GWR reproduction full-size signal lamp

A large lamp which can be customised in our small scale production methods to match a wide range of requirements on your heritage railway. 

 

Based precisely on original GWR versions these lamps replicate the form, function and requirements of the original lamps whilst benefiting from the fact they are brand new! The basic design of these lamps were originally customised endlessly by the GWR to various different needs, we can manufacture these lamps in different designs to match your exact requirements.

 

Pictured above we have the lamp finished as both a shunting lamp and as a main stop signal. We can manufacture small batches of these lamps to match your needs and requirements. Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your requirements. 

 

Common Variants:

• Bullseye - Main stop board

• Flat Glass - Shunting signal

• Double Bullseye - Crossing Gate lamp

 

Other unique variants available on request

 

Bullseye - Main stop board

These lamps have a bullseye in the front of them which is used to project light so that in poor visibility crews can see when out on the run whether the section ahead of them is clear or not. The bullseye shines through the lens on the signal whether this is the red or the white. There is also a flat glass at the rear of the lamp that shines through the rear to show the signal is active. The lamp would be mounted behind the signal itself on the post or gantry. 

 

Flat Glass - Shunting signal: 

These lamps have a flat glass lens at the front and the rear. The lens at the rear is there to prove that the shunting lamp is functioning correctly. The front glass is used to shine through a disc signal mounted in front of it.

 

Double Bullseye - Crossing Gate lamp

The crossing lamp has a bullseye mounted to the front and rear of it. This is what shows to the road as the train crosses.

 

Other unique variants available on request

Please contact us with your specific type and needs. 

 

Our product:

Each product takes a substantial amount of time to make and each one requires years of experience and knowledge to craft each component. Every lamp is slightly unique and no two are ever truly the same. All of the tinplate is hand beaten or formed using specialist tools.

 

History:

These reproduction lamps are based on a GWR signal lamp. These were used by GWR and on the western region of British Railways to light up signals. They were historically fitted with a paraffin burner inside. Ours do not come with these, however a historic burner would fit or an LED can be used. 

 

The light went through a clear bullseye in main arm signals or clear flat glass for a shunting lamp. Red bullseyes were used for crossing lamps. The light projected would warn approaching trains whether the section ahead is clear to shunt in or to enter with a passenger train. At crossings this would have also warned cars to stop. These lamps are still in use on many heritage railways based in the western region but would be equally at home in an enthusiast's collection. 

 

Production:

These lamps are produced out of tinplate by a second generation tinsmith Nick. 

Nick is the Norfolk Tinman, he has spent his career working on preserved railways with a wide range of experience of all aspects of locomotive repair. Working for many years as a Fitter at the North Norfolk Railway and volunteering on the footplate as a Driver. He uses his own oil feeders and Tinsmith products on the footplate and we approached him to make a scaled down version of his traditional products. After some time hand cutting and forming the tinplate, Nick produced for us an excellent range of scaled down footplate equipment. 

 

These lamps being produced by hand mean that we are able to offer many different variants. We can also offer this lamp in unique variants to meet your requirements so don't hesitate to get in contact with us for details of what you require. 

If you have one of these lamps and would like it to be restored or would like a second one produced based on your original, don't hesitate to get in contact and we would be happy to assist. We can produce a new lamp with components from your original such as the bullseye, hinges or tinplate panels to your requirements. 

 

Dimensions:

 

Total height:

30cm

 

Maximum Width

18cm

 

Weight:

1.3kg

 

All values are approximate

 

Please note that this item does not come with a burner and is unpainted. If left unpainted/unprotected the tinplate may tarnish or rust.