Midland Railway Loco Headlamp (miniature version)

Midland Railway Loco Headlamp (miniature version)

History:

The miniature midland headlamp is based on a full size midland region headlamp. These were used historically so that locomotives could be seen approaching in the dark. A second use of these lamps was so that the signalmen could see what type of train was approaching and so that they would know where it was going. This is because different routes and types of train had different headcodes. This allowed the signalman to prioritise the correct train and to set points to allow the train to go to the correct place. The lamps would have used kerosene or rapeseed oil. Currently you can use lamp oil (as we have) or you could use kerosene depending on what is available to you. In preservation they are used daily to signify the type of train. For evening services or in foggy conditions they are used on heritage railways where they are lit and used in a similar way to how they would have been used historically. 

 

Production:

These 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. 

 

Uses:

These lamps would be appropriate for use on a Tinkerbell locomotive, Romulus locomotive, other similar 7 ¼ “ gauge locomotives, or any other miniature locomotive up to 15” gauge. These lamps come with an optional burner but they can be supplied without a burner so you could add LEDs to light the lamp instead.

These lamps have the alternative that they could be bought as a gift for a railway enthusiast to have in their house within a smaller space.  

A burner is an extra £25 

 

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 forms are hand beaten or formed using specialist tools with some processes utilising folders and tools where possible.

 

Statistics:

 

Total height

23cm

 

Maximum width

11cm

 

Weight

1.2kg

 

All values are approximate

 

Caution when holding a lit lamp must be taken and the lamp should be held by the handle to avoid burns from the hot surface of the lamp. 

 

No fuel is provided with this product. You will require lamp oil if you purchase a lamp with a burner in order to light the burner.