The Terminator
Key distinguishing points
- Three main sizes in existance.
- Known to be made in White, Brown, Red and Black.
- Used as a termination point.
- Inner shed length varies dependant upon year of manufacture.
- Twin wire grooves.
- Less common than the standard pattern of insulator.
Medium Terminator
Designated by Bullers as the No.7 for the standard sized version, they sit approximately 5" high by 3" diameter.
The smaller version has a designation of No.8 and is 4.25" high by 2.5" diameter.
A much larger version exists measuring 5" high by 3.5" diameter but, at this time, its Bullers number is unknown.
As with standard pattern, the reason for variations in size is not clear.
Again as with the standard pattern older variants have the extended inner shed, certainly by 1956 the inner shed is shorter than the outer shed.
Stamped with the letters NR on the top and LNER on the top front face, this is also believed to be a TTC product, though the meaning of NR and other similar letters on other various insulators is eagerly sought.
A medium sized terminator, clearly marked GWR and with the TTC logo on the rear face this is more slender that other medium sized terminators and possibly of older design.
Several variants exist within the collection, marked either GWR or LMS, with and without the TTC logo.
Small Terminator
Small black terminator. With no makers signature visible it is believed to be from Taylor Tunnicliff. It has the characteristic square shoulder and thin wire ridge typical of similar marked TTC products.
Small type terminator clearly marked GPO on body front with hand logo on rear, believed to be made by Wade.
Large Terminator
This larger terminator is stamped LNER on the front top face and on other, non LNER versions has the Bullers logo in a similar place. These bullers stamped versions do not, unfortunately, give the date nor model no.
Pieces of a red power transmission version exist within the collection, though a substantially complete one has yet to be obtained.
Sinclair Aitken
A two piece terminator known as the Sinclair-Aitken pattern. The centre core is slotted and threaded internally and externally. This allows it to be threaded on to its anchor pin. The lead in wire then passes through the top slot and the cap / outer is screwed over the inner to complete the design.
Obtained from a second hand stall its origin and maker are unknown, though W.Keith Neal states in his book, Searching For Railway Telegraph Insulators, that they were used on the Great Eastern Railway and widely used by the Post Office until the Pot-Head took over.
Thanks go to Fredrik Höjefält for providing me with this pattern drawing.
It clearly illustrates the method in which this insulator was used, need I say anymore ?
Latest find
This piece appears to be from the top of Large PO pattern terminator. Its size and shape match existing examples of Bullers made terminators held within the collection.
Impressed on to the piece are the words BULLERS Ltd, LONDON, Rd No 2??????'. This fragment dates the registration of the design to between 1885 (Rd No.19756) > 1886 (Rd No.40480) or 1893 (Rd No.205240) > 1897 (Rd No.291241).
