It's a shame that this very rare lens is damaged as I haven't seen one since they removed the SGEs from Manor House in north London back in the very early 70s. I can remember that the light when lit always look bluer that normal green lenses. I'm not quite sure if red and amber lenses where also made like this. This light also has the flame on the top which I only ever saw on SGEs in the west end of London.
Rare SGE traffic light on eBay
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Rare SGE traffic light on eBay
This traffic light is up for sale if you have £1,000 going spare. What really caught my eye is the green (blue) lens which is of the sort I have mentioned in previous threads which is what the Americans call a smiley lens. I think the idea was that the Fresnel lens was cut differently in the lower area to make the signal more visible when up close and therefore below it. Similar arrangements can be seen on older railway signal lenses with a quadrant so cut to enable the driver to see the aspect when close to it.
It's a shame that this very rare lens is damaged as I haven't seen one since they removed the SGEs from Manor House in north London back in the very early 70s. I can remember that the light when lit always look bluer that normal green lenses. I'm not quite sure if red and amber lenses where also made like this. This light also has the flame on the top which I only ever saw on SGEs in the west end of London.
It's a shame that this very rare lens is damaged as I haven't seen one since they removed the SGEs from Manor House in north London back in the very early 70s. I can remember that the light when lit always look bluer that normal green lenses. I'm not quite sure if red and amber lenses where also made like this. This light also has the flame on the top which I only ever saw on SGEs in the west end of London.
Re: Rare SGE traffic light on eBay
Well the item didn't sell and has now dropped to £500. Still out of my range but hopefully someone will buy and restore this signal.
Re: Rare SGE traffic light on eBay
Yeah, that would be very nice. I wonder if others have survived? They were still plenty about well into the '80s.
I recall talking to a Plessey engineer who mentioned the green light bulb was actually yellow with the blue lens.
The amber light was always a nice golden colour too.
£500 is well outside my price bracket too. Hope an enthusiat does obtain and restore it.
There's plenty of interest in old streetlighting but traffic lights often get overlooked.
I recall talking to a Plessey engineer who mentioned the green light bulb was actually yellow with the blue lens.
The amber light was always a nice golden colour too.
£500 is well outside my price bracket too. Hope an enthusiat does obtain and restore it.
There's plenty of interest in old streetlighting but traffic lights often get overlooked.