Erik Wightman and Jason Sanford are pleased to announce that Western Railroad Americana will be handling Mike Moore’s lifetime collection of railroad lanterns.  Mike was a dear friend of ours and we are grateful that his family has entrusted us in making sure his legacy lives on by finding new caretakers for some of his most prized possessions.  Thank you to all of our friends and customers for your support over the years and making sure Mike’s legacy lives on.  We look forward to helping you add that special piece to your collection.  You will be missed Mike, highball!

Mike Moore of Peoria, Arizona passed away March 16, 2023 at the age of 71.  Michael Earl Moore was born on August 26, 1951 in Houston Texas. He graduated from New Mexico State University, Las Cruces with a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry.  He worked for Ford Motor Company, Procter & Gamble, went on to work for Diversey Wyandotte for many years before striking out with his own company, Team Systems which he successfully ran until his retirement in 2017. Shortly afterward he moved to Peoria, AZ where he enjoyed his remaining years with many new friends, activities, and clubs.

Mike traveled extensively throughout his life, his favorite destinations being Alaska and Hawaii. He was passionate about old cars, trains, and airplanes. He was an active member of the Elks Lodge and the Road Runner’s car club.

Most importantly, Mike was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Mike was passionate about life and a great friend to anyone who knew him.  We are grateful and honored to be working with Mike’s family and that they have entrusted Western Railroad Americana in handling his impressive collection of railroad lanterns.  We look forward to assuring Mike’s collection is passed onto the next generation of collectors who will appreciate and cherish these pieces of history as much as he did.

The collection consists of 90 high quality lanterns from all over the country and includes some true rarities that have not been available publicly for many years.  There is a fine selection of both Eastern and Western lanterns. 

If you are interested in becoming the next caretaker for an item in Mike’s collection, please subscribe to our e-mail list below.  The catalog will be sent to our e-mail list and all lanterns are available on a first come, first served basis.

The catalog will be available July 14th at 4pm Mountain Time!

Some of the highlights include:

• Santa Fe Prescott and Phoenix red cast extended base globe, one of three known!
• Union Pacific 1882 brasstop wire bottom lantern with a red cast extended base globe
• Union Pacific 1889 lantern with a clear cast extended base globe
• AT&SFRR 1882 brasstop bellbottom lantern
• Santa Fe red cast extended base logo globe
• Santa Fe green cast CNX logo globe
• Colorado Midland green etched extended base globe
• Colorado and Southern clear cast extended base globe with the large serif lettering
• FtW&DCRy clear cast extended base globe
• SAU&G “The Sausage Line!” lantern
• Texas Midland lantern
• Arizona Eastern Railroad lantern
• Virginian Railway lantern with a clear cast extended base globe
• ACL Kasey lantern with a clear cast extended base globe
• NYC&HRR brasstop bell bottom lantern with a clear cast globe
• L&NRR red cast extended base globe
• Texas and Pacific brasstop bell bottom lantern with an amber cast extended base globe
• Texas and Pacific green cast extended base globe 

Other roadnames represented:

A EXP CO, A&NR, ACL, AERRCO, ALASKA RR, AT&SFRR, AT&SFRY, BA&P, C OF G RY, C&SRY, CC&ORY, CM&STPRY, CNO&TPRY, COLO MID RR, CRR, DT&I, EP&NE, EP&SW, FECRY, FRISCO, FRISCO SYSTEM, FTW&DCRY, GaRR, GC&SFRY, GH&HRR, H&TCRR, I&GN, I&GNRR, KCM&O, KCM&ORY OF TEX, KCSRY, KCSYCO, L&A, L&NRR, LA&T, MD&GRR, MK&TRR, ML&TRR&SSCO, MONON ROUTE, MOPAC, MP, NC&STLRY, NPRY, NS LAKE DIVISION, NYC&HRRR, P&SFRY, SA&AP, SANTA FE “A”, SANTA FE “G”, SANTA FE “S”, SANTA FE, SANTA FE ROUTE, SAU&G, SD&ARY, SFP&P, SORY, SOU RY, SPCO, SPLA&SLRR, SRY, STLSWRR, STLSWRY, T&BVRY, T&NORR, T&P, T&PRW, T&PRY, T&PRYC, TEXAS MIDLAND, UNION PACIFIC, VIRGINIAN, W RY OF A