How many working gaslights are there left in the UK and where are they? Obviously I'm talking about public lighting as opposed to privately owned although it would be nice to see those too...
I can't hazard a guess at how many are left but when I went down to london last Saturday we went and saw Buckingham palace. From what I could see the whole of Green Park which is next to B' Palace was lit by gas as you can see in the first 3 pics. The fourth was one on the gates. There are also still gas lamps lighting the streets in great malvern. So there are still a few around.
Thanks Mathew92, as a result of your post I found this http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2056431/Londons-burning-gas-lamp-engineer-keeps-citys-historic-centre-illuminated-true-Victorian-style.html
Here is one of the two internal gas lights I have working. This one is a Sugg with three burners running on Propane. Hope this may be of some interest to you. Al
They just work directly off the gas via the regulator. I've had these working for nearly twenty years. When I get a new mantle I'll post the gas wall light working. Al.
The city of South Orange, New Jersey retained their gas street lamps, originally installed about the turn of the 20th Century. The local regional utility, Public Service Electric and Gas, maintains the lamps. They take the mantles with the integral round ceramic mounts. The lamps have a pilot and a photo cell that operates the valve in the regulator to turn on the lamp at night and off in the daylight. Paul
There are some working gas lamps in York. Slightly off topic but apparently there is a Gas Museum in Leicester which I assume has some gas lights in its collection. Has anyone here been to it?
Went to London with the family in October, and saw a few gas lamps round Covent Garden. I know they aren't pressure lamps as such, but it is still nice to see real 'working' mantles doing their stuff! Date was 14th October 2012
There are working gas lights at the Severn Valley Railway's Kidderminster station. Also the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley has a number of working gas lamps, both mantle types and fishtail burners, including a 3-mantle lamp hanging from the ceiling of the auditorium in The Limelight Cinema, which is remotely controlled from the projection booth. Phil
Thanks... Please keep them coming, it would be great to build up a comprehensive list here as I don't think such a thing exists elsewhere.
Some can be found in the Inns of Court e.g.the Middle Temple, I think. Technically not a public space, but near enough. Ian
Looks like you are right.... Looking at a much larger copy of this picture they appear to have three burners. © This image was originally posted to Flickr by Effervescing Elephant at http://flickr.com/photos/35995738@N00/468969584
Hi Phil, there's a few pictures of them on this page... http://www.railaroundbirmingham.co.uk/Stations/kidderminster_%28svr%29.php
Quite right, Matthew, and whilst doing some research on historic lighting in the County of Worcestershire earlier today I came across this nice page from the Malvern Wells Parish Council website, which describes the recent refurbishment and their continuing commitment to public gas lighting: http://www.malvernwells-pc.gov.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18&Itemid=101 Phil
Hi Norf, it's not that far for us but unfortunately they only seem to give opening times between May and September... I'll definitely put it down as a place to visit though. What are you running it on?
just been past the fakenham museum and on the window it said seasonal opening time ; thursday mornings, probably when the volunteers get together for a cuppa,, other times by appointment. best to call first if you are passing in case they have people in...
Some of you in the Worcestershire area might be interested in the meeting being hosted by the Transition Gasketeers in Malvern this coming Monday night - 8pm Mon. 3rd Dec. Malvern Cube (Youth Centre) WR14 2YF. I've no connection with this group, but I'm going along! Phil
Just checked their website - I don't know if you read Viz, but they sound like a cross between the 'Real Ale Tw*ts' and the 'Modern Parents' Do let us know how you get on...
Another Covent Garden gas lamp and a particular favorite of mine, illuminating the entrance to the Lamb & Flag on Rose Street.
It's amusing really that in a busy area like that very few people will be even remotely aware that there is anything unusual about those lamps... Very much a case of you see what you expect to see, and most will assume them to be electric lights.
Funnily enough I've just spotted it in this video along with quite a few other lamps... And you couldn't find a more apt song either http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVgQKImpCh0
