Bardic Lamp

[Steve Pink]

I have a lamp that has an amber lens in it. Does anyone know how to activate it?

 

[transportphoto]

It's usually a case of swap the knob on the top.

If you've got a knob like this one: http://www.footplateequipment.co.uk/images/brbardiclamp.jpg you'll need to change it for one like this one: http://www.grahamoliver.com/forsale/watches/images/bardic9a.jpg.

TP

 

[Qwerty133]

http://railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=83739&highlight=bardic+lamp

 

[Silv1983]

I have a lamp that has an amber lens in it. Does anyone know how to activate it?

Have you tried rubbing it?

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Thumb red - finger green - one click over for "amber or yellow"

 

[Smudger105e]

Some Bardics also have a small brass disc on the spindle which fits in a cut out on the inside of the body to prevent the yellow aspect being used. If it won't turn even with a black plastic know, remove the knob, remove the bottom battery plate, remove and unplug the battery, remove the lens and reflector (just prise the front rubber off) and remove the three screws holding the fitting in (the three on the top of the lamp). If there is a brass disc it will simply lift off the spindle.

The reassemble!

 

[bronzeonion]

Is there any way I could only buy a knob that only allows the red/green/white to be shown?

 

[Smudger105e]

Yes, the long alloy one as shown in the above picture, or get the little brass disc thingy and fit it with a plastic handle...

 

[matchmaker]

Is there any way I could only buy a knob that only allows the red/green/white to be shown?

Yes. But why?

 

[bronzeonion]

Yes. But why?

I currently have one that shows all available aspects but would like to be able to swap around between only being able to show green/red/white and all of the aspects.

 

[broadgage]

AFAIK all railway issue Bardic lamps have the yellow filter fitted, it is simpler and cheaper to make only one version of the colour filter assembly.
For some railway jobs it was considered that a lamp showing only red/green/white was preferable.
This was achieved either by fitting a knob so designed that it would not turn to the yellow position, or by fitting a segmented brass washer inside the lamp that prevented the operating shaft being turned to the yellow position.

It is a simple matter to modify the lamp to show yellow if desired.

There was also a lamp made with red/green/white/BLUE aspects these were intended for police or military applications, not railway use. They are very rare.

Bardic industries also made a white only, non signalling rechargeable lamp, these were very much brighter than the signaling lamps powered by disposable batteries. (they make excellent detachable headlights for steam road vehicles)
These are not readily available anymore.

Bardic lamps were made in various case colours, the usuall convention being

National rail network-----------------------------silver or natural aluminium
Military issue------------------------------------Olive drab
Sold to the public via electrical wholesalers-------Yellow
Rechargeable, non signalling----------------------red
Flameproof version-------------------------------blue.

I have seen black ones, but suspect that these are home painted, not supplied like that.
Black looks better used for headlights or tail lights on vintage steam road vehicles.