Thorn Gamma 6 Lantern Installations

I love the Gamma 6. There isn't many left around anymore. When you find one, it feels like a capsule of nostalgia.

Glascote Heath, Tamworth

There's a few locations in Tamworth where they remain. This cannot be said for this example on a footpath in Glascote Heath. Unfortunately it's column was removed and replaced with a 6m hinged column with a Holophane V-Max mounted post-top.

Two Gates, Tamworth

But fear not! Along Blackwood Road, Two Gates, lots of Gamma 6s can be seen in a mix of CU Phosco P107s. They all seem to have a wide canopy and it's highly likely that the Gamma 6s here replaced failed P107s. They run a mix of 26W and 35W SOX. The sunset refracting through the bowl gives the illusion that it is day-burning, when, in fact, it is not.

Tamworth Town Centre

More Gamma 6s are available to view outside of Odeon Cinema in Tamworth Town Centre. Most are in okay-condition except one.

This example (previously running an elliptical 50W SON lamp) had it's bowl obliterated back in 2022 and it's canopy was mangled by hooligans. Despite this (with it's wide canopy) it is still very recognisable as a Gamma 6. The lamp does not work anymore.

The rest of the Gamma 6s here all run 50W SON like the previous example.

The now-derelict Franky & Benny's and Still-running Odeon Cinema car park is encompassed by a footpath, lit by WRTL 2600s and Thorn Gamma 6s. I started at the end opposite Lidl, and travelled down the footpath, snapping pictures of the lanterns. To see the WRTL 2600 pictures, see the WRTL 2600s page. The first Gamma 6 I photographed is pretty ordinary. Unlike the 2600s on this pathway, the Gamma 6s seem to be working fine. This one operates on a Zodion (SS4?) Photocell.

The remaining Gamma 6s are located on the rear end of the path (towards the back of the car park). These all currently work.

A small crack is visible in this one's bowl, probably the most damage that they've suffered (minus the one on the adjacent pathway with a smashed bowl).

The feeder pillar is located at the end of the pathway just before you head under the underpass.

Amington, Tamworth

A pair of slim-canopied versions of the Gamma 6 exist on a footpath leading to Amington. The first one has the later-made (1990s), thin canopy with a Zodion SS6 photocell fitted on-top, where-as the other Gamma 6 has the thicker (1980s) canopy and is nearly identical to my own Gamma 6.

Wilnecote, Tamworth

A footpath joining to Lowdham supports a Gamma 6, which survived the LED replacements of that pathway. I hope I can save this one if it's awaiting a column replacement. It's still the 1980s style gamma 6, but it has a NEMA socket instead of a two-part photocell like my own Gamma 6. It may also run a different lamp.

Shuttington

In the nearby village of Shuttington, is a solitary Gamma 6.

It is unknown what lamp the lantern runs, but if I had to guess: SOX 35W or SON 50W.

Lichfield

We now jump over to Lichfield for our next example. Located opposite the Tesco Express on Netherstowe, is this Gamma 6. It has the 1980s-styled taller top canopy, and is remote-geared. It's bowl is also horrifically yellowed.

A similar, remote-geared installation can be sighted along Swan Road, in one of the house's gardens. This Gamma 6 sports the wider canopy style.