TRRS 519: Railroad Switch Lanterns and a Cabride on the C&M
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- COOPERSVILLE, MICH - 23 Dec 2017
It's a cold and somewhat blustery Christmas Eve-Eve on the Coopersville and Marne Railroad, where some of the last Santa Train runs are operating before the railroad shuts down tourist operations over the winter.
In this video, we'll follow an afternoon on the railroad as Eric Rice, one of the railroad's mechanical gurus, sets up his switchstand lanterns around the yard in Coopersville, for a special look at what the period of switch lanterns was like.
In the first half, we'll follow Eric as he explains some things about the various lanterns as he goes about installing and lighting the lamps. Then, we'll jump in the cab of the railroad's SW No. 7014 for a cabride as Eric takes over for the final two excursions runs for the day, with the lanterns glowing in a tribute to the way railroading was done all those years ago.
Thanks to the C&M for allowing this video to be created and broadcast! Be sure to check out their website for train ride opportunities - including cab rides - and volunteer information.
www.coopersvil...
People featured in this video:
- Eric Rice, C&M Mechanical Guru and Engineer
- Kyle Steinke, C&M Mechanical Dept and Brakeman
Thanks for watching! Make sure to leave a like and subscribe, for more from the Thornapple River Rail Series! Your support keeps this channel rolling - don’t forget to leave your thoughts and questions in the comments below!
Also like TRRS on Facebook! / thornappleriverproduct...
Videography Equipment:
-Primary: Sony FDR-AX53 4K Camcorder
-Secondary: Sony HDR-PJ790V HD Camcorder
-Aerial Platform: DJI Phantom 3 Advanced Drone
-Edited with: Cyberlink PowerDirector 16
Created by Alex Christmas. Copyright 2018, as the Thornapple River Rail Series, All Rights Reserved
Hard to believe switch lamps were once common as flies AND nobody bothered them! They'd be lucky to survive thru the day now.
Seeing you in the engine cab reminded me of my dad who was a railroad freight engineer for 43 years, working right up to his last day. He was a special guy who really loved his job.
It would be good to see some footage of these Railroad Switch Lanterns at night
thought the very same
Yeah
Who doesn't love the smell of kerosene in the morning?
I rode freights for a bit when I was 13 and remember seeing these kerosene switch lamps. I clearly remember walking up to one and seeing the flame iinside. Very cool that this is preserved in your RR.
That cab ride reminded me of our local hump yard back in the 1970's. A pair of tired and battered ex PRR switchers kicking cars over the gravity hump. If the right crew/Yardmaster was working you could get a brief ride there too. Enjoyed the video for sure!
My dad was a railroad engineer. For the last several years of his life he worked the hump on a few switcher engines. He often said he had the best job in the world. Also, I agree with you about the crew & especially the yard master. Those good old days were really special.
what a really great Video, as an Ex Railroad Man I throughly enjoyed what a nice bunch of Guys.
If you put the lighter inside your coat it will stay warm and provide flame when you need it.
Very nice !
@ 13:36... that old ramapo switch is just as classic as the switch lanterns... good stuff
I remember seeing kerosene switch lamps when riding Western Maryland Railway Fall excursions out of Baltimore back in the 1960s and '70s. Most of the track switches in yards from Baltimore to Cumberland had them. It was neat to see the flickering light through the colorful lamp lenses in the evening on the return trip. The WM kept them up until the Chessie System absorbtion of the RR. Chessie replaced them with metal targets the same as the B&O RR had at the time. The WM also used battery operated lamps, mainly found along the "Dutch Line" on main line switches and main line siding derails. Part of old railroading I greatly miss. Nice to see a rail line keeping the old lamps in actual use, even if only for special occasions.
What could be more incredible for a train fanatic, Than to have Your Very OWN Railroad !
Yes, they were common and it was always someones job to maintain them, change lenses, refill founts and replace wicks in all kinds of weather. I am curious where they got all those lanterns and they look like new. Nice video. Thank you for sharing
rfederle .....I’d like to know where they got them as well
Same!
@@TexasRailfan2008 I think that Adlade company still makes them.
@@TheDrummer51 no, they stopped making them long ago
That was pretty freakin' KOOL!!!!
What a great video! I just got one of these switch lamps and finding this video of them "in the field" was awesome. Vintage videos of them in use seem to be very rare.
Neet to see them in use. also never seen the inside chimney, mine is missing.
We the electric type on conrail, a small bulb inside powered by a big car type battery that was buried part way in the ground, the rr ripped all of them and replaced them with those banner targets, heck today they could power a entire yard with led,s in them with a very small transformer. also i never seen the lunar type the guy showed, not on conrail.
I really enjoyed watching that. I have collected a few railroad lamps and lanterns but its great to see them used as they were intended. Thanks also for explaining the "blue" or "lunar white" signal lens. Was amazed to see how it looked when lit. Thanks very much for sharing this!
*Cheap, China-made dollar store lighters rarely ever work.*
HardlineAthiest yeah
I just received the HLPM lantern as a Christmas gift from a family member. Very interesting. It would seem to be used for caboose.
nice retro stuff :)
Excellent video Alex.
Wow! What a great video.
I have a few of these lanterns I'm starting to fix up. Nothing elaborate mind you.
Thanks for the added information about them like the lenses.
Saw them the other day with a lumber car
I'm vindicated! I'm not the only guy who can't operate those lighters!
Great video
A work force that's well
I love this more than I can describe. The bit where the lamps are being first put on feels like a celebration. I should send you the small pyrex air director chimneys that fit on the inside burners, I see they are missing
few things more useful to carry on your person than a well maintained reliable lighter, i don't smoke but i carry a zippo on me with a lazy flame butane insert
I think a Zippo would have a hard time getting into the lantern itself...otherwise for sure quality lighters for the win.
in this instance yeah i agree
Those are really nice switch lanterns & very cool that the lanterns sit on the railroad switches!🙂 Yes I scored a C.N.R. switch lantern that joined my lantern collection & a beautiful one too with red & blue fresnel lenses.👍 Yes I use mine as I sit outside relaxing on the little deck!🙂🙂
EXCELLENT VIDEO! Thanks for sharing!!!! :D
It was criminal to film this and not show them at night..
Wish I could get some lamps like these.
They're widely available online and at swap meets. Many common ones can be head for less than $100 each. There are of course super-rare super-clean super-expensive ones, but it isn't a hobby that is expensive by default.
Thornapple River Rail Series As true as that is my budget is just too tight. I'm lucky just to have the two railroad lanterns that I got.
Thornapple River Rail Series Also I prefer block signals but I've got a hard time trying to find ones like I'm looking for.
@@SOU6900 If you want block signals pull out your checkbook unless lucky enough to be on hand when one is being changed out. Then you MIGHT get one cheap.
How about putting in some white LEDs, powered with a solar cell and a battery?
Lighting the switches is now considered unnecessary.
You could do that but not with white. You would have to come up with a LED that matches as close as possible to the color of the flame. The lenses are only designed to work properly with the color of the flame centered a certain distance from the lens.
Should add... mine is a Hiram Piper, made in Canada under lic. from Adlake I am told.
Such an enjoyable video that I come back to watch from time to time ⭐️
You have the coolest job.
Interesting video!
Great video! You machined those brackets, Eric? I've got 3 in my collection now...acquiring a couple more this weekend. Want to use them on special occasions at my railroad but need to figger out brackets.
I like this
If I lived around there I'd tag him with "Nice" Rice !!
I really enjoyed this Thanks
awesome. very cool.
is his suburban for sale? lol
It's his baby so I don't think so!
Walking on thin ice with that comment .
Where can one purchase these switch lanterns?
Ebay, swap meets, etc
Thx
Why change them?
In this case, just for fun!