Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => Pay Station Telephones => GPO Pay Phones => Topic started by: FABphones on October 07, 2020, 09:55:28 AM

Title: BT (British Telecom) KX Telephone Box
Post by: FABphones on October 07, 2020, 09:55:28 AM
Today I took photographs of this KX kiosk. Not working, glass missing, and in a general state of disrepair - complete with paint poured over the handset. I can't imagine who would have a can of paint to hand to do that, or why.

These images are probably amongst the last, if not THE last, photos that will be taken of this out of service telephone kiosk. And as such I guess the writing on the window of the store behind is most apt.

I'd happily restore it, but alas, these things disappear seemingly overnight. One thing is 99.9% certain - it will not be there the next time I visit.

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The KX was introduced by BT (British Telecom) in 1985 (following the privatisation of BT in 1984).

'BT decided to create a newly designed and improved take on the British telephone box, which at this point consisted of only red telephone kiosks which BT had recently acquired, the most common being the iconic K6. But the K6 was considered flawed in parts by BT for several reasons, including cost, lack of ventilation, accessibility and maintenance.

Upon launch, there were five KX models in total. The boxes were produced at a rate of 5,000 a year, with the total count of all BT owned kiosks reaching 137,000 by 1999.

Whilst the updated functions of the KX series were praised, the designs were widely criticised and were seen as inferior to the red telephone boxes. The plan to replace the red boxes was also criticised.

Many of the models in the KX series were revamped graphically after BT changed their logo in 1991 with their new 'Piper' logo'.

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Last photo shows a KX in it's prime, complete with the revamp Piper logo.
Title: Re: BT (British Telecom) KX Telephone Box
Post by: RB on October 07, 2020, 01:56:33 PM
wow, that thing had a hard life
Title: Re: BT (British Telecom) KX Telephone Box
Post by: FABphones on October 09, 2020, 12:06:10 PM
Came across another KX earmarked for removal. This one makes the first one above look well kept.

Glass panels missing, and what glass remains is oddly opaque. The rear of kiosk looks like it has been hammered with a metal bar, and the receiver (traditional terminology for UK Payphones) was hanging down off hook. When I picked it up to replace it on hook water poured out of the handset.


Title: Re: BT (British Telecom) KX Telephone Box
Post by: Key2871 on October 09, 2020, 12:52:05 PM
It has seen better days, and over here if a phone wasnt doing well or was overly vandalized it was pulled anyway. No notice of removal, it just went.

I like the kiosk/ booth though it actually looks nice.
I miss seeing closed in booths like the so called Superman booths.
Progress...
Title: Re: Going Going Gone - KX Telephone Box
Post by: FABphones on November 11, 2020, 10:52:01 AM
The KX, which I photographed (reply 2 above) has gone.

Those photos were its last. Consigned to history. I missed being present for it's removal by just hours.  :(

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I zoomed down to the other KX, still there. For the moment.