163B. Off Canal Road / Cross Road, Foleshill, Daimler Green, Coventry, West Midlands With thanks to Dwight for informing me of these Survivors. Attached to buildings that were once part of the vast Edgwick Works belonging to the Albert Herbert Machine Tool Company are several GEC Z8128B 'Clearmain' lanterns, for up to 400 Watt mercury vapour (MA / MB) and 500 Watt GLS (incandescent tungsten filament) lamps. These probably date from the 1960s, although the lantern has its origins thirty years earlier. Although once a thriving company, by the 1970s, it was beginning to struggle in an increasingly competitive world, and collapsed in 1983, with all assets (but not these lanterns) being auctioned off; much of the site was, subsequently, cleared and redeveloped for new uses, though some remnants were left and adapted for use as other companies.
This first example is seen on a building that is to be found at the junction of Canal Road and The Stampings. According to the map on this website, the building served as a laboratory during its ownership with Albert Herbert.
The lanterns all feature tapered glass bowls - the earlier versions featured non-tapering bowls.
A length of Twin & Earth PVC-sheathed cable is seen emerging from the bracket, close to where it bends to support the side-entry lantern. Assuming that this cabling is original, it is another indicator that these are likely to be 1960s' installations.
A small amount of rainwater had become trapped in the lowest portion of the bowl.
A second, identical, installation, was to be found on a corner of the same building.
The brackets are shaped to take the slight upper overhang of the building into account.
Here, the cable is cut just behind the bracket, signifying that the lantern is now disused.
Despite the disuse, the lantern is fully intact and the bowl undamaged.
The Cross Road example is attached to a building clad in corrugated panels that may once have served as part of the canteen and reading room.
Here, the supply cable passes through the full length of the bracket pipe.
A lamp still looks to be present in this lantern.
This area now forms a small industrial estate. Visible beyond the gates was a distinctive reflector fitting attached to another of these wall brackets.
The fact that this fitting is top-entry suggests that this is what could have been fitted to all of the wall brackets originally, with the Clearmains serving as later replacements.
A newer installation comprising a Thorn QC8 8 m sheet aluminium column and Alpha 3 lantern (with the lamp control gear installed remotely) was visible opposite. This was probably installed after the Edgwick Works site closed.
A very short outreach bracket links the column and lantern.
CLICK HERE TO MAKE A MONETARY DONATION
© 2002 - English Street Lights Online