While most of us are limited to the visible spectrum, people with a condition called aphakia possess ultraviolet vision. Aphakia is the lack of a lens, due to surgical removal for cataracts or congenital defects.
A railroad lantern and a railroad lamp are two different things. Lanterns were designed to be portable (i.e. carried) and were basically globes surrounded by a metal frame with a fuel source. When you think of a railroad worker swinging a signal, think lantern.
Within eight years his lamp was in use in 20 railroads in the US and on two foreign railroads (4). In 1896 George Pyle, who had been associated with Pierce in the National Company, adapted and elaborated on the newly developed steam turbine for use with the headlight. He also developed a simpler arc light.