33D. Park Estate, Nottingham This estate is notable for the sheer number of Survivors still in situ - seemingly every single street is still lit with gas lanterns, with each unit being switched by a clockwork Horstmann time switch mounted inside the lantern. The columns vary - most are solid cast iron types, while a few Revo columns designed for operating an electric street lighting lantern, and containing a small door in the base, are employed as well.
Two examples are pictured below:
The light output of the lanterns is actually quite good - once your eyes have adjusted to the lower light levels, the result is quite effective:
The gas lighting continued to provide illumination to the Park Estate's roads in 2025. This Revo 'Hull' column was to be found adjacent a roundabout, and was situated between Lenton Road and Tattershall Drive.
One of the two gas mantles fitted was dayburning when pictured.
The close-up reveals that there is provision for a maximum of four separate gas mantles within this lantern, although two of the positions are blanked off, out of use.
The columns use bespoke doors that feature the initials NCLD - Nottingham Corporation Lighting Department.
One notable installation on the Park Estate is this 5 m 'Jubilee' tubular aluminium column produced by CU Phosco, and supporting a Thorn Gamma 6 lantern. I assume that this was a 1970s' / 80s' replacement for another gas installation, although I am surprised that such a different setup was permitted, given that the Gamma 6 would run an electric light source.
The shallow base casting suggests that if the lantern runs a discharge lamp, any control gear will be situated in the column base, although equally, it may have run an incandescent tungsten filament (GLS) lamp originally, and thus, no control gear would have been required.
The CU logo is cast into the top of the column base.
The following installation sees a return to a more traditional gas light.
Three gas mantles positioned in a linear formation are fitted here.
The majority of the installations are still fitted with Horstmann mechanical time switches. Although they are capable of keeping to time for a few days, they do require winding regularly to ensure that the mechanism keeps operating.
BACK TO SURVIVORS IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
CLICK HERE TO MAKE A MONETARY DONATION
© 2002 - English Street Lights Online