Following up on Mr. Butler's CB&Q timetable featuring a military service theme, here's a PRR Form 1 System Timetable effective November 14, 1943:

  

PRR1

PRR2

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Last edited by CNJ 3676
Originally Posted by CNJ 3676:

Hi, Derek.

 

Have you managed to get anything else done with the model board?

 

Bob

Hey Bob, 

 

No I have not done much else, it has pretty much sat for the past five months. If I thought I'd ever get a chance to own it again, I'd let it go and make room for something else. That being said, it's one of a kind, so it's going to hang around for awhile longer. 

Last edited by Notch 6

There are many way cool items attached to this thread. Made me grab my camera and get some pics of the stuff I've acquired over the years. The RR Xing signs and the switch throw were Christmas gifts from my oldest. He missed out on a motorized inspection car by two weeks. The guy who owned it, gave it away!

Don

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Prior to 1933, if a bank met certain requirements of U.S. banking laws they could become a chartered bank and have the Bureau of Printing and Engraving print U.S. money with an ad for their bank on the front.  In addition to the ad, the bill included the banks charter number and the signatures of the key bank officers. Among paper money collectors this currency issue is known as "National Currency".  During the first quarter of the 20th Century a number of railroad brotherhoods opened banks which met the criteria for charter status.  Below is an example of the last National Bank Note series from one of these railroad brotherhood banks - The Engineers National Bank of Boston Massachusetts charter number 12540.

money1

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Last edited by Robert S. Butler

This is a great thread.  I believe there should be a separate forum for this.  there has been alot of interesting items shown.  Robert, you have a rare note there, really nice condition and a low serial number too.  Here is one of my favorite railroad signs, it would be on a station platform to warn people when trains pass.

image

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Thanks to all for continuing to share your wonderful items.

 

Here are a few more volumes from the pile of annual reports. From top to bottom we have the 1928 New York Central, 1941 NYC (note the image of the re-equipped Empire State Express equipment on the cover as it debuted on December 7th of that year), 1949 NYC, 1959 Reading, 1965 Reading and 1966 Morristown & Erie reports.

 

Bob 

 

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Railroads vigorously promoted the attributes of points and attractions along their systems to increase passenger ridership. Not sparing any expense, they issued promotional materials which were quite elegant and of very high quality for their day. Thankfully, some of this literature is still with us for us to reflect upon and enjoy. Below we have examples of 1903 New York Central items highlighting the attributes of the Adirondack and Thousand Island regions along with a Delaware & Hudson 1915 brochure for Lake George.

 

Bob 

 

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Here's a brochure issued by the American Locomotive Company publicizing the delivery of New Haven's DL-109 units to the railroad. While the DL-109 was ordered by several roads, it became synonymous with the New Haven as the NH truly maximized utilization of its units, assigning them to freight trains when not needed for passenger service.

 

Bob 

 

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I have these former Adirondack logging items. The sign Is real. The caboose is not.

 

The Caboose is truckless on the former R.O.W. it would have run on. I built it myself based on Photos and a Keystone O-scale model of the caboose that ran on this RR blown up to full scale. My neighbor milled the wood for me. It took me about five summers to build. There are still some projects to work out.

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