Usage of non-domestic pre 700-series telephones. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

chipp1968 · 8th Aug 2007, 8:33 am

I remember in the 80s outside st pauls , when i opend one of the mini police boxes there was a pyramid set inside ! .would have that still been in use ?

(This thread has been split from here by darren-uk ).

Station X · 8th Aug 2007, 10:39 am

Police forces withdrew the pillars and police boxes (Tardis) at various different times. These generally corresponded with the introduction of personal radios for officers on foot patrol. It should be remembered that as well as receiving calls from the public these boxes/pillars could be used to attract the attention of passing officers by causing the light on top to flash.

1980 seems a bit late for a pillar to still be in use in London. Perhaps it was awaiting recovery? With a working pillar opening the door would cause the light to flash automatically.

edit:-

It's just occurred to me that St Pauls was/is covered by The City Of London Police as distinct from The Metropolitan Police. It's possible that the city police retained their boxes/pillars long after they disappeared from the rest of London.

Station X · 8th Aug 2007, 10:49 am

Pre 700 type telephones were also used for "Special Faults" and "Fire Reporting" telephones in major telephone exchanges. Their robust appearance gave them an air of authority.

They were also found in AA and RAC call boxes.

chipp1968 · 8th Aug 2007, 1:30 pm

I was amazed at the time seeing it ,as i had never seen one in the flesh before .It may have been redundnt of course

chipp1968 · 8th Aug 2007, 1:36 pm

Remembering Devizes in the other thread I also rememberd ,My Mum was a telephonest in Chippenham from the late 1940s ,and had to lern to operate all the switchboard types in use . While she was having me circa 1967 she was retiring but was called back to operate the Manual exchange in Devizes as she had the newledge as at that point they were about to modernise it and smeone was needed to operate it while that was going on

8th Aug 2007, 8:33 am	#1
chipp1968 Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,356	Usage of non-domestic pre 700-series telephones. I remember in the 80s outside st pauls , when i opend one of the mini police boxes there was a pyramid set inside ! .would have that still been in use ? (This thread has been split from here by darren-uk ). Last edited by Darren-UK; 8th Aug 2007 at 10:39 am. Reason: Thread split.

8th Aug 2007, 10:39 am	#2
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,288	Re: Usage of non-domestic pre 700-series telephones. Police forces withdrew the pillars and police boxes (Tardis) at various different times. These generally corresponded with the introduction of personal radios for officers on foot patrol. It should be remembered that as well as receiving calls from the public these boxes/pillars could be used to attract the attention of passing officers by causing the light on top to flash. 1980 seems a bit late for a pillar to still be in use in London. Perhaps it was awaiting recovery? With a working pillar opening the door would cause the light to flash automatically. edit:- It's just occurred to me that St Pauls was/is covered by The City Of London Police as distinct from The Metropolitan Police. It's possible that the city police retained their boxes/pillars long after they disappeared from the rest of London. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

8th Aug 2007, 10:49 am	#3
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,288	Re: Usage of non-domestic pre 700-series telephones. Pre 700 type telephones were also used for "Special Faults" and "Fire Reporting" telephones in major telephone exchanges. Their robust appearance gave them an air of authority. They were also found in AA and RAC call boxes. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

8th Aug 2007, 1:30 pm	#4
chipp1968 Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,356	Re: Usage of non-domestic pre 700-series telephones. I was amazed at the time seeing it ,as i had never seen one in the flesh before .It may have been redundnt of course

8th Aug 2007, 1:36 pm	#5
chipp1968 Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,356	Re: Usage of non-domestic pre 700-series telephones. Remembering Devizes in the other thread I also rememberd ,My Mum was a telephonest in Chippenham from the late 1940s ,and had to lern to operate all the switchboard types in use . While she was having me circa 1967 she was retiring but was called back to operate the Manual exchange in Devizes as she had the newledge as at that point they were about to modernise it and smeone was needed to operate it while that was going on