High performance LED-based warning lights from Tideland Signal have been chosen to mark London’s historic Kew Railway Bridge for the benefit of vessels passing up and down the River Thames.
The bridge is marked by two pairs of MLED-140 MaxiHALO-60 lanterns together with a blanking plate to provide a dark background for the light during the day. In addition, Tideland supplied a swing arm mounting specially modified to the specifications of Southern Electric Contracting, which is responsible for the contract on behalf of Network Rail. The design allows easy and safe access to the lantern from the bridge deck for routine maintenance.
All the lanterns show a fixed flash yellow light and have a nominal range of 5nm. The design of the MLED-140 MaxiHALO-60 makes it easy to de-rate the lantern so as to decrease the intensity of the beam and further enhance its already highly economical power consumption.
The MLED-140 Maxi-HALO is one of a range that combines Tideland’s proven MaxLumina lenses with advanced LED technology to provide long service life with reduced maintenance. The lanterns are extremely reliable, rugged, provide high opto-electrical efficiency and require little maintenance, even under harsh operating conditions.
In addition, each pair of lanterns was supplied with one power supply and a battery box housing a 12V VRLA battery to provide a harmonised power supply plus standby power in the event of AC power outage.
Opened in 1869, Kew Railway Bridge is a Grade II listed structure which crosses the Thames between Kew and Strand-on-the-Green, Chiswick. It consists of five wrought iron girder spans, each measuring 35m and supported on decorated, cast iron piers. The bridge has two electrified tracks which are used both by London Underground and North London Line passenger trains.