Philips SGS306 Lantern Installations

The Philips Trafficvision was an iconic post-top or side-entry SON lantern. Lamps up to 150W were admissible in the small version (SGS305), whereas the larger SGS306 was built for lamps of 150W and above. The SGS306 had unique contact points allowing for the complete removal of the gear-area without disconnecting any wires, something not often seen on lanterns. Despite this intelligent design, these lanterns often suffered water intake issues after about a decade.

Birmingham

The following examples are installed along Bromford Lane, Birmingham, on: single, double, and triple arm brackets.

The left example here appears to have a radio node fitted, but the right example runs off a photocell (if the node doesn't control both, that is).

This triple Trafficvision installation is located on the junction between Bromford Lane and an industrial site.

One of them has a rather-large chunk missing from the back portion of its bowl.

This SGS306 on Boulton Middleway would have replaced a failed Philips SGS203.

Along Boulton Middleway (just before Key Hill Circus) is quite the variative mix of SON lanterns. We have:

4x Philips SGS203s,

1x Indal Airtrace 2,

1x Phosco P220/4,

1x Philips SGS306 (flat-glass)

and 1x Philips SGS306 (deep bowl)

The nearest Trafficvision's gasket has failed.

But there are more SGS306s here! The previous two photos were taken from Hockley Hill, but turning around, I was greeted with even more Trafficvisions.

On the A4040 and Stoneleigh Road junction is this all-too-familiar sight when it comes to Trafficvisions (specifically the larger SGS306).

The mounting-bar often not being tightened enough (or gradually loosening) combined with its position at the very bottom of the lantern, and the high windage of the large Trafficvisions meant when caught in high winds they would often tilt to one side.

Burton-upon-Trent

These SGS306s are positioned either-side of Shobnall Road. I would imagine they run 150W SON lamps. They are mounted post-top, with the lanterns being angled upwards slightly to throw more light onto the road.

The Trafficvisions continue around the roundabout that connects Shobnall Road to Parkway.

The one central in the image above does not have a significant angle like the others.

The setup is similar on the opposite side of the roundabout: one twin-arm column and a post-top Trafficvision without an angle.

Crewe

The car park off Richard Moon Street is home to an unusual pair of SGS306s used as floodlighting for said car park.

At least one is fitted with a SON-E lamp. Notice they are technically fitted post-top here - the bracket being made of a metal plate and two metal pipes.

Tamworth

The Philips SGS 306 "Trafficvision" was seen here commonly, however about 30% of them didn't work - Much like this one on the A5. The LEDs shone brightly in the background whilst this wounded SGS306 sat silently in the dark, awaiting its inevitable removal. It used to run 150W SON. A Phosco P862 took its place roughly one year after this photograph.

A better view of the same lantern at night time reveals the gasket-seal was hanging loose, likely the cause of death for this mouldy Trafficvision. Well, the resulting water damage was!

This example was one of the few to still burn brightly throughout the night, showing us it's 150W SON glow in all it's magnificence.

Infact, on the 31/01/2024 I noticed it was still going during the day!

This Trafficvision was at Tamworth Train station, and looked to be lop-sided. A tall (~12m) mounting height means more exposure to wind, which may have pushed the lantern to one side. This installation was replaced in February 2024. I did ask if any lanterns were available but they were sadly already gone. The lantern on the other end of the bracket is a Thorn Alpha 2000.

A rather out-of-place Trafficvision (SGS306) is located on Buckingham Road, Coton.

It was put up in 2019 when an SGS201 and it's column were crashed into.

The same lantern at night.