Rail lantern

[Jennykaye]

Hi, I'm not sure if this is the correct forum to get the info I'm looking for but my dad has just purchased this lantern & is not sure why it has a second glass door that can be bolted back.
Can anyone shed any light on what is would be used for please?

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi, I'm not sure if this is the correct forum to get the info I'm looking for but my dad has just purchased this lantern & is not sure why it has a second glass door that can be bolted back.
Can anyone shed any light on what is would be used for please?

Hi - welcome to the forum!

Complete guess on my part (and others may come along who know) but is one door to protect the lamp eg from the wind to stop it going out - the other door so you can change the colour of the glass in it to show different 'aspects' eg green, red for stop or as on rear of a train etc.

Is there any writing or numbers on the lamp anywhere - if so and you post them or post a pic of them people on here may be able to add further information about your dad's lantern.

 

[Jennykaye]

Hi - welcome to the forum!

Complete guess on my part (and others may come along who know) but is one door to protect the lamp eg from the wind to stop it going out - the other door so you can change the colour of the glass in it to show different 'aspects' eg green, red for stop or as on rear of a train etc.

Is there any writing or numbers on the lamp anywhere - if so and you post them or post a pic of them people on here may be able to add further information about your dad's lantern.

Hi, thank you for your reply,
That's what I thought but my dad wants confirmation! I have more pictures!
Thanks again

 

[randyrippley]

what is the word above "beziers"? Is there any more lettering and can you post images of all four sides?

does "beziers" indicate its French?

 

[30907]

Looks like Reserve Béziers to me. Googling SNCF lamp brings up one or two images with similar lettering.

 

[WesternLancer]

The brass nature of it is interesting, and looks v high quality, compared with say the more common UK style sheet metal (steel? tin plate?) railway guards lamps etc
Does that mean it's for a special purpose on French Railways?