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What was it's purpose?

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  • Member since
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  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, January 20, 2024 8:46 PM

I sorry to say Rich, but it is obvious the seller has led you down the garden path with a mistaken description, not uncommon with those unfamiliar with the importance of the proper use of nomenclature.
 
Cheers, the unrepentant Bear.LaughLaugh
 
PS. Being a magnanimous sort of chap, I will offer you a small glass of “Ratu” to ease the pain of defeat.

Sorry Bear, but I am working on a Rusty Nail as we speak.

Drambuie trumps Ratu every time.

Rich

Alton Junction

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  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
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Posted by gmpullman on Saturday, January 20, 2024 8:01 PM

 Inspectors Torch by Edmund, on Flickr

 

Cheers, Ed

  • Member since
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  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
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Posted by "JaBear" on Saturday, January 20, 2024 7:13 PM
I sorry to say Rich, but it is obvious the seller has led you down the garden path with a mistaken description, not uncommon with those unfamiliar with the importance of the proper use of nomenclature.
 
Cheers, the unrepentant Bear.LaughLaugh
 
PS. Being a magnanimous sort of chap, I will offer you a small glass of “Ratu” to ease the pain of defeat.

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, January 20, 2024 6:16 PM

I rest my case. Please pass the Fiji War Bonds. I will take all of them, thank you.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
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  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
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Posted by "JaBear" on Saturday, January 20, 2024 5:57 PM

richhotrain
ooh, maybe I win those Fiji War Bonds.

No!!!
richhotrain
JaBear must be hibernating.
 
No, it’s a balmy Sunday summer early afternoon, the current temperature sitting at 77°F.Paradise
richhotrain
Or, licking his wounds.
No!!! There are no wounds to lick!!
The Bear stands firm, and this video, with not an Oil wick Lamp/Torch in sight, is on what he rests his case...
 
 
Cheers, the Bear (who also suffers from “Brain Leaks” but not this time, I think, or...???!!!) ConfusedConfused

 

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

  • Member since
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  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, January 20, 2024 4:06 PM

jacon12

Thanks fellas for the information.  Looking at the photos in the links it looks to be an inspection torch because of the wick seen in the spout.  I suppose someone could also use it as an oiler for lubing hard to reach spots on the locomotive.

Jarrell

 

ooh, maybe I win those Fiji War Bonds. JaBear must be hibernating. Or, licking his wounds.

Rich

Alton Junction

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  • From: US
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Posted by jacon12 on Saturday, January 20, 2024 1:39 PM

Thanks fellas for the information.  Looking at the photos in the links it looks to be an inspection torch because of the wick seen in the spout.  I suppose someone could also use it as an oiler for lubing hard to reach spots on the locomotive.

Jarrell

 HO Scale DCC Modeler of 1950, give or take 30 years.
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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, January 20, 2024 8:14 AM

So, are all 3 of us correct?

I need to win those Fiji War Bonds.

 Wink

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
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Posted by gmpullman on Saturday, January 20, 2024 5:55 AM

And on the railroad the car knockers and roundhouse engine crews and boilermakers would use them to help find air leaks. Sometimes it was too noisy to hear a leak but the oil torch would flare up in the presence of an air leak. Some were on long handles for reaching below the boiler or under cars without having to crawl all the way under the car.

https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/nmah_1213000

A different type of torch here but it shows the idea:

 

Somewhere I came across a similar video that actually demonstrated how the leak was found. I need to find the leaks in my memory Whistling

Cheers, Ed

  • Member since
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Posted by "JaBear" on Friday, January 19, 2024 11:30 PM

richhotrain
It's a feed wick oiler.

Close, but no cigar! (or Fiji War Bonds).Whistling
 
It’s an Oil-Wick Lamp.
 
 
Cheers, the Bear.Smile

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Friday, January 19, 2024 9:48 PM

It's a feed wick oiler.

The wick provides a controlled amount of oil.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    November 2002
  • From: US
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What was it's purpose?
Posted by jacon12 on Friday, January 19, 2024 9:44 PM

A friend owns this and he doesn't know exactly how it would have been used back in the day.  He doesn't think it was for lubrication because it has what seems to be foam wicking in the spout.  Maybe a torch of some kind?

 

 HO Scale DCC Modeler of 1950, give or take 30 years.

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