Switchman's Lantern

Adams & Westlake
ca. 1950

Switchmen primarily worked in railroad yards or industrial tracks near the yards, and spent a significant amount of time working at night. In the late 19th century, lantern manufacturers began to make and sell lanterns explicitly identified as "switchmen's lanterns." These lanterns were lighter and smaller than a brakeman's lantern, and some had a rigid wooden or steel bail so it could be tucked under the arm while working.

Steel, aluminum, plastic. H 32.2, W 16.1, Dia 13.3 cm
Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 579