174AAB. Off Spitfire Way, Buckland End, Tyburn, Birmingham With thanks to Leo Conway for discovering these Survivors. Located behind the Dunlop Aircraft Tyres factory building are two 25 ft (8 m) concrete columns, both supporting side-entry brackets, although the two columns are of different manufacturers, unusually, despite both dating from the 1950s or 60s. The first is a Concrete Utilities' 'Avenue 3D' design, fitted with an 'Arc 2' bracket, and supporting a GEC Z8128B 'Difractor' lantern, from the 'Clearmain' range. The second is a Stanton 8 column, fitted with a D-type cranked bracket, and supporting a GEC Z9554M lantern, which is likely to be a later replacement; perhaps for another Difractor. Whereas the Z9554M would run a 135 Watt SOX (low pressure sodium) lamp, the Difractor was designed for running a 250 - 400 Watt MA/V (medium pressure mercury vapour) lamp, although with this type later becoming obsolete in favour of the more efficient high pressure mercury lamp (MB), if it is still in use, the present lamp type is unknown.
The two columns are seen through a gap in the perimeter security fence. Formerly, this factory was within the much larger Dunlop Tyre factory; of which the distinctive (and now, restored) Fort Dunlop building at the south of the site was the main focal point. The rest of the former factory site is redeveloped for use by other companies in the modern era.
The gap in the Arc 2 bracket fin is where the bolts that fix the bracket to the column locate. Sometimes, this area is in-filled with cement after installation is complete.
The entire lowest section of the bowl is full of rather dirty-looking water.
The close-up of the Z9554M reveals that not only is the bowl broken, but the lamp is missing too. The bracket joint with the column shows signs of slight spalling.
Across the road from the Fort Dunlop site, this Thorn Gamma 6 was seen attached to a 5 m tubular steel column located within the compound for Heartlands Power Station.
BACK TO SURVIVORS IN BIRMINGHAM
BACK TO SURVIVORS IN THE WEST MIDLANDS
CLICK HERE TO MAKE A MONETARY DONATION
© 2002 - English Street Lights Online