GEC Z8260 Lantern Installations
This lantern was also sold as the Clearside Z8260. They could run 2x20W or 2x40W MCF tubes. They were the last fluorescent side-road street lantern designed by GEC, marking the end of an era. The lantern was a revised version of the Z8256, having been designed for side-roads, security lighting, or industrial roads. They also saw wide-spread use around the UK's rail network, including stations and depots.
Long Eaton
Redundant columns line the remains of an old access road to a railway depot (DB Cargo UK, Toton TMD). They vary massively in age, with some base-hinged abacus columns (very few of which still have lanterns) and two wooden powerlines with GEC Z8260 lanterns attached via brackets. The old access road can be seen on the map here, having lead up to where the old loco shed was.
Neither of the Z8260s are in any-kind of operable condition nowadays, with the canopies and some rogue wires being all that are left due to vandalism and weather damage. This first Z8260 has adopted a defence mechanism of turning on it's bracket to protect the internals. Sadly, it appears it did so too late - or as a result of said vandalism!
The second lantern is facing the right way, but is in much the same condition as the first. GEC's iconic wire-clamp is visible, as well as the last lamp-holder hanging precariously on one of the wires. The gear-trays are missing from both lanterns.
Nottingham
This antiquated installation is located just outside of Nottingham Railway Station, having been left to it's own devices, likely due to the unnecessary difficulty in changing the lantern to an LED.
Although, mucky, the installation appears intact. It's precarious-positioning has protected it from vandalism or damage, unlike the Long Eaton examples.
The other side of the bridge provided quite a nice view of the lantern, surrounded by nature and railway tracks. This view also fully reveals the abacus base-hinged column that it sits upon.
Two EOL (indicated by the black tube ends) lamps are installed within.
