Simplex Solumbra Lantern Installations

Simplex Solumbras were a rare post-top lantern. A couple of designs existed, with the most notable difference being the slimmer and wider canopy variants. They came with a range of lamp-types available, such as 35W SOX, 26W SOX-E, MBF-U and GLS. Despite their rarity, some areas of the UK used them extensively, with some lasting to this day! These were also sold under the REVO branding.

Amington, Tamworth

Used in junction with the 55W Simplex Aries in Amington, are these! The Simplex Solumbra. They are post-top mounted SOX lanterns running 26W SOX-E, 35W SOX, or 80W MBF-U. The following examples are found on cycle-paths. Column T8 on Cycleway 22 is pictured below. This example runs either 26W SOX-E or 35W SOX.

This one has been badly vandalized. It's bowl shattered, and the whole lantern bent about 25 degrees. Despite this, it worked for a while longer. You can see the photocell connection within, leading down toward the columns base, where the gear would be located. As of 2/1/2024, the lantern no longer works, presumably succumbing to the British weather after being exposed.

I did find a piece of bowl on the ground below, and took it as a keep-safe.

Located on Abelia is this... The absolute state of that... It's probably the rustiest column I've seen in service! the column is actually leaning as well, so I reported it. The Solumbra also appears to have a damaged canopy.

I revisited the installation on the warm spring night of 05/05/2024. To my utter shock, it turns out it runs 80W MBFU! The lamp is very dim, likely meaning it is reaching end-of-life. This is one of two Solumbras I noticed to be running 80W MBFU.

The second sub-road on the right in Abelia has a much better example of an 80W MBF-U Simplex Solumbra. I think I've officially found my favourite lantern in Tamworth! I took two images, one showcasing the green-glow of the mercury vapour lamp, and the other colour-corrected to imitate how it actually looked in person. The rest of the column-mounted Solumbras on Abelia run SOX, so they likely ran MBF-U originally before being converted to SOX at a later date.

A 70W SON example was spotted glowing through the trees. I returned in the day and was only able to sight this...

These installations have since been removed. All three were destroyed during removal due to their poor-condition, so saving them was not possible.

Coton Green, Tamworth

More Simplex Solumbras exist in Coton Green, on an endless maze of pathways and alleyways. This one sporting the later-styled canopy!

This is one of many on Littlecote, Coton Green.

When the Sun came out, I managed to get a clearer picture.

The same lantern at night.

Another example photographed, you can see the photocell wires in this one due to the Sunlight coming through the bowl at an angle.

Stonydelph, Tamworth

A slightly random example of a Simplex Solumbra is this later-styled one on a narrow and short stretch of footpath in Stonydelph. It's mounted on an unbranded base-hinged column.