National PRRTHS - Keystone Articles

From time to time we will be providing condensed versions of articles published in the Keystone.

Introduction

"As with everything else associated with the Pennsylvania Railroad, its use of hand lanterns was prolific. The PRR ordered lanterns from virtually every major lantern manufacturer at one time or another. Adams & Westlake, Handlan, Dietz, Armspear and Keystone were all tapped to supply the PRR's lantern requirements....I know of no other railroad that comes close to to the PRR in the diversity of lanterns it purchased. This is a first in a series of articles concerning the hand lanterns used on the PRR. This first article will cover the lanterns manufactured by the Adams & Westlake Company. Future articles will highlight lanterns manufactured by Handlan, keystone, Armspear, Dietz and other smaller manufactures, including some very early ones."
Gregory Pinkham
This Article and additional photos are available in its entirety in the PRRT&HS Keystone.
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Adams & Westlake brass top, bell-bottomed lantern marked "P.R.R" on the lid. It has a 5 1/8", green, cast PRR globe that was manufactured by Corning.

The lantern on the left is an A&W bell-bottom, with a one-piece, beehive top. It is marked "P.R.R." on the lid rim and has a red cast PRR globe that was made by Corning.
The lantern on the right is an A&W bell-bottom, with a three-piece beehive top. It is marked "P.R.R." on the lid rim and has a green-over-clear, etched PRR globe. It is barrel-shaped, No. 223 pearl glass globe, manufactured by Macbeth.

The lantern on the left is an A&W No. 39 bell-bottom, marked "Pennsylvania Lines" on the lid rim. It has a red, cast "Pennsylvania Lines" globe that was made by Corning.

The lantern on the right is an A&W No. 39 bell-bottom, marked "P.R.R" on the lid rim. It has a red, cast PRR globe that was made by Corning.

This first in a series of articles provides a history of PRR lanterns and 15 additional lantern photos.