| Name | WECO 3A Payphone |
| Date | The Western Electric 3A was introduced in the early 1980s, generally dated to circa 1982–1983, just prior to the 1984 AT&T divestiture. The limited light gray and dark gray field trials occurred during this period. The 3A is therefore considered one of the final Bell System–era payphones produced before deregulation and the transition to COCOT and electronic platforms. |
| Manufacturer | Western Electric |
Development of the WECO 3A Payphone
| Western Electric 3A Payphone The Western Electric 3A is a payphone and is regarded as the last major self-contained Western Electric paystation model before systems requiring separate external network subsets became standard. The 3A features individual coin chutes producing distinct tones for each denomination, a coin return mechanism, and internal self-diagnostic capabilities. DIP switches allow configuration such as counting a $1 coin as four quarters. Although the coin chute mechanism can process $1 coins, the coin slot opening is too small to accept them. A limited field trial included approximately 200 light gray units (tested in Northern Colorado) and 200 dark gray units (tested in Northern California). The light gray units did not perform well in Colorado and were subsequently redeployed to Northern California. Additional production beyond the trial units may have occurred. The 3A requires specialized keys for vault access and is heavier than standard single-slot payphones. The upper housing hinges forward rather than being fully removed. Some surplus units were later dismantled; bases were occasionally paired with standard single-slot telephones, leaving unmatched tops in circulation. The 3A is considered scarce and highly collectible. |
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