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, I 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.

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.