Steve what you have is a caboose lantern,
If there are not any holes in the "fount" AKA the container for the kerosene under the burner and the wick will move up and down to control the flame it would work fine but you'll also want to get the Pyrex chimney that's held in by the four tension springs around the wick all the parts are available online look at Jeppo's railroad lantern page it has links to parts at Krise Depot that has reasonable prices for the parts he also has the history of the lantern how it was used and what the different color lenses represent.
Careful they can be addicting just like anything else....
Take a look at it for any initials such as UPRR, UP, MP etc..
most are marked and it will tell you which railroad yours came from.
Here are a few of mine.
this is the Pyrex chimney that you'll need to keep the flame under control.