cut5.avi

Running No.1 crossbar and No.5 crossbar machines, plus a No. 12 LTD with analog meters and some footage of LAMA operating perforaters. Worked in these machines for about 10 years. An old xbar switchman told me onetime that if you work in a xbar SMB (sender make busy) for 2 years you will start to lose your hearing, if you stay for 5 years you will start to drink heavy, if you stay 10 years you'll start to lose your mind and be a confirmed alcoholic, and if you stay 15 years or more you'll die before age 60. These machines were incredibly loud when running at maximum call processing, this footage is not during the busy hours but you can still hear what they sounded like. Both of these machines were cutover in the 80's. Enjoy any of you old crossbar folks that are still alive.

NAB :-)

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• telephone switches
• crossbar
• xbar
• No. 1 crossbar
• No.5 crossbar Crossbar Switch

[nabisho]

I worked a lot of graveyard shifts in those days, watched a lot os 3 am entires go and cut a lot of that 5 in. yellow perforator tape, nasty stuff if you cut yourself with it.

NAB :-).,

[nabisho]

I worked there from 1968 to 1979 I think this was shot the day before they cut the machine over which would have been in the mid to late 80's probably around 88-89 I think.

NAB :-)

[ncstewart66]

Love it.  Reminds me of the telco Open Houses they used to host years ago. What CO is this?

[bboogaar]

After all these years I never thought I'd hear that racket again. Worked in #5 Crossbar switches with LAMA and CAMA recorders in Calgary, Alberta in the 1970s and early 1980s.

[lukosrage]

Also what year is this?

[lukosrage]

Its cool to see these videos of old crossbar switches- thanks for uploading

[dobie2564d]

Great video. Thanks for posting it.