Simplex Aries (55W) Lantern Installations

The Simplex Aries comes in two versions, 26/35W SOX and 55W SOX. The easiest way to identify them is by the length of the lantern. The 55W version is noticeably longer than the 26W version, owing to the larger size of the SOX lamps. This lantern can come in either remote-geared or integral-geared versions, though the integral-geared version is quite rare. The canopy is made from GRP (fibreglass) with the bowl being composed from poly-carbonate. Finding one of these in good condition is extremely unlikely. Due to the materials they are made of, the GRP canopy is almost always tarnished, and the bowl yellowed. These lanterns are side-entry only and often accommodate 26W or 35W lamps, despite being made for the longer 55W ones.

Amington, Tamworth

Amington use the longer 55W version of the Simplex Aries to light up their residential streets. They mostly run 26W SOX-E or 35W SOX, however.

These use Zodion SS6 photocells, and are remote geared with the gear situated in the column's base.

The lantern seen in the previous three images has since failed, and been replaced by a Philips XGS103 running 26W SOX-E. I was very close to saving this lantern but was on my way to the Train Station to pick up my partner, so I decided against it. Besides, I already have three of them!

Column T18 of Abelia was captured on a warm spring night of 2024, running it's 26W SOX lamp.

T19 on the same-stretch of road was photographed a few days later during the day.

Followed by column T10:

Column T29 had suffered some damage to the bowl. As a result, it had been secured with a decent wrapping of electrical tape.

These installations were all replaced in April of 2024.

Coton Green, Tamworth

A similar situation can be seen on the streets branching off Buckingham Road. These 55W Simplex Aries are on 5m Stanton and Staveley concrete columns, with the same outreach bracket that the Amington examples boast.

I encountered a day-burning Aries on Littlecote, Coton Green. It was running 26W SOX.

Not far away, the street of Lorton supports a Simplex Aries on a 5m Stanton & Staveley concrete column.

It runs 26W SOX-E.

Dosthill, Tamworth

Column T4 of Arkle was struck in 2024 and knocked down. The installation was identical to the Amington examples: a 5m concrete column with a short outreach bracket. A cone was placed over the base of the column.

The column's impact mark was still visible on the concrete.

Two pieces of GRP, two pieces of lamp-holder and two pieces of bowl were found around where the lantern would have hit the ground.