Transportation - Overview
Americans have always been a people on the move—on rails, roads, and waterways (for travel through the air, visit the National Air and Space Museum). In the transportation collections, railroad objects range from tools, tracks, and many train models to the massive 1401, a 280-ton locomotive built in 1926. Road vehicles include coaches, buggies, wagons, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and automobiles—from the days before the Model T to modern race cars. The accessories of travel are part of the collections, too, from streetlights, gas pumps, and traffic signals to goggles and overcoats.
In the maritime collections, more than 7,000 design plans and scores of ship models show the evolution of sailing ships and other vessels. Other items range from scrimshaw, photographs, and marine paintings to life jackets from the Titanic.
"Transportation - Overview" showing 13 items.
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Railroad Hand-Signal Lantern, 1920s-40s
- Description
- This kerosene hand lantern was manufactured by the Manufacturing Company of New York, New York during the early 20th century. The lamp has a metal body has a blue glass bulb surrounded by a protective wire frame. The bottom of the lamp contained the oil font, with the wick protruding from the font into the bulb. The top of the lantern is stamped with the text “ARMSPEAR MANFG CO./“1925”/New York” while the lower metal portions reads “B.&O. R.R.” This lantern was used on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
- 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. This lantern with the blue globe was used by station agents to signal a train to pick up train orders, or to mark equipment that was being worked on and wasn’t to be moved.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1920-1949
- maker
- Armspear Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1989.0745.42
- catalog number
- 1989.0745.42
- accession number
- 1989.0745
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Railroad Hand-Signal Lantern, ca. 1945
- Description
- This “Conger” model battery-powered signal lantern was manufactured by the Star Headlight & Lantern Company of Honeoye Falls, New York around 1945. The metal case has rusted and the handle has been wrapped in electrical tape to improve the grip. The lantern has two bulbs; a bare bulb with widely dispersed light used for signaling and a smaller adjacent bulb with a focused beam that could be used as a flashlight. The tape label reads “W.L. Metz” for Wilbur L. Metz, who used this lamp during his career as a freight train brakeman and conductor on the Western Maryland Railroad.
- 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 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
- date made
- ca 1945
- Maker
- Star Headlight & Lantern Company
- ID Number
- 1996.0107.08
- catalog number
- 1996.0107.08
- accession number
- 1996.0107
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Railroad Hand-Signal Lantern, 1830s-1840
- Description
- This signal lantern was used on the Camden & Amboy Railroad in New Jersey from around 1833 until 1840. The top of the lantern bears the inscription “Edward Muschamp,” the conductor who used the lamp, as well as the inscription “Phile & NEW YORK RAILROAD” two cities connected on the Camden & Amboy route.
- 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 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
- date made
- 1831-1840
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- TR*181048
- catalog number
- 181048
- accession number
- 25376
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Railroad Hand-Signal Lantern, 1870s-80s
- Description
- This railroad hand-signal kerosene lantern was manufactured by the Adams & Westlake Company of Chicago, Illinois around 1870. Adlake was a major equipment supplier to railroads during the Westward expansion. The lantern is made of metal with a wire frame protecting the glass globe. The globe has the frosted name “J.H. Barrelle” in the center, surrounded by frosted glass floral designs. J.H. Barrelle was an agent for the Milwaukee Railroad, living in South Dakota in 1881, who likely used this hand-signal lantern.
- 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 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
- date made
- 1970-1989
- maker
- Adams & Westlake Company
- ID Number
- TR*322916
- catalog number
- 322916
- accession number
- 249870
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Railroad Hand-Signal Lantern, ca. 1850
- Description
- This railroad hand-signal oil lantern was likely used on the Concord Railroad during the middle of the 19th century. The metal lamp has a glass globe with the initials “C.M.&L.” engraved around the middle. These initials likely stood for the Concord, Massachusetts, and Lawrence railroad.
- 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 such as “Clear to Depart;" "Move the train Forward;" "Move the train Backward;" "Slow Down;" "Slow Down Further;" or "Stop and Remain Stopped."
- ID Number
- TR*322917
- catalog number
- 322917
- accession number
- 249870
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Railroad Hand-Signal Lantern, 1920s-40s.
- Description
- This kerosene railroad hand-signal lantern was made by the Armspear Manufacturing Company around 1920–1940. The lantern has a metal body with a glass globe, surrounded by a protective wire frame, with a wire handle. The top of the lantern is stamped with the text “ARMSPEAR MANFG CO./“1925”/New York” while the lower metal portions reads “Erie R.R.” The globe is stamped with the initials “DL&W” which stands for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. The Erie Railroad merged with the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad in 1960, perhaps explaining this lamp’s representation of both railways.
- 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 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
- ID Number
- TR*335004
- accession number
- 315303
- catalog number
- 335004
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Railroad Station Agent Hand-Signal Lantern, 1930s-40s
- Description
- This railroad hand-signal kerosene lantern was manufactured by the Handlan Manufacturing Company of St. Louis, Missouri around 1930–1940. The lamp was used on the Eastern Shore (Maryland) Lines of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The lamp has a metal body, a blue glass globe encircled by protected metal wire, and a meal handle and base. The top of the lamp is inscribed with the Handlan logo and the text “HANDLAN/ST. LOUIS USA.”
- 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. This lantern with the blue globe was used by station agents to signal a train to pick up train orders, or to mark equipment that was being worked on and wasn’t to be moved.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Handlan Manufacturing Co.
- ID Number
- TR*335440
- catalog number
- 335440
- accession number
- 321691
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Railroad Hand-Signal Lantern, 1930s-40s
- Description
- This railroad hand-signal kerosene lantern was manufactured by the Handlan Manufacturing Company of St. Louis, Missouri around 1930–1940. The lamp was used on the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad. The lamp has a metal body, a red glass globe encircled by protected metal wire, and a metal handle and base. The top of the lamp is inscribed with the Handlan logo and the text “HANDLAN/ST. LOUIS USA.” The red glass globe bears the stamped text “NY NH & H R.R.” which stands for the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad.
- 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. This lantern with the red globe was used by station agents to signal a train to stop, sometimes to pick up Form 31 train orders.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Handlan Manufacturing Co.
- ID Number
- TR*335441
- accession number
- 321691
- catalog number
- 335441
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Railroad Hand-Signal Lantern, 1950s-70s
- Description
- This battery-powered signal lantern was manufactured by the Star Headlight & Lantern Company of Honeoye Falls, New York beginning in the 1950s. The lantern has a metal body with a fixed rubber-coated handle, allowing for better grip during signaling as well as a insulating the handle from electricity. The lantern has sockets for two bulbs; one equipped with a reflector used for signaling and a smaller adjacent socket that makes a focused beam that could be used as a flashlight.
- 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. Hand lantern signals are still used in situations when radio intercommunication is impractical. Specific motions of the lantern convey precise instructions 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
- date made
- 1950-1959
- associated institution
- Louisville and Nashville Railroad
- maker
- Star Headlight & Lantern Company
- ID Number
- 1985.0552.03
- accession number
- 1985.0552
- catalog number
- 1985.0552.03
- 85.0552.03
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Railroad Hand-Signal Lantern, 1989
- Description
- This “Conger” model battery-powered signal lantern was manufactured by the Conger Lantern Company of Honeoye Falls, New York in 1989. The Conger Lantern Company originally operated in Portland, Oregon until it was purchased by the Star Headlight & Lantern Company of Honeoye Falls, New York in 1982. The lantern was incredibly popular due to its lightweight, rust-proof stainless steel body and rubber coated handle. The lantern has sockets for two bulbs; the bare bulb with reflector below the lantern body was used for signaling while the smaller adjacent bulb makes a focused beam that could be used as a flashlight. This particular lantern was witnessed to be the last Conger from the Star Company's assembly line, as the company changed to producing their line of plastic lanterns in 1989.
- 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. Hand lantern signals are still used in situations when radio intercommunication is impractical. Specific motions of the lantern convey precise instructions 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
- date made
- 1989-06-22
- maker
- Star Headlight & Lantern Company
- ID Number
- 1989.0610.01
- accession number
- 1989.0610
- catalog number
- 1989.0610.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
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