If this lamp could talk, what an array of stories it could tell. The bent top, dirty glass, and broken wire frame adds much character and story to this photo. This Handlan Buck lantern glows intently in the fading dusk at the East Ely Yard of the Nevada Northern Railway.
Just how many conductors or brakemen waved this relic in signaling the engineer to stop, proceed or kick a car. Clearly this lamp earned it’s keep. Reliable and effective, these only need TLC and a little kerosene to faithfully serve it’s handler. No dead batteries, no cell towers, or cyber wizardry, just solid technology from an era long past.
The Nevada Northern RR is a great place to visit, been there twice. Great operating collection, and a friendly staff that had no problem letting me wander around at will. You can experience the so-called “loneliest road in the world,” US 50, if coming from the Reno area. Bring water, have the wife bring a book….
Rails today use hand held radios to do all the signaling from the ground and lamps like this find their way into memorabilia collections, as this one did for Steve Crise. Watch for them at the next garage sale down the street. There are a few hanging from the ceiling of my man cave.
Excerpts from Railroads Illustrated May 2009. Photo credit: Mike Massee, submitted by Gary O. Ostlund
