Australian Railroad Crossing Signals

[TrickyMario7654]

After filming the crossing at Parramatta Rd, Granville, I've discovered some interesting things https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.832 ... 312!8i6656

The current gated signals were installed in 2013 when they replaced the Type B gate mechs which dated back to 1961. These new gate mechs were actually recycled as they are painted white and have the old WCH logo https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.832 ... 312!8i6656 I suspect the gate mechs came from this crossing at Birrong which was closed not long after this GSV image from 2009 https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.887 ... 312!8i6656 The signals here were short lived as they were only installed around 2001, so the gate mechs would still have been in good condition. The only other crossing they could have came from is Casula which was closed around the same time, but I doubt those mechs were recycled as they are much older, having been installed in the early 1990's https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.950 ... 312!8i6656

The lights and their brackets on the new gated signals are also recycled, with both having Alstom branding https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.832 ... 312!8i6656

The WCH base on this gated signal is dated June 2005, so I guess it was also recycled, but not sure where from https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.832 ... 312!8i6656

Sadly the demise of this interesting crossing has moved one step closer with the NSW government recently signing contracts for the construction of the Parramatta Light Rail Project. http://data.parramattalightrail.nsw.gov ... ZtR3UM.DXY
Construction is due to begin this year which will see the section of track between Clyde and Camellia closed and the crossing removed. The remainder of the line between Camellia and Carlingford will be converted to light rail. The crossing at Parramatta Rd is the last in NSW to be manually operated from it's own adjacent signal box, it doesn't appear to be heritage listed so could quite possibly be demolished https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.832 ... 312!8i6656

It got me to thinking what other manually operated crossings remain in NSW and I could only think of two. They are at Adamstown https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-32.933 ... 312!8i6656 and Hamilton https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-32.918 ... 312!8i6656 although both crossings are remotely controlled from Broadmeadow via CCTV cameras.

Another surviving crossing that was manually operated is at Blackshaw Rd, Goulburn. It was converted to automatic operation some time around 2008 after Goulburn Signal Box was closed https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.753 ... 312!8i6656

You can still see the CCTV cameras which were linked to Goulburn Signal Box https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.753 ... 312!8i6656 https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.753 ... 312!8i6656

Going back to 2007 the crossing had full length gates while it was manually operated https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.753 ... 328!8i1664

They actually weren't the original signals. Found my old photographs from May 1986 showing Type B gate mechs. The lights are possibly Westinghouse and the bells look like older model WCH or FS.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1RwTsU ... Ut7TzrkDFi
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lF_xr ... cXCQlF4jiX
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1RukjD ... CA-ivqsQXr

I wonder why the reused older equipment for the new signals at Granville? In hindsight, it would have been better to just keep the old signals in operation rather than installing new ones that would only last about six years.

I didn’t know that Goulburn perviously had older signals, I always thought prior to the current signals being installed it had manually operated gates. Now that I think about it, I wonder if these supposed ‘older’ signals are the current ones, just with the original gate mechs and lights replaced sometime in the 1990’s?

[McK&H.Aust]

I wonder why the reused older equipment for the new signals at Granville? In hindsight, it would have been better to just keep the old signals in operation rather than installing new ones that would only last about six years.

It sure is unusual for Sydney Trains to recycle gate mechs, or most other equipment for that matter. I wonder if they've had long term plans to remove the crossing at Granville so just did a cheap upgrade to get them by for a few years? The fact that the median signals weren't replaced certainly points to something going on.

A good example of Sydney Trains' normal practice (wastage) is the crossing at Corrimal. The original Type B mechs were replaced in the early 2000's by new WCH mechs with the old logo and WCH counterweight arms https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.374 ... 328!8i1664 only to be replaced a few years later by completely new signals and even newer gate mechs (with the new WCH logo and Harmon counterweight arms). https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.374 ... 312!8i6656

I didn’t know that Goulburn perviously had older signals, I always thought prior to the current signals being installed it had manually operated gates. Now that I think about it, I wonder if these supposed ‘older’ signals are the current ones, just with the original gate mechs and lights replaced sometime in the 1990’s?

They could be the original masts but it's difficult to tell from my low quality pictures

[trainman7]

After filming the crossing at Parramatta Rd, Granville, I've discovered some interesting things https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.832 ... 312!8i6656

The current gated signals were installed in 2013 when they replaced the Type B gate mechs which dated back to 1961. These new gate mechs were actually recycled as they are painted white and have the old WCH logo https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.832 ... 312!8i6656 I suspect the gate mechs came from this crossing at Birrong which was closed not long after this GSV image from 2009 https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.887 ... 312!8i6656 The signals here were short lived as they were only installed around 2001, so the gate mechs would still have been in good condition. The only other crossing they could have came from is Casula which was closed around the same time, but I doubt those mechs were recycled as they are much older, having been installed in the early 1990's https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.950 ... 312!8i6656

The lights and their brackets on the new gated signals are also recycled, with both having Alstom branding https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.832 ... 312!8i6656

The WCH base on this gated signal is dated June 2005, so I guess it was also recycled, but not sure where from https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.832 ... 312!8i6656

Sadly the demise of this interesting crossing has moved one step closer with the NSW government recently signing contracts for the construction of the Parramatta Light Rail Project. http://data.parramattalightrail.nsw.gov ... ZtR3UM.DXY
Construction is due to begin this year which will see the section of track between Clyde and Camellia closed and the crossing removed. The remainder of the line between Camellia and Carlingford will be converted to light rail. The crossing at Parramatta Rd is the last in NSW to be manually operated from it's own adjacent signal box, it doesn't appear to be heritage listed so could quite possibly be demolished https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.832 ... 312!8i6656

It got me to thinking what other manually operated crossings remain in NSW and I could only think of two. They are at Adamstown https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-32.933 ... 312!8i6656 and Hamilton https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-32.918 ... 312!8i6656 although both crossings are remotely controlled from Broadmeadow via CCTV cameras.

Another surviving crossing that was manually operated is at Blackshaw Rd, Goulburn. It was converted to automatic operation some time around 2008 after Goulburn Signal Box was closed https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.753 ... 312!8i6656

You can still see the CCTV cameras which were linked to Goulburn Signal Box https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.753 ... 312!8i6656 https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.753 ... 312!8i6656

Going back to 2007 the crossing had full length gates while it was manually operated https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.753 ... 328!8i1664

They actually weren't the original signals. Found my old photographs from May 1986 showing Type B gate mechs. The lights are possibly Westinghouse and the bells look like older model WCH or FS.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1RwTsU ... Ut7TzrkDFi
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lF_xr ... cXCQlF4jiX
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1RukjD ... CA-ivqsQXr

Even though the crossing at Granville is going to be removed in the next few years, it surprises me that Sydney Trains used recycled gate mechs as well as lights, brackets and bases knowing their normal practice of wastage. However installing the new signals is still a waste considering that they would be removed just a few years after installation.

Not sure how much longer the crossing at Adamstown will remain under manual control as it would appear there are plans to have the signalling controlling the crossing automated. Whether this happens or not is another thing but the activations here are ridiculously long and cause extensive delays so the crossing could really use an upgrade.
The info about the proposed changes can be found on the bottom of the last page of the this document.
https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/ ... notice.pdf

I was wondering what the original signals at Goulburn looked like! Thanks for posting the photos! Such a shame those signals have since been replaced. Used to be so much interesting equipment around once...

[McK&H.Aust]

Even though the crossing at Granville is going to be removed in the next few years, it surprises me that Sydney Trains used recycled gate mechs as well as lights, brackets and bases knowing their normal practice of wastage. However installing the new signals is still a waste considering that they would be removed just a few years after installation.

The whole Carlingford line has pretty much been a waste because in recent years it's been completely upgraded with concrete sleepers and most of the old wooden poles for the overhead wires have been replaced, only to be torn up again soon. From what I've been reading on the Parramatta Light Rail website it seems a rough estimate for the line closing is early 2020, so only a year away at the most. Lots of reading here but some interesting stuff if you can get through it, specially the Environment and Planning documents http://www.parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au/library

I'm considering filming the pedestrian crossings at Dundas https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.804 ... 312!8i6656 and Telopea https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.793 ... 312!8i6656 Despite their new equipment they will need to be torn out, as the current single track will be duplicated. I particularly like Dundas because it still has the old wooden station building https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.804 ... 312!8i6656 which is heritage listed. Sadly it seems that being heritage listed can greatly increase the fire risk at old station buildings!

Not sure how much longer the crossing at Adamstown will remain under manual control as it would appear there are plans to have the signalling controlling the crossing automated. Whether this happens or not is another thing but the activations here are ridiculously long and cause extensive delays so the crossing could really use an upgrade.
The info about the proposed changes can be found on the bottom of the last page of the this document.
https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/ ... notice.pdf

Hopefully the actual crossing at Adamstown isn't altered, just converted to automatic operation. In spite of the reasonably new equipment I quite like the current signals. https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-32.933 ... 312!8i6656

Used to be so much interesting equipment around once...

That short sentence sums up the current level crossing scene in Australia quite well, but luckily all of the interesting equipment hasn't gone, yet...

[Jack2003]

Level crossing trivia

Question 1: Do you prefer mechanical bells or ebells?
Question 2: What is your favourite mechanical bell?
Question 3: What is your favourite ebell?
Question 4: Do you prefer crossbucks or red background crossbucks?
Question 5: What is your favourite level crossing?
Question 6: Do you prefer wishbone gates or flat gates?
Question 7: Do you prefer incandescent or LED lights?
Question 8: What sign do you prefer at a passive crossing?
A. Give Way
B. Stop
C. Hazard Triangle
Question 9: What is you favourite boom gate mechanism?
Question 10: Do you prefer black or white "stop on red signal signs"?
Question 11: What are your favourite lights? (It is not incandescent or LED)
Question 12: What is your favourite level crossing ahead sign?

My answers are pretty much the same as trainman7, although it's too difficult to pick a favourite crossing, there are many

Here are my answers
1. Mechanical bells
2. Wabcos and Teardrops
3. Safetran Type 3 ebells, even sounding with Magnetic Auto Control pedestrian gate alarms.
4. Crossbucks
5. Gillies Street, Ballarat, as I have seen a lot of trains over the years at the crossing
6. Flat gates
7. LED's
8. Stop signs as they are safer
9. Westinghouse
10. White
11. Westinghouse LED's
12. The rarest "Railway Crossing Ahead" sign http://www.hobbiesplus.com.au/signspott ... AD0419.JPG

[McK&H.Aust]

Heard from a friend that last week the crossing at Tanyinna suffered another vehicle strike. This time the western gated signal was knocked down https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.730 ... 312!8i6656

Don't know if any equipment was able to be salvaged from the damaged signal but it will be interesting to see what's there now!

[TrickyMario7654]

Heard from a friend that last week the crossing at Tanyinna suffered another vehicle strike. This time the western gated signal was knocked down https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.730 ... 312!8i6656

Don't know if any equipment was able to be salvaged from the damaged signal but it will be interesting to see what's there now!

You’d think that since the crossing has had so many vehicle strikes, they would do something to protect the signals from any out of control vehicles while at the same time, providing a way to protect the occupants from serious injury or death? This is going to keep on happening and they’ll have to keep installing new signals unless they do something to fix the problem.

[trainman7]

Heard from a friend that last week the crossing at Tanyinna suffered another vehicle strike. This time the western gated signal was knocked down https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.730 ... 312!8i6656

Don't know if any equipment was able to be salvaged from the damaged signal but it will be interesting to see what's there now!

So that means there has been 4 signals in the same location! Wow that has be to a record It really makes me wonder though just how much longer vehicles will still be able to strike the signals before they will put some kind of barrier up or do something else like a road realignment. I wouldn’t be surprised if the new signal has a fairly standard new setup of WCH equipment.

[McK&H.Aust]

Heard from a friend that last week the crossing at Tanyinna suffered another vehicle strike. This time the western gated signal was knocked down https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.730 ... 312!8i6656

Don't know if any equipment was able to be salvaged from the damaged signal but it will be interesting to see what's there now!

You’d think that since the crossing has had so many vehicle strikes, they would do something to protect the signals from any out of control vehicles while at the same time, providing a way to protect the occupants from serious injury or death? This is going to keep on happening and they’ll have to keep installing new signals unless they do something to fix the problem.

So that means there has been 4 signals in the same location! Wow that has be to a record It really makes me wonder though just how much longer vehicles will still be able to strike the signals before they will put some kind of barrier up or do something else like a road realignment. I wouldn’t be surprised if the new signal has a fairly standard new setup of WCH equipment.

Perhaps they could install those steel cables which are used along the middle of some roads to prevent head-on collisions? Considering the poor safety record here, it is very surprising that more hasn't been done to improve things.

With the current crossing the road pretty much crosses the tracks at a 90 degree angle, there is plenty of room here to realign the crossing on an easier angle, say 45 degrees.

[Jack2003]

Thought I would share a few photos taken by my dad of this interesting gate-less crossing located at the Pacific National Maintenance facility, Greta NSW. These signals were installed in 2012 when the facility was opened. It’s a bit of an overkill but this crossing has 5 tracks and 7 signals! The crossing itself has no bells but is otherwise of NSW standard featuring United Group lights, brackets and WCH bases.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/139253871 ... ed-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/139253871 ... ed-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/139253871 ... ed-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/139253871 ... ed-public/

Cool pictures With so many pairs of lights, the crossing would look quite interesting at night! I wonder if all signals activate together or only for certain tracks?

I have seen a video of this crossing and it certainly looks good at night! All of the signals activate no matter what track is being used.

That is indeed a very cool crossing. I would love to see it in action!

I have a few things of my own to share as well. Yesterday, I traveled to Castlemaine and found that the Maclise St crossing on the Victorian Goldfields Railway (with a teardrop bell) has been upgraded with LED lights. However, the additional lamps facing the side roads are still incandescent:






I checked the abandoned Moscript St crossing as well and some equipment still remains:









I also visited Maldon station and was surprised to find a pair of Safetran Gate Mechs, new "red background" crossbuck signs, new style Westinghouse LED lights, a Safetran Type 3 E-Bell and a new relay cabinet lying in the station yards. Unfortunately, I couldn't get an images of them as there were a lot of workmen in the area at the time. Could the VGR soon be upgrading one of their crossings with gates?

It is pretty cool to see it in action! Hopefully my dad can film the crossing since its employees only. I wonder if they’ll upgrade the rest of the lights? It’s sad seeing the equipment rot away to that depressing condition. I am honestly surprised they haven’t removed the signals yet.

If they have new equipment sitting in their yard, there’s an upgrade planned It’s a bit of bummer the new signals will probably use e-bells

Have they upgraded a crossing yet on the VGR yet, cause I went to Maldon Station on September 28th last year and I only saw the relay box in the yard? If they have can someone send some pictures through of the upgraded crossing please?