I am looking for a source of flags suitable for train service. These would be the typical 12” X 12” cotton bunting flags. The staffs are not needed as we can make them in the Museum’s shop. All the sources I have tried want to provide synthetic cloth. This does not have the appearance suitable for a museum, and does not do well in the wind when used on a locomotive. Does anyone know of a good source for traditional railroad flags? Note that what is desired is bunting, not just colored cotton cloth.

I recently bought a sewing machine and tried remember how to sew. I made a couple of extra flags for my grip and a set of canvas cab awnings for weather protection. You can easily find a suitable cloth at any craft store, as well as the wooden dowels you will need to mount them.

Ask around if your coworkers know or have family that knows how to sew, it may be your best option aside from a sewing or mending shop.

I've had good luck with the cotton US flags I purchase from McMaster Carr; American made, well stitched, and can be counted on to last almost a year, flown 24/7 with a spotlight. While I don't see the traditional RR flags in McMaster's catalog, I suspect their supplier can still make them. It's worth a call or e-mail, MacMaster is good for quoting on items they don't carry.

If that doesn't work, I can run the flag down the staff tomorrow and find out who made it, I know it had a label on it. Since the outfit makes US flags, they should have all the colors you need, unless you plan on running second sections, and I imagine the company makes Irish and Mexican flags, too .

I wonder if he's asking about classification flags, you know, the white and green ones? His 12"x12" dimension makes me think so.

Walt L.

Yes, Dave is looking for classification flags.

The issue is finding the historically correct fabric.

I have several from the 50' and70's they appear to be from broadcloth 100 percent cotton. This material is available from most fabric stores I last bought some at a local Joanns fabrics store

Well, yeah. White and green classification flags, red markers, and blue Rule 26 flags. The man says he wants "cotton bunting" the exact definition of which I'm not familiar. I buy US flags that are "two ply cotton." Same stuff? Well, I don't know, but it's not synthetic. Do you suppose a long time flag manufacturer here in the US might know what the typical RR spec was back in the day? Do you suppose they could even whip them up if they still use the same material? I figured it was worth a try.

If not, I bet he could get a couple of extra flags out of the Illinois state flag, and some nifty markers from the P.R.C. flag. Or, buy the flag of Poland and get a pair of each.

I found suitable red, green, blue, and white table napkins for this use at both Target and Bed Bath and Beyond. Then attached them to dowels cut to length.