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'Reflectolite' Strobes
Photos taken at the Portola RR Museum
The model number "6551" is molded into both the Yellowish tint and Amber lenses
of the 6551 Reflectolite strobes. Safety Products had this as the identifier of the model, as
no other tags were seen on the base as in the 52-4. This labeling of the lens is somewhat in
contrast to what the Prime beacons used. Many saw the word "Stratolite" on the dome and assumed this was
the name of the beacon. (The domes are made by another source [Acutek] and "Stratolite" was a trademark for the dome only).
Based on the information provided by the Soo Line Historical & Technical Society, These might be "6551-4" lights also. The "-4" suffix
is in question as to its meaning.
Safety Products Models 52 & 6551 Strobes
52-4 Reflectolite with Yellowish tinted lens
Feather River & Western No. 244 MRS-1 with stack mounted 52-4
Model 52-4 mounted on top of stack pipe
Model 52-4 strobe The base looked like it was chrome plated. It has no taper at the bottom (as do the 6551s) and the lens is secured by a screwdriver tightened band to the base. The springs on the base mount act as shock absorbers. The tag on the base stated:
Volts 74
Amps 1
Model No. 52-4
Serial No. 112
6551 Reflectolite with Yellowish tinted lens
UP No. 6946 DDA40X with roof mounted 6551
The 6551 strobe mounted to roof. There are no springs for shock absorption. The lens is secured to the base by 3 equally spaced right angled brackets. The base has an inward taper at the bottom.
Top of 6551 strobe. The "Saturn" notation's origin was most likely from the units structure in having the ring flashtube encircling the 360° reflector. On the top near the word "Reflectolite" there are remnants of the "6551" molded into the cap. The other notation molded in the cap (encircling center) states "PATENTED & PAT PEND"
6551 Reflectolite with Amber lens
Union Pacific No. 849 GP30 with roof mounted 6551
This is the 6551 with an AMBER lens. Again, the base is tapered towards the bottom, there are no shock absorbing springs in the mounting, and the lens is secured to the base by the 3 equally spaced right angled brackets.
The notation molded in the cap (encircling center) states "PATENTED & PAT PEND" and "6551". The "6551" location is indicated on the photo.
