Stoke on Trent GPO Telephone Exchange 1947

[stowpirate]

A few photographs taken in the Stoke on Trent GPO Telephone Exchange in c1947. Might be a tad later in date as phones look more modern maybe 1950's? Again medium format size negatives. I think one shows cable damage. Another strowger type switching system. I also used to work on that stuff in the late 1970's. A valve and somebody who looks like he is in charge. Anyway my dad was working I think on Stoke to Manchester TV cable links with these dating from that period. There is a load more to come

Just looked up the phone type in first photograph and that would date the photograph to later than 1959? It is possibly a GPO type 706 phone? Now that valve thingy would possibly also date the photos better?

 

[19sixtysix]

The valve thingy is probably a mercury arc rectifier.

 

[pogofish]

Now that valve thingy would possibly also date the photos better?

Not really - Mercury arc rectifiers, or Mekons as they were commonly known, persisted for a very long time - From the early 1950s IIRC until the last UK operational unit (in Telecom/Govt service anyway), at Peterhead was decomissioned in 1992 - Decca made a bit of a song and dance about it at the time!

Checked - Looks like it could be beteween 1954 and 1978/79 - When most Mekons were replaced with modern gear.

ETA - Subbrit found one still in use on the London Underground in 2000! Last pic on page:

http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/sites/b/belsize_park_deep_shelter/index.shtml

 

[stowpirate]

Not really - Mercury arc rectifiers, or Mekons as they were commonly known, persisted for a very long time - From the early 1950s IIRC until the last UK operational unit (in Telecom/Govt service anyway), at Peterhead was decomissioned in 1992 - Decca made a bit of a song and dance about it at the time!

Checked - Looks like it could be beteween 1954 and 1978/79 - When most Mekons were replaced with modern gear.

ETA - Subbrit found one still in use on the London Underground in 2000! Last pic on page:

http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/sites/b/belsize_park_deep_shelter/index.shtml

That is interesting. Apparently BT still has some old victorian equipment/cables still in use in Central London

 

[stowpirate]

I have a more confirmed time period for the GPO photos now, 1956-64. Some are Trinity Exchange Stoke on Trent, others are possible training facility, some might even be in San Fransisco in 62 as he was on the Monarch cable ship laying pacific cable.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Telephone_Company
http://atlantic-cable.com//Cableships/Monarch(4)/

 

[Red Storm]

You should get these up on a blog, wordpress or something.

They're fascinating!

 

[stowpirate]

This one has now been identified as Harry Windsor at Trunk Test Position Central Exchange 1949

 

[Puddy_Tat]

Telephone Buildings, Trinity Street Hanley is still standing

 

[wiskey]

Thanks for sharing