Author Topic: Switchboard to identify (Read 965 times)

cloyd · « **on:** July 05, 2016, 05:07:00 PM »

We went to Centerville, Iowa over the weekend for a wedding and stayed at the Continental Hotel (built in 1893). At the top of the stairs on the second floor is a switchboard and wooden phone booth. I took some pictures for ogling but the light was low so please forgive the poor lighting.

I am not into switching but I would be interested to know what kind of switchboard it is. I suppose phone booths had models numbers as well.

Tina Loyd

cloyd · « **Reply #1 on:** July 05, 2016, 05:07:41 PM »

A couple more pictures...

pdxjim911 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 05, 2016, 05:31:29 PM »

Looks like a 551. See this link:

http://www.telephonecollectors.info/index.php/document-repository/doc_details/11631-28jul-blr-p-363-non-multiple-pbx-551a-551b

Victor Laszlo · « **Reply #3 on:** July 05, 2016, 09:34:05 PM »

The instruction card states that it is a 551A or 551B.

AE_Collector · « **Reply #4 on:** July 06, 2016, 02:28:16 AM »

Would be a WECo 551B I believe since it has two sections (left and right side) of jacks, lamps and designation strips. 551A had a single section only.

Terry

Victor Laszlo · « **Reply #5 on:** July 07, 2016, 06:54:49 PM »

It would interesting to see the back. Most of these boards were eviscerated when taken out of service. Usually the relay gate and wiring harness have been sold for scrap.

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