Alton
A redundant PABX3 from the MAFF in Winchester, which was less than 5 years old, formed the basis of this exchange and completed the system. Numbers were in the range 34XX and the exchange opened in 1985. Initially out of area lines from Medstead provided service at the station.
The 50 point line finders had fitted on a narrower rack than the standard 4'6" racks we were using, 8 position final selectors bank multiples equipped the rack but these were not used.
Two ringers type 44 were installed on a standard 4 ft 6 inch rack.
On opening it was connected by underground cable to Medstead, no overhead route was ever provided by the Mid-Hants.
The same selector shelf arrangement existed as at Alresford, again a maximum of 50 extensions. Levels 2 and 4 for Alresford and Ropley went via a common junction route to Ropley (UAX 0 and 1 relay sets with junction hunters) and level 5 for Medstead, calls to this exchange went on direct junctions and not via the tandem.
A PP223 with batteries in a couple of external cabinets was used initially before being replaced with a PP2040.
When recovered this exchange went to Project Red Sand, a WW2 anti-aircraft fort in the Thames Estuary.
from Turntable 2nd November 1985
from Turntable 7th December 1985
Picture showing the equipment being installed, photo dated 13th October 1985, note use of cable grid for wiring between racks.
Rear view of relay set rack, selectors and line finders on back rack.
Teleprinter 15 on the left.
Junction relays sets on the right, also shown is the 4 channel carrier shelf.
The left hand rack has been reserved for possible use in the Strowger demonstration exchange.
On extreme right just in view is one of the soldered MDF blocks.
Later view of same racks.
Left hand rack - equipment from the top.
Call meters.
Congestion announcer.
EPG 2 standby clock.
Clock circuits.
Level measuring set and oscillator.
TRT284 call sender.
Electronic ringer.
Electronic dial tone cards.
Call fowarding units.
Right hand rack - AT60083 relay sets part 1 and 2 with Junction Hunters between.
Shelf E - final selectors
Shelf D - i/c and 2nd selectors
Shelf C - local 1st selectors
Shelf B - line finders
Shelf A - line relays
The small selector on shelf E was a patching selector, if an incoming selector became faulty it could be replaced by the patching one to maintain service, this was in the days of bothway junctions and it was not possible to back busy junctions.
Relay set rack.
Krone distribution strips which replaced soldered MDF blocks, it still in use with the Norstar system.
Exchange recovery - 62 type carrier rack on the left.
The narrower width of the line finder shelf can be seen.
Alton exchange and signal box - the cabinets contained the standby batteries until replaced by a PP2040, old power unit shown awaiting collection for scrap.
Gas recombination cells replaced the lead acid type in the external cabinets.
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