Great Northern Railway Lamp

Can anyone tell me what this was used for the two bulls eye lenses are tinted green and the smaller ones show a white light.There are no provisions inside for other lense colours 23 in high . doesnt seem to fit to any signals that I know of .

 

That's a real poser! It's worth noting though that it was only in the 20th century that train headlamps and taillamps were roughly standardised. On various railways in the 19th Century different classes of trains required different colour headlamps (not sure about taillamps). It was also required on certain railways that when a train was stationary alterations were made to the head/taillamps (this of course remained on Guards vans on unfitted trains until the 60s/70s (?)). Rolt's Red for Danger notes at least one incident when lamps weren't altered/altered incorrectly and a crash ensued.

So my best guess is that this is part of the old head/taillamp codes - might be worth contacting the NRM to see if there are any records of GNR codes in the 19th century.

 

Thanks for reply Jamie,I was at the NRM on the 7th went up behind Oliver Cromwell. I found a chap there who took me up to the research room and suggested a signaling book to me which I now have purchased .I am an ex BR (m) signalman and this book certainly tought me a lot about the early days of signals however I never found the lamp in there .You maybe correct will look into that, the square base is odd and it does seem a bit on the large side to put on a loco or as a tail light .However I do like a challenge.

 

It might possibly be a side-lamp off a passenger train (they had such things then). Next time you are at the NRM take a look at the ECJS full brake in the 'Station Hall', you might see something similar.

 

It's not a crossing lamp? Though green would be an odd aspect.

Of course green with a yellow flame won't show as true green, hence why oil hand lamps use a blue filter to give a green aspect.

Or maybe an early type of ground signal?

Iain

 

Really appreciate your answers chaps will check out that full brake in the station hall next time I visit.The two green bullseyes just have me baffled someone suggested it could have been on a ship that was owned by the Great Northern .So there is another area to look

 

That would have to be showing only over an arc from dead ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam I believe from memory.

 

Your best bet is to get along to one of the better auctions and ask the stallholders who specialise in lamps - it certainly looks like a crossing type of "drop in" lamp - but they had red lenses.

 

Looks the same as this to me, but with the top handle broken off... http://www.gcrauctions.com/sale126/lot77.html described as a GNR signal lamp.

 

Thats it the handle isnt broken off just folded down .Still odd that its green both sides now to find a picture of a GNR signal with one on .Thanks B17 61606.

 

No worries, glad to have been of assistance!