Lionel Trains - Vintage Adlake Kero Railroad Lantern (06/18/2009)

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Lionel Trains - Vintage Adlake Kero Railroad Lantern

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Lionel Trains - Vintage Adlake Kero Railroad Lantern

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Sold Date: 06/18/2009
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Transportation and Vehicles

Vintage Lionel, Adlake (Adams & Westlake) Kerosene Railroad Lantern. Adlake model 300.

Offered for your viewing, and hopefully buying pleasure is this vintage Adlake kerosene lantern with the road name: Lionel. This is a genuine earlier, Heritage Series, Adlake Lantern. This is the bald dome series of Adlake 300 lantern, manufactured post 1969 to about 1980. The later Adlake lanterns were marked Adlake Kero on the dome. It is called a heritage lantern, because it was not commissioned for use in the heyday of vintage railroading, but make no mistake; this is a genuine, made in USA, original Adlake lantern, and not a cheap import, as is so often seen today. Some of the heritage lanterns were made for actual railroads, such as CSX , some were made for tourist railroads, such as the Ma & Pa, who never had their name embossed on an original railroad lantern, and many others were made for railroad clubs and historical associations. This lantern was made to represent Lionel model trains, and not an actual railroad. This is the earlier issue with the bald dome (no Adlake name on the dome), and just the name Lionel on the lid. Later Lionel lanterns had Lionel Lines stamped on the lid. The later Adlake, Lionel lanterns also had an embossed globe, which also had the Lionel Lines logo. These lanterns were commissioned by a few Lionel Train collector clubs. This lantern is the first club issued lantern which was actually made by the Adake Lantern Company, formerly Adams & Westlake, who first started making the short globe railroad lanterns in 1931. This is not a replica, but a genuine Adlake, working kerosene lantern. Made in the USA! Adlake started making these Heritage lanterns in 1965, as the kerosene lanterns were largely phased out for more modern electric lanterns, hence the Adlake Company came up with the brilliant idea to continue making kerosene railroad lanterns, by offering them to tourist railroads, and as a commemorative issues to the mainline railroads, as well a railroad clubs, historical associations and museums. I am fairly certain that this lantern was commissioned and made in 1979. Correct me if I'm wrong please.

Condition : This Lionel lantern is in excellent condition, as can be seen in the photos. The globe is cranberry red, Adlake Kero, embossed, and made by Corning with the NX marking in the horshoe. Beautiful globe! The lantern has a galvanized finish, and is intact. This lantern was lit one time by the previous owner, just for a photo with a vintage Lionel train layout. T is some soot in the chimney, which will clean up nicely with some solvent. It didn't bother me, so I left it as is. You can see by the photos that its a clean lantern, well cared for. The Adlake Kero globe is correct for this early club lantern. The later club lanterns had embossed globes as discussed above.

According to Railroadiana Online, these early Lionel collectors club lanterns were few in number and are a most desirable and sought after Lionel collectible. With this being the earlier first issue Lionel lantern (1979), it commands a premium in the marketplace. The marked Adlake Kero, Corning globes are a desirable railroad collectible as well. Adlake is the only U. S. railroad lantern manufacturer still in business today!

Don't Miss this Rare, highly desirable, Adake / Lionel Lantern! Not too many of these around!

This lantern will be the centerpiece of your Lionel Lines collection!

Buy with confidence. Check my 100% Positive feedback rating with 5 stars across the board!

Shipping is by Priority Mail, at actual USPS rates, to any USA destination. Insurance is optional, but strongly recommended.

Thanks! See You in Gettysburg! Chief.