57AF. Off Third Avenue, Crewe Industrial Estate, Crewe, Cheshire With thanks to Dwight for informing me of these Survivors. Installed on the forecourts of many of the business that occupy the northern side of Third Avenue are a number of 10 m sheet steel Stainton columns, all of which support GEC Z9564 lanterns, for 180 Watt SOX (low pressure sodium) lamps. The installations are likely to date from the late 1970s, or early 1980s, and may have all belonged to one company originally, whereas now, they are divided between the different businesses. Sadly, a number of examples are missing their bowls and lamps, while others, while intact, may not have worked for a long time.
This example is at the far end of Third Avenue.
Only the Z9564 canopy remains here - the lantern has been stripped of its lampholder and lamp support, in addition to the bowl and lamp.
A more intact couple of examples exist on the other side of this business's access gates, though as both columns support LED floodlights, the original lanterns are unlikely to work any longer.
Anti-bird spikes have been cable tied to the top of the lantern canopy and the horizontal section of the bracket.
This example has also been given the spike treatment. The lampholder still remains here, but again, the lantern is otherwise stripped.
This example towards the start of the road has an assortment of cables strung between the column and the adjacent building.
The design of the lamp's arc tube support suggests that is an OSRAM product made in-house at the company's former factory in Shaw, near Oldham. As the Shaw factory closed in 2000, and OSRAM lamps were made under licence at the Philips factory in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire after that, the approximate age of the lamp can be determined.
A double-armed example existed behind a car showroom.
Along with more spikes, this Z9564's canopy accommodates a Fisher-Karpark SS4 photocell, which is probably original to when the lantern was installed.
A second SS4 is just visible on the neighbouring lantern. Unlike the smaller Z9554M, which received a revised canopy design that could accommodate a NEMA photocell socket, the Z9564 canopy was never updated, even when photocell provision became widespread, leaving the socket positioned at an angle on the canopy.
Another single-armed column was positioned to the left of this one.
Someone really has a disliking towards all things ornithological!
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