Thorn Gamma 9 Lantern Installations

This lantern was also known as the BLI Gamma 9. There were three sizes available: short (50.8cm tall for 150W-200W GLS, or 80W-125W MBF), medium (63.5cm tall for 35W-55W SOX or 40W-60W SOX), and large (76.2cm tall for 2x or 4x 40W MCFA/U fluorescent tubes). These were always remote-geared, aside from the large fluorescent version which contained the gear within the lantern.

Stowe Pool, Lichfield

WOW! This lantern is incredibly rare nowadays! And in such great condition (despite the low mounting height). This one was located on a footbridge over Stowe Road, Lichfield. It was oddly-mounted onto a square cross-sectioned "column" which actually appeared to be part of the fencing.

I am totally baffled as to how this installation was in this condition, especially as the other two WRTL SRL 8 lanterns on the footbridge had met a grim end at the hands of vandalism. This had a 160W self-ballasted mercury lamp installed within, and was fed via an AC Ford box on the side of the bridge, but it hadn't worked in two decades due to it having been disconnected from mains supply. It's unknown why the Gamma 9 was not removed during this period, and was subsequently left to rot.

As well as being grubby, this lantern does unfortunately have a large crack up the bowl, and looks to have been taped or sealed at the bottom to prevent the bowl from falling down the column.

Sadly, the Gamma 9 was removed in July 2025, but happily, it was by me! It took over a year to get permission from Lichfield Council to rescue it, so when I did, I made sure it was taken down before anything bad could happen to it. It now sits on my bedroom window, having entered it's long-awaited retirement.