Object Details
- Description
- This railroad hand signal oil lantern was used on the United States Military Railroad by the Union Army during the Civil War from 1862 until 1865. The base of the lamp held the oil font; the wick is inside the glass globe which is protected by the wire frame. The glass globe has the initials “USMRR” stamped into the side.
- Before the advent of portable two way radios train crews communicated via hand signals during the day, and lantern signals during periods of low visibility or at night. Specific motions of the lantern convey precise instructions from the train's conductor to the train’s engineer or brakeman such as “Clear to Depart;" "Move the train Forward;" "Move the train Backward;" "Slow Down;" "Slow Down Further;" or "Stop and Remain Stopped."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- Marian Price Taylor
- ca. 1862-1865
- ID Number
- TR.315875
- accession number
- 222961
- catalog number
- 315875
- Object Name
- lantern, hand signal
- Other Terms
- lantern, conductor's, 1862; lantern, hand signal; Rail
- Physical Description
- brass (overall material)
- glass (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 14 1/2 in x 8 in; 36.83 cm x 20.32 cm
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: Transportation, Railroad
- Work
- Communications
- Transportation
- National Museum of American History
- Subject
- Civil War
- Railroads
- Record ID
- nmah_843735
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a6-7a64-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
