Old kerosene lanterns

[Justenuff]

When I was up for vacation this year, we stopped into one of the antique stores downtown Meredith to scrounge around.
Since both my grandfathers were employed by the Rock Island Line in the 30's, 40's and 50's, I am always on the lookout for railroad memorbilia. Most I can't afford, but I always thought that having a couple of signal lanterns that my grandfather would have used would be great.
I took a look at the selection that the store had, of old and somewhat reproduction lanterns, but was shocked by the fact that some of them went for $50. The cheapest was $14.
I was hoping to get a couple, to hang in my outdoor kitchen, but I guess I'll have to look a little farther.
I would love to get a caboose lantern (I think that's what he called it) that was hung on the last car of the train to signal the end. When you are sitting at the crossing waiting for the end of a 2 mile train, it was always a welcome site.