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Suppliers of Locomotive Paraffin Headlamps

Discussion in 'Railwayana' started by ADB968008, Oct 7, 2013.

  1. ADB968008

    ADB968008 Guest

    Hi there

    A friend is looking for an unusual present, they are wanting (1,2 or 3) locomotive headlamps.
    They have tried ebay without any success (lots of tail lamps).

    Needs to be working, no preference of railway company, and it can either be new or original..

    anyone know where to find supplies of locomotive paraffin head lamps ?
     
  2. Platelayer

    Platelayer Member

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    For new head lamps you could try:

    www.footplateequipment.co.uk

    They show all the big four options on their website.
     
  3. Steve

    Steve Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    They also say 'out of stock' - having supply problems, unfortunately.
     
  4. BR Eastern region headlamps come up pretty frequently on eBay. Midland region fairly frequently, Western and Southern region lamps very, very rarely. So he may not find an ER or MR one today, tomorrow or next week... but in the next couple of months one is more than likely to pop up. But loco headlamps are very popular items of railwayana, so he can expect to pay a hefty price - especially for two or three! :eek:

    However, as always, the rule with ebay is caveat emptor. Many dealers and normals sell what they call 'vintage' or 'rare' 'railway lamps' listed, which are nothing of the sort - items described as ' loco headlamps' are frequently from road vehicles or other railway uses, while guards/fogging lamps (which are way more common on there then loco headlamps) tend to be listed at stupid starting prices by dealers trying to make a quick buck from the less acutely aware.

    Incidentally Southern Railway/region guards and fogging maps have a standard lamp bracket fitting on the back, so that's an option (if he's willing to compromise a bit).

    Or perhaps more likely thay're made to order? Of all the stuff John Beesley does, loco headlamps are premium price items - so he won't want to have a load of money invested in stock sitting around on the shelf when orders for loco lamps probably only come in a couple of times a year.

    Having no stock of those and ready stocks of the stuff that costs less to make and shifts more units (like footplate clothing, billy cans and shovels) is just commercial common sense.
     
  5. Steve

    Steve Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    John Beesley sold the business some time ago. The present proprietor is doing his best to solve the present lamp manufacturing problem.
     
  6. jonathonag

    jonathonag Well-Known Member

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    Apologies to bring this thread back up after 4 1/2 years, however I'm wondering if the situation has changed somewhat.

    We're looking at having some Scottish pre-grouping design lamps manufactured for railway/s North of the Border. Would anybody know of a company suitable of doing this?
     
  7. sleepermonster

    sleepermonster Member

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    Have you tried the Hetherington Lamp Company?
     
  8. jonathonag

    jonathonag Well-Known Member

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    Thank you very much for the reply! Have looked up the details of the company and had the chief send of for more information. Looking at the lamps they have already produced, I think what we're looking for wouldn't be too complicated for them.
     
  9. ahardy

    ahardy Member

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    Which lamps are you looking at? I have a drawing for the CR loco headlamp somewhere....
     

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