Lamp Lighter

[Bonnyboy]

Not being from around Accrington all my life, I wondered when the council changed over from Gas street lighting to electric. I ask because my grandfather used to be a lamplighter in Dundee, my home town. On many occasions he would take me with him, along with his old collie dog, on his round of an evening. Thing is, this was in the mid to late 60's, I'd be about 5 or 6 years old. Anyone I've talked to on the subject of a similar age to myself rekon they have never seen proper old gas lights on the streets.

[Stanleymad]

My grandfather was lampman on the railways here to colne [usually]

Tho sadly all i know or seen are the electric ones

[beechy]

our next door neighbour was the
lampman on the railways
accrington through to baxenden
think they called it shude hill
that was one hell of a climb many respects to the guy

[Bonnyboy]

The thought of lighting on the railway lines never occured to me. Were the lights all the way along the track or just near switching gear, points and so forth ?

[beechy]

Originally Posted by Bonnyboy

The thought of lighting on the railway lines never occured to me. Were the lights all the way along the track or just near switching gear, points and so forth ?

it was in the days of paraffin lamps all the signals had to be lit
so as to show the correct colour codes

[Bonnyboy]

Originally Posted by beechy

it was in the days of paraffin lamps all the signals had to be lit
so as to show the correct colour codes

Cheers, thanks for clearing that bit up. I can also recall going round with my grandfather one winters evening. They had night watchmen back the to watch over any roadworks which were taking place. The chap would have his own little hut with a fire outside. I clearly remember one old man making a pot of tea and frying some bacon on his fire.

[Bonnyboy]

I can remember the old paraffin lights that were used at roadworks, they were still going through the 70's. Swiped one and had it in my bedroom as a kid.

[Jim Procter]

My Auntie Annie and Uncle Jimmy had gas-lamps in their house at 118 High Street Rishton around 1950. The bracket hung from the centre of the ceiling in much the same way as a modern electric one.The difference was that on the end was a white gas mantle which was lit with a taper from the coal fire .On the bracket was a steel bar with a ring pull chain on each end. If you pulled one chain the gas would flow into the mantle. Pull the other one and the gas supply stopped. The light given off was very poor and the mantle popped all the time particularly if the gas pressure was low.More gas could be obtained by putting a penny in the meter under the stairs.

[Bonnyboy]

Originally Posted by Jim Procter

My Auntie Annie and Uncle Jimmy had gas-lamps in their house at 118 High Street Rishton around 1950. The bracket hung from the centre of the ceiling in much the same way as a modern electric one.The difference was that on the end was a white gas mantle which was lit with a taper from the coal fire .On the bracket was a steel bar with a ring pull chain on each end. If you pulled one chain the gas would flow into the mantle. Pull the other one and the gas supply stopped. The light given off was very poor and the mantle popped all the time particularly if the gas pressure was low.More gas could be obtained by putting a penny in the meter under the stairs.

Thankyou for the insight into some local life in the 50's

[Eric]

Originally Posted by Jim Procter

My Auntie Annie and Uncle Jimmy had gas-lamps in their house at 118 High Street Rishton around 1950. The bracket hung from the centre of the ceiling in much the same way as a modern electric one.The difference was that on the end was a white gas mantle which was lit with a taper from the coal fire .On the bracket was a steel bar with a ring pull chain on each end. If you pulled one chain the gas would flow into the mantle. Pull the other one and the gas supply stopped. The light given off was very poor and the mantle popped all the time particularly if the gas pressure was low.More gas could be obtained by putting a penny in the meter under the stairs.

My Grandma Ashton in Clayton still had gas lighting as late as 1949. I remember the wall mounted lights, upstairs in the back bedroom. As a four year old I was fascinated by them, the hissing and my gran lighting them with a taper. And I remember the penny meters too. We've come a long way. I just hope that we headed in the right direction.

[cashman]

Originally Posted by Bonnyboy

I can remember the old paraffin lights that were used at roadworks, they were still going through the 70's. Swiped one and had it in my bedroom as a kid.

those are a sore point with me, had to fish about 6 out of a trench with about 6" water in near church station.