JeffPo's SOO Line Lantern Page
Last update: 11/05/13
This Adlake lantern was used by the SOO Line Railroad. The frame of the lantern is stamped SOO LINE.
The amber globe (officially yellow) is also etched with SOO LINE. The amber/orange globe means it could have been used to mark camp cars (for workers staying overnight), or for notifying the train engineer that there were Form 19 orders to pick up. Form 19 orders are "hooped" (affixed to a stick with a hoop on it that the engineer could put his arm through to grab it) up to the engineer and conductor once the train is underway. People tending the railroad track switches also used amber globed lanterns for signaling.
SOO Line Railroad
The Soo Line Railroad is a subsidiary of the Canadian Pacific Railway. It was
incorporated in 1949 in Minnesota as the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic
Railroad, The present name came about in 1961, when the Soo Line was formed
by the consolidation of the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railroad and
Wisconsin Central Railroad. It is actually named for the Minneapolis, St.
Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad (MStP&SSM), which was commonly known as
the Soo Line after the phonetic spelling of Sault.
While it had passenger service prior to 1961, most of that was eliminated by
the merger to form the company. Today the company's main line begins at
Portal, North Dakota on the Canadian border, and extends southeast to
Minneapolis and St. Paul. It also runs into Chicago and Detroit. Major
branches include a connection from the border at Noyes to Glenwood,
Minnesota