Atlas Alpha-8 twin lamped lantern for 250w/400w MB/SON lamps. An unusual remote-geared twin-lamped lantern dating from the 1960's. The idea of having twin lamps was that prior to a certain time at night the highest wattage lamp, or in some cases both of the lamps, would be illuminated. But beyond a predetermined time, for example, midnight, a special dual action time-switch within the base of the column would switch over to the lowest wattage lamp for single lamp economy running during the early hours of the morning.

The lantern saved for the collection was one of several used in an installation at Marble Arch, London and is happily one of five that have found their way into the hands of collectors from that installation. These lanterns were all fitted with 2 x 400w SON lamps, and although designed for use with mercury lamps, it is thought that these fittings ran SON lamps from new because there is no sign of any 'milking' of the bowls on the survivors - something that would have surely occurred if mercury lamps had been used in these lanterns for any length of time.  My sincere thanks to fellow collector John Thompson for his efforts in saving this unique lantern for me.

The Atlas Alpha-8 is a big lantern as the mobile phone in the foreground demonstrates.

The bowl on the Alpha-8 does not open and is locked into place by nine securing screws.

This long disused Atlas Alpha-8 twin lamped lantern, on its badly-spalling concrete column is situated in Alfreton Road, Derby. This lantern is fitted with both a 250w MB lamp and a 400w MB lamp for dual working, and was one of many that were once used in the City. However, this is now thought to be the only surviving Derby Alpha-8.

Update: This lantern is no longer in the collection, it was disposed of to fellow collector Pete Owen in 2009.