Thorn Alpha 1 Lantern Installations

These incredible lanterns were perhaps among the most distinctive lanterns ever produced. They contained an opticell which won an award for containing the first hermetically sealed and injection-moulded optic for any street light. These lanterns were always remote-geared, side-entry, and were available for 55W or 90W SOX.

Birmingham

A couple of Alpha 1s exist in Birmingham, but one is in a precarious position meaning it is difficult to photograph. That said, we did travel to the other one that I am aware of, located on Steel Bright Road. It's unknown why this lantern was left behind, as the rest of the columns on this road have been fitted with LED lanterns.

A 90W SOX lamp is fitted within the opticell.

Derby

A set of derelict Alpha 1s exist along a private farm lane off the B5010. These are all in extremely poor condition, with all of them having been reduced to nothing but the back castings.

This example is hidden in the trees, but is missing its bracket. The lean could indicate an impact from a vehicle.

The bracket (and remains of the lantern) were lying in the grass below the column.

The lantern and bracket are still attached to the following example, with the lamp-holder hanging on by a thread!

Another installation on the road:

Through a clearing in the trees, another example with a dangling lamp-holder was visible.

There's another Alpha 1 visible in the background of the below photo:

The brackets are all cracked or spalling to some degree, and this is one that has actually lost much of its concrete later around the column and lantern attachments.

Loughborough

An odd installation of an Alpha 1 exists on Lisle Street. Some houses existed here previously according to historic maps, but some time after these were knocked down, an Alpha 1 was installed to light that section of the street; it's an odd choice for area lighting.

It was initially spotted from the adjacent canal, with this being the view:

This close-up reveals this is an Atlas example of the Alpha 1. Most of the Opticell is smashed, less than one-quarter of it is left, with the lamp hanging precariously out of the fixture.