208E. Off Bourges Boulevard, Millfield, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire Situated on a piece of land between some business premises and the wide expanse of adjacent railway lines are two 25 ft (8 m) concrete columns; possibly, Broadcrete products, both supporting ELECO 'Silver Ray' side-entry lanterns, for 250 - 400 Watt MBF (mercury vapour) lamps. ELECO launched the first version of this lantern in 1957 to take advantage of the then-new MBF lamps in these wattages - the MB-type mercury lamp serving as an improvement on the earlier MA-type medium pressure lamps, which included larger arc tubes, and were much more restrictive in their burning positions, whereas the MB lamps offered a universal burning position. Both columns are in poor condition, and in all likelihood, are abandoned. They probably were erected to provide illumination over part of the railway marshalling yards and depot - back in the 1950s and 60s, these were far greater than exists today.

The more northerly of the two columns has a noticeable lean to it.

The angular bracket has lost much of its concrete at its connection to the column. Whatever has caused the column to lean has also altered the weight distribution, causing the bracket to rotate through 180 degrees.

The Silver Ray lantern, albeit slightly grubby, is intact, and a lamp remains installed within it.

A small amount of water has gathered in the lantern, and then dried out, over time, resulting in the green mark on the inside of the glass refractor bowl.

The second column is obscured by buildings, although the bracket is still facing in its original direction.

The distinctive 'tail' section is an identification feature of these lanterns.

The two installations are seen again from one of Peterborough station's car parks - from this angle, the damaged bracket looks all the more precarious.

Although obscured partially by adjacent tree foliage, the second bracket also shows signs of spalling, when seen in close-up.

< Previous | Next >

BACK TO SURVIVORS IN CAMBRIDGESHIRE

BACK TO SURVIVORS

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A MONETARY DONATION