Current Projects

The museum staff is currently restoring a Western Electric Dial PBX and an International line truck. These exhibits will be added to the museum's existing collections.



Western Electric 750A PBX

The Western Electric Dial Private Branch Exchange (PBX) was manufactured in 1928 and was removed from service in the early 1980's. It was stored in Davenport, Iowa when it was acquired by the museum.
The model 750A Dial PBX is an all-relay PBX switching apparatus. Our volunteers have removed the old cable stubs and cleaned the dust and grime out of the cabinet. The equipment has been powered up and the dial tone circuit has been repaired is now functional. This amazing accomplishment was achieved in a very short time and without adequate documentation.

The Dial 750A PBX was manufactured in two sizes. One version was an eight-line, two trunk system the other a 15-line and 3-trunk system. Calls can be dialed through the switch and incoming calls also can be completed.



Type 205 and 750A Telephone Set

The type 205 as seen on the left in the photo is a specialized telephone set that equipped with a dial and a five button mechanical locking key. The buttons were two or three trunks, a hold and an intercom. A typical 6-button set, as seen on the right, can be modified to work with the Dial 750A PBX.










International Line Truck

A retired telephone company construction employee's estate donated a 1955 International line truck to the museum. The employee purchased the truck from the telephone phone company when the vehicle was retired from the company fleet. It was used as a farm vehicle on his property.











Ready for Transport

The truck was stored in Port Angeles, Washington for several years and was moved to our temporary storage site in North Bend, Washington, which is much closer to the Museum of Communication and will facilitate its restoration.










Waiting on Spring

The truck is in rough condition but now that winter is ending its restoration will be started. The brake and the lighting systems will be re-built first to allow the truck to be moved under its own power for further restoration.









Our Wish List

The Museum of Communications is continually adding to its collection. We are currently searching for the following items: If you own or know the location of the above items we would like to talk to you about them.

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