In looking at some frontal views of steam engine headlights it has come to my attention that the bulbs are clear but the reflectors have a yelowish tint to them. Anybody know the composition of the reflectors that caused this? I suspect perhaps a tin composition but would like definitive knowledge. Thank you
There are many different headlight housings. The ones I have seen in pieces were later (forties era) PRR headlights. The reflector was a mirror plated glass. Turned yellow because of heat from the bulbs over time. The bulbs got very hot that sometimes the front glass turned yellow too.
The early converted from oil headlights had the inside of the housings painted white or silver.
Pete
Actually Pyle-National used a type of uranium glass that they refered to as “Golden Glow” reflector glass (and WE thought they were LEDs.) It may have been developed to be more impact resistant and I’m not real sure of the advantages. They claimed it removed the high frequency light for a less blinding but better illuminating color of light.
A brand new Pyle golden Glow reflector will have the green-yellow tint.
You can look up Uranium glass or sometimes it’s called vaseline glass for the resemblance to that product.
I’ll see if I can dig up a photo of my Pyle back-up lamp. There’s actually a trade mark stamp on it.
Here it is. Cracked but you can see the coloring you are asking about.
Take care, Ed