2ABD. Eastgate / Exchequer Gate, New Boutham, Lincoln Situated near Lincoln's historical Castle and Cathedral are two 1960s' GEC Z8455 post-top lanterns; the Eastgate example being installed on a Stewart & Lloyd 15 ft (5 m) tubular steel column, while the Exchequer Gate example is wall-mounted. Despite the Z8455 being designed for running two or four 2 ft (600 mm) 40 Watt fluorescent lamps, both appear to have been converted to take high pressure sodium (SON) lamps in more recent years, for improved light output. Archival photographs suggest that more Z8455s may have existed around here in the past, and potentially, others may still do, but these were the only ones to be spotted during my brief visit.

The Eastgate example is pictured first.

Unlike my own example, the spigot cap on this Z8455 is designed to fit to a conventional three inch (76 mm) diameter column.

The shadow of the lampholder supporting the SON lamp is visible when viewing the lantern from the other side. As can be seen, the column has a slight lean.

The lantern's glassware is all intact, as are the two Perspex panels containing prismatic refractors in the door and the frame opposite.

The Exchequer Gate example is to be found close to the actual Exchequer Gate that leads to the Cathedral.

The silhouette of the lamp is more clear in this example.

Here, the panel containing the access door faces forwards.

One of the small underside glazing panels is missing here, allowing the bracket supporting the lampholder to be seen.

A period fuse / control box is positioned below the lantern. Today, a modern SELC / Westire photocell controls the switching; however, the box indicates a possible former switching method...

"Rythmatic Control" is cast into the box lid. This system used a frequency-sensitive tuned relay to detect special high frequency pulses that were passed down the mains supply when the light required switching on or off. Although this system is no longer in operation, it is something of the forerunner to the modern Central Monitoring Systems employed by some local authorities today, although this relies on wireless technology, rather than frequency pulses.

This 1978 view of Exchequer Gate, and the Cathedral, doesn't show this Z8455 (it was probably obscured by the bay window of the building in front), but does appear to show a now-removed Z8455 on the corner.

The close-up shows the lantern in slightly clearer detail. Today, CCTV cameras are installed here, while a modern wall-mounted post-top lantern is positioned a little further to the right.

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