Like a ringer box only different!

Hi :)
My name is Leanne and I have recently come into posession of the above box.
I have been doing research to find out what it is exactly but I havent had much luck. As far as I am aware, the glass unit inside is a signal relay selector and the top part is a ringing mechanism. Apparently they were used in control rooms for railroads back in the day however im having trouble working out what it did exactly and whether it is worth something or not. The only information I have is that the signal relay selector was made by 'standard telephones and cables' (which was apparently the Australian/British version of Western Electric) and a date on the instructions which says 2-8-35 and a little signature next to it (unreadable).
Any information would be of help. Thankyou!