134AH. Hall Lane, Ingatestone, Essex With thanks to Dwight for informing me of this Survivor. Situated adjacent the level crossing for Ingatestone Railway Station is a 1950s' 25 ft (8 m) GEC ZP1000 concrete column, complete with the characteristic up-cranked bracket that is often seen attached to this type of column. Fitted to the bracket is a top-entry Holophane 'By-Way Refractor' lantern, for use with medium pressure, vertical burning mercury vapour (MA/V) lamps. With the crossing now lit with dedicated floodlights, this installation is likely to be redundant, but may have been retained, simply because trying to remove it would prove difficult (and expensive), owing to its proximity to the railway lines.

The column stands alongside a series of suspended bells - these would provide an audible warning in the event that a high vehicle attempted to traverse the crossing - the height being restricted by the overhead 25 kHz electrical conductors.

Cracks are forming at either end of the bracket, but the installation is otherwise in good condition for its age, and possible disuse.

The lantern appears to be positioned sideways-on, with the under-bowl refractors being parallel to the carriageway.

Barely visible on the canopy is the identification plate. This indicates that it should face towards the road for correct orientation.

Only a small amount of dirt has gathered in the bowl.

The usual cast aluminium door bearing the GEC logo is fitted to the column.

By chance, the crossing was activated while I was taking the pictures, and a train on Greater Anglia's Great Eastern Main Line came through.

Judging by the verdigris that has formed on the wing nuts used in securing the bowl, they must be of a copper-based metal (probably brass).

A little further down the lane, two pole-mounted GEC Z9533s were to be seen.

This example's supply cable leading from a second fuse box located higher up the pole was hanging loose.

The second pole bracket looked to be slightly newer than the first one was, though the Z9533 would be the same age.

The close-up reveals that the original GEC lamp control gear had been replaced with a Philips electronic ballast, which hadn't been fitted correctly within the lantern, and was plainly visible above the lamp.

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