Local Thorn Alpha 1s

 The Alpha 1 made its first appearance here in the late 1960s and continued to be installed right into the 1980s. It was really the 1970s that its popularity was at its height - almost twenty years since the design was first launched! Many examples still exist all over the City however it is quite a rare lantern in the rest of the county. Every example under Council ownership runs a 90w SOX lamp - though a 55w lamp could also be used.

A number of examples (sadly being removed) can be seen on the Station Rd page of this site.

This Alpha 1 is mounted in the 'Derby Classic' way - with column mounted photocell and horizontal bracket with support webbing below. There is evidence of water ingress in the Opticell but apart from that, this Alpha 1 is in excellent condition.

This Alpha 1 on St Helen's Street is on an 8m Stewart and Lloyd column which would originally have supported an Alpha 3. I would think that the changeover would have happened in the 1980s.

The bracket supporting this Alpha 1 was fitted with an anti-glare shield in 2006/7 - considering that the installation had probably been here for 30-40 years by then, you would think that residents would have accustomed themselves to it by now!

© 2002-2008 Mike Barford