I heard somewhere that in the 1950s the New York Central experimented with “atomic switch lamps”… it sounded pretty vague, possibly apocryphal, but is it true? I’m guessing that if they did, they probably replaced the kerosene lantern with a swatch of radium paint?
Also, on a related note, does anyone know where I could find conceptual sketches of 50s-era atomic locomotives? I think after all these years an HO model is in order.
I used to get “Legendary Trains” cards with binders (they’d send you 30 each month), but quit because they started to get a bit expensive. There was one talking about the atomic locomotive project and there was a blueprint shown for what they’d look like. I could scan it and e-mail it to you if you like. That would have been really neat if they did build them.
That’d be great - my e-mail is peders1@owc.net
Thanks very much!
The United States Radium Corporation at Bloomsburg,Pa.made a switch lamp that used Krypton-85 gas. I think radium was used to excite the gas to glow but I’m not sure about that. The radioactive light unit went inside the lamp in place of the electric light bulb. The switch lamp itself may have been made by Adlake. It resembles the Adlake No. 1269 model and has the same sprung mounting socket used by Adlake. It had a tag warning not to remain within 12 inches of the lamp . I don’t know if NYC used these. I have seen a picture of one with an industrial locomotive behind it, maybe at the U.S. Radium plant
http://www.messiaen.demon.co.uk/trains/newsteam/modern16.htm
An interesting concept for a modern “atomic steamer”,it’ll never be built,but it’s an intriguing idea.
Inda already has the “atomic” locomotive
according to the dude that built it for them.[;)]
maybe he’ll grace us with a return performance. Trust me, it’ll be good for a laugh.
In order to contain the radioactive core and boiler water he stated that the steel mixed with lead was 12 inches thick.
He was serious about it too.
Now steel and lead can not be mixed (ever)
the boiler being made out of 12" thick steel would be so heavy the engine would have to sit on a concrete pad 6 feet thick so it wouldn’t sink.
now radium in switch lamps is another thing.
I remember when radium was first used to light the face of watches. The company that used the radium had women workers. Poor unfortunate girls used the radium as makeup. (no lie) They liked the nice glow effect at night.[xx(]
Sooblue
Hey, I heard about that story. I think that the companie’s name was Radium Dial. Those crazy broads even painted their teeth with that stuff for a gag. Sadly they died of radiation related illness later. Boy, I cannot wait until the radium switch lamps re appear. Go to throw a switch and guarentee yourself kids with three thumbs. Sweet!
Ken
Sorry I missed that the first time you posted it. I’ve scanned it and e-mailed to you today.
Who knew?
It was such a novelty you know. I have to wonder how many other things happened that no one knows about? [xx(][xx(]
Personally I think that nuclear power shouldn’t be done away with. If we would continue to develop it we may be able to get to the point where it really is safe. If we didn’t have to store fuel rods or worry about radioactive water and what ever it would be a great power source.
But [:)] I guess thats for some other web sight. [;)]
Sooblue
High quality reflective materials appeared about the same time If I were running the railroad and I was faced with the costs of an “Atomic Light” or sticking reflective tape on switch targets at an obscenely lower price, well, I would just go for being obscene.
With on board GPS systems why do you need lights anyway?
Think of how much money would be saved.
Sooblue
I stumbled upon the thread you are talking about awhile ago. It peaked my interest and did some research…I can find no info on the alleged locomotive. Any small reactors create interest…I have to leave it at that.
For me, it’s fusion or bust for me, baby!!!