This Thorn Beta 8 lantern was spotted in the middle of nowehere, between Cwmffrwd and Kidwelly in Carmarthenshire. There are a few of these on this road along with a few other 55W and 35W SOX lanterns.

This lantern is the Alpha 9's smaller brother - they were originally both part of the AEI Amberline series of lanterns.

Photo taken October 2003.

This unidentified (but possibly a Phosware, as it's similar to that spotted in Llanwrda) 35W SOX lantern was spotted entering Pontyberem. There are several different unusual 35W SOX lanterns along this road.

Photo taken October 2003.

Another SOX lantern in Pontyberem, located next to the one above. I didn't know what lantern this is - Jon Salmon thinks it is a GEC Z9530.

Photo taken October 2003.

This looks like an old Thorn Beta 5 / AEI Amber Minor (if pre-1967) SOX, located between Cefneithin and Foelgastell. This lantern was replaced on 24th June 2005, it's replacement being a Philips MI26 on a shorter bracket.

Photo taken October 2003.

This photo shows a Simplex Aries 55W SOX lantern in Llanddarog. There is an installation of these along this side road.

Photo taken October 2003.

Through the village of Llanddarog are these new decorative Thorn Decostyle 250W SON-T lanterns (thanks to Andrew Stanley for identification).

The centre village is actually slightly off the main road which is lit by GEC Z9554 and Revo / Simplex / Relite Hyperion 'C' 135W SOX lanterns.

Photo taken October 2003.

Installed sometime in 2004, this NEDAL aluminium column is the first twin bracketed one I've seen. This one is fitted with two Philips MA50 135W SOX lanterns (with integral gear).

NEDAL columns have been springing up all over the county during 2004, replacing mostly 1960s/70s metal columns. Presumably these are replacing older columns as they become damaged or rusty, as a complete replacement of any one installation is yet to take place (see also Coracle Way, Carmarthen).

Photo taken November 2004.

There's nothing unusual about the GEC Z9454 lantern - at least until you come across a top entry version. Even these aren't that unusual on old columns (see the concrete in Carmarthen), but I was surprised to see a large installation of these on what would normally be side entry power / telegraph pole brackets in Brynaman! There's also at least one near Ammanford.

I've never seen any other top entry lanterns on these brackets, so I'm assuming these are original and not replacements. To make this picture even stranger, the lantern next to it is also a GEC Z9454, on an almost identical bracket - but it is side entry!

Photo taken December 2003.

This mercury lantern complete with bulb was spotted outside a hardware store in Newcastle Emlyn. I guess it is on private property which is why it still exists, and it may even work - it's still intact and in good condition.

From my limited knowledge of mercury lanterns in looks like a GEC, and it is identical to those in the centre of Haverfordwest.

Photo taken January 2004.

These two GEC Z8691 mercury lanterns were spotted at a filling station along Tenby Road, just outside Carmarthen (thanks to Davy Warren for identification!).

Photo taken January 2004.

180W SOX is becoming a rarity these days with high pressure sodium now standard for new and replacement dual carriageway and motorway installations. This installation of Philips MA60 180W SOX lanterns is along the dual carriageway A48 between Carmarthen and Crosshands, at the junction to Foelgastell.

This was one of the last 180W SOX installations in the area, in the late 1990s.

Photo taken February 2004.

A better view of the Philips MA60 lantern. Although it is possible to find 180W SOX along single carriageway roads, it's main use is for dual carriageway and motorway routes.

When the current A48 dual carriageway was built, in the early 1980s (replacing the old single carriageway A48), GEC 180W SOX lanterns were installed in St Clears, Crosshands, Cwmgwili (see pictures) and Pont Abraham with Philips MA30 HPS turtles installed over Lesneven Bridge. The MA30s have now been replaced but most of the GEC SOX still exist.

Photo taken February 2004.

This elderly GEC 90W SOX was spotted in Drefach.

Photo taken January 2004.

A winch SOX fitting outside an industrial complex in Whitland. The lantern and winch fitting are identical to the one in Station Road, Carmarthen (and yes, my photos from there are a better quality!), but the column looks like an 8m CU column identical to that spotted in Ammanford.

Another column on the same complex has had it's bracket removed, so I doubt this installation is still in use.

Photo taken February 2004.

This Revo Prefect was spotted in Abergorlech, a small village along the B4310 between Brechfa and Llansawel.

This is in good condition, with bowl intact, and is probably in working order. Workmen are currently resurfacing this stretch of the B4310 so it may disappear soon...

This is similar to the Prefect spotted in Aberystwyth - a top entry version with a different bowl is shown photographed near Llandybie.

Photo taken March 2004.

These ornate post-top lanterns line the road leading to the beach at Llansteffan. I've got a feeling these are fairly new, and are probably a modern heritage design, rather than a refurbished original. The lamp is therefore probably SON-E.

Photo taken March 2004.

A gear-in-head Revo Lucidor 'B' 35W SOX lantern in Llansteffan, at the junction for the main B4312 road to Llansteffan and the road to the beach.

In the background is a Philips MA90 with gear SOX. These are part of a new installation through the village.

Photo taken March 2004.

This top entry MBF REVO Prefect was spotted in Rhydcymerau (a village along the B4337 near Llanybydder) minus bowl. There's a lot of wires and boxes surrounding this installation - I doubt all relate to the light!

Photo taken March 2004.

Another view of the lantern.

Photo taken March 2004.

These Relite Geminis were spotted in Cefneithin. Both are the longer 55W version of the lantern.

Photo taken November 2004.

A Davis slim-bowl GR100 lantern on an extravagantly large outreach bracket in Capel Hendre. The lantern in the background is the ubiquitous Philips MA90. These brackets would have been originally fitted with either REVO Daleks, Lucidors or GEC Z9454s - both the GR100 and MA90 would have been fitted sometime between the mid 1980s and late 1990s.

Photo taken March 2005.

35W SOX Relite Geminis on power pole brackets are installed along the Maesydderwen estate in the village of Cwmdwyfran, along the A484 between Carmarthen and Cardigan. North West Carmarthenshire and South Ceredigion (Cardiganshire) are hotspots for Geminis, large numbers of which were installed in towns and villages here back in the 1970s.

Photo taken February 2006.

This photo shows the first Gemini in the installation, I'm assuming this is the gear-in-head variant since there is no obvious control gear box (the white box probably just contains connections to the photocell, as these are used with gear-in-head MA90s).

In the background, a new Urbis ZX series lantern lights the village along the A484.

Photo taken February 2006.

Urbis ZX lanterns light the A484 through Cwmdwyfran - this is a recent installation, and there would have been no major lighting in the village before this bar the occasional 35W SOX lantern such as a Beta 5 or Relite Gemini.

Photo taken February 2006.

This Thorn Beta 5 was photographed in Pentrecwrt.

Photo taken February 2006.

This 55W SOX Relite Gemini was photographed in the village of Bronwydd Arms.

Photo taken February 2006.

This top entry REVO Lucidor 'B' lantern with integral gear was photographed in Bronwydd Arms.

Photo taken February 2006.

This new installation was spotted in Bronwydd Arms on a brand new housing estate.

Photo taken February 2006.