Local Thorn Alpha 4s

 The Alpha 4 first appeared here in the late 1970s-early 1980s and was still being installed in 2005. It was popular in both its 90w and 135w SOX versions; with both the gear-in-base and gear-in-head versions of the latter. It has been used on new installations and for replacements of older lanterns. Its popularity kept the Philips MA range in second-place which must be something of an achievement!

This 90w example can be seen on St Helen's Street opposite BBC Radio Derby. In fact, this column (35180) is frequently mentioned by presenters on the station as it is one of the few things that can be seen from the studio windows! The gym behind the column has since been demolished.

This 90w example in Willington is mounted at the unusual height of 6m.

This Alpha 4 replaced a damaged Alpha 1 around the 5th November 2002.

This 135W remotely geared Alpha 4 has been fitted with the bowl from a GEC Z9554 - from the ground, this actually appears to be quite a good fit!

This 135w gear-in-head Alpha 4 on Derby's old Nottingham Rd is on a column which would originally have supported an Atlas Alpha 8.

This soon-to-be-removed 135w example is on Rykneld Rd. From the angle the photograph was taken at, it appears that the Holophane Syracuse Medium (QSM) is mounted post-top to the existing column. This is not the case - a new column has been erected for the new lantern!

© 2002-2008 Mike Barford