Thorn Beta 2 Lantern Installations

The Thorn Beta 2 was the longer version of the Thorn Beta 5. This was so it could accommodate 55W SOX or 36W SOX-E lamps. The canopy was made from aluminium, and a thin (newer) canopy or an (older) thicker canopy were available. The lantern was side-entry only, and thus could be occasionally seen with post-top adaptor brackets, but was most commonly seen with short hockey-stick brackets.

Blackwood Road, Tamworth

The thorn beta 2 is not a popular SOX lantern here, only a few locations support them (excluding privately owned installations) and one is on Blackwood Road (T21), a replacement for a downed Simplex Aries and it's column.

A closer look at the lantern reveals it's striking resemblance to the Thorn Beta 5. The Thorn Beta 2 is the longer version of the Beta 5, this is so it can accommodate 55W SOX or 36W SOX-E.

County Drive, Tamworth

So what might a road lined with them look like? Well, let's head to County Drive, Tamworth! Here, a mix of Philips MI36s and Thorn Beta 2s line the road! The following pictures were taken during an emergency trip to the estate. Why, you may ask? Well, the Holophane S-lines were making their appearance! This road's LED replacement was due to be completed sometime around when the pictures were taken, so I had to get there quickly. I had been staying in temporary accommodation near the road since the 14th December 2023, meaning trips here didn't take long at all! Talk about good timing! 

This is column 43. It supports a Beta 2 which is soon to be swapped for a Holophane S-Line!

Tamworth Town Centre

In Tamworth Town Centre, on a footpath behind MacGregor Tithe, exists this beta 2. What makes this example notable is that it (along with two WRTL 2600s) has been retrofitted with an LED cob lamp.

The bowl looks to have either fallen loose or not been closed properly, with the clip barely hanging onto the bowl.

The same lantern at night:

The lantern began cycling, and then stopped working completely in February of 2024. It was replaced a few months later.

Whittington Barracks

These Beta 2s litter Chester Road, Whittington Barracks. This won't be for long. Evidence of their inevitable replacement is visible in the form of new columns fitted with CU Phosco E950 lanterns.

Oddly, these lanterns run 26W SOX-E, and the lamp-support hasn't even been moved! This leaves the lamp to hang freely in the lantern, with nothing but the lamp-holder keeping it in place.

Britannia Way, Lichfield

A mix of Beta 2s and Beta 5s can be spotted on a private site on Britannia Way. They run a mix of SOX and LED lamps.

A day-burning LED example can be seen through the fence. It supports the thicker (older) canopy.