Ropley UAX12
Initially a small DIY 4 extension switchboard based on a Key and Lamp unit was installed and connected to Alresford, 3 miles away, via an overhead circuit, later a UAX 12 was placed in service on March 2nd 1979 with an initial 8 working extensions .
One A and one C rack ( ex Hursley ) were provided giving a maximum of 25 extensions, numbers were in the range 3XX, two both way junctions were provided between the two stations. In the first month of operation over 500 calls were made in either direction.
To dial from Alresford to Ropley the code was 9 and in the other direction 5.
Call barring was provided on the junctions again using the multi-metering relay sets.
The two exchanges worked well but the equipment was over 40 years old and did not offer much scope for the railways planned eastward extension, a start was made on an additional rack at this site that would have been used as a tandem exchange, it would have used 2000 type selectors, although the rack was installed it never saw service as more modern equipment was later obtained.
No known pictures of these exchanges exist while in railway use .
Directory from when both UAX12s were in service.
Ropley developments
The UAX12 was replaced by an exchange again built from bits, a PABX 3 rack mounting 2 ringers and selector shelves donated by Ferranti from Bracknell and a Plessey rack used to mount junction relay sets, 50 point linefinders and miscellaneous relay sets.
As the new exchange was to be installed in the same small room as the existing one the UAX was recovered at the end of the running season to make room for the new equipment, which had to be working for the start of the season the following year.
Ten position bank multiples were used, 4 in total - 1st selectors, incoming selectors, second selectors and final selectors. The exchange was designed from the outset to act as a local exchange plus a tandem switch for the rest of the line although at the time of installation only 2 exchanges were operational. The existing 3XX numbers were prefixed with 4.
With the full opening of the line ( 1985 ) there were direct circuits to the other 3 stations, four junctions to Alresford, two to Medstead and two to Alton.
Lack of space in the exchange meant a small power unit had to be used with the standby batteries in external cabinets. Later a PP2040 was fitted.
The old UAX12 went to a Post Office Telephone museum in Brighton, present whereabouts are unknown although someone said it had gone to Amberley, enquiries there have brought no response.
Some years later the third unused Plessey 50 extension line finder shelf went to the Dean Forest Railway and is now in use at Parkend Station.
Shelf E - final selectors
Shelf D - second selectors
Shelf C - incoming 1st selectors
Shelf B - local 1st selectors (not shown)
Shelf A - 2 ringers type 44 and associated relay sets (not shown)
The red labels on the incoming selectors indicated junction guard relay sets were fitted at the distant end.
Due to the restricted space it was not possible to take reasonable pictures of the Strowger exchanges at any site.
Box connection that replaced original MDF in the old exchange room, also shown is the EPG2A standby clock and Norstar Startalk unit.
The shelf at the top has a TRT284 call sender on it.
Some pictures showing the recovery of the Strowger equipment.
The combined efforts of the railway official PW gang, IT department and the Sunday PW gang - Telecom department taking the easy option and taking the picture.
This exchange also went to East Sussex along with the Alresford equipment.
Standby 50 volt battery for the Strowger exchange at Ropley
Lead acid cells were changed for 2 sets of gas combination cells, later replaced by a PP2040
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