Australian Railroad Crossing Signals

[McK&H.Aust]

Also filmed the crossing at Alberton https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.859 ... 312!8i6656
It has some interesting equipment such as WRRS gate mechs and an big variety of incandescent lights (GEC, McK&H, Westinghouse, WCH). The one pair of McKenzie & Holland lights are a rare type which look similar to the GRS XB lights, they have provision for a rear mounted lens which has been blanked off. Also on top of the mast is a junction box.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1YAsYK ... tPNs8eBv_D
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1pyWyA ... 5skMQKiaEs
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1jl8S8 ... J41YTfHeRo
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1WW-qq ... RNQJGxp98j
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1IOic9 ... --N_0nLPN1
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1HA7zF ... dHFCx3JgYK

I wonder if this now removed disused crossing in Koo Wee Rup (which I've posted several times before) also had these same type of lights?
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.199 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.199 ... 312!8i6656

I think they probably are, the crossarm also looks the same (without a junction box). Interesting how much equipment was made by McK&H which looked very similar to US made items. It sucks that the signals were removed, would have been an awesome crossing.

[chris96]

I went to Ballarat on the train yesterday and I am sad to report that all of the signals at Coburns Rd in Melton have been completely replaced (including the signal masts themselves). The Westinghouse EB mechs are now WCH mechs, the traditional crossbucks are now the new "red square" signs and even the E-Bells have been replaced (even though they weren't even 4 years old). What is absolutely ridiculous about this is the fact that within the next couple of years, this line will be duplicated meaning the signals will need to be replaced again!

Here is what the crossing used to look like before the "upgrade":
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.703 ... 312!8i6656

The next crossing down the line at Exford Rd has also had its Westinghouse EB mech replaced by a WCH model:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.703 ... 312!8i6656


Also, the crossing on this farm access road has been upgraded with boom gates sometime since 2015. Oddly, it uses Safetran mechs!

Here's the crossing when it was passive (this is the best view I can get):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.646 ... 312!8i6656

[TrickyMario7654]

I went to Ballarat on the train yesterday and I am sad to report that all of the signals at Coburns Rd in Melton have been completely replaced (including the signal masts themselves). The Westinghouse EB mechs are now WCH mechs, the traditional crossbucks are now the new "red square" signs and even the E-Bells have been replaced (even though they weren't even 4 years old). What is absolutely ridiculous about this is the fact that within the next couple of years, this line will be duplicated meaning the signals will need to be replaced again!

Here is what the crossing used to look like before the "upgrade":
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.703 ... 312!8i6656

The next crossing down the line at Exford Rd has also had its Westinghouse EB mech replaced by a WCH model:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.703 ... 312!8i6656


Also, the crossing on this farm access road has been upgraded with boom gates sometime since 2015. Oddly, it uses Safetran mechs!

Here's the crossing when it was passive (this is the best view I can get):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.646 ... 312!8i6656

I hope they reuse the new signals at Coburns Road, otherwise they're just wasting money...

I don't understand why V/line have been removing all the EB mechs on their network. Only a few years ago they didn't mind having them, now they're like "dirty objects" to them.

Speaking of which, this crossing near Geelong has had it's signals replaced (even though the old ones were only installed in 2003)!
2015: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.191 ... 312!8i6656
2017: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.191 ... 312!8i6656

[NathanFromEngland]

Speaking of which, this crossing near Geelong has had it's signals replaced (even though the old ones were only installed in 2003)!
2015: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.191 ... 312!8i6656
2017: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.191 ... 312!8i6656

It looks like they salvaged the Safetran gate mechanisms, and put them on the new signals.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.192 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.192 ... 312!8i6656

[McK&H.Aust]

Just thought I would share a few observations on my trip home from Adelaide. Found this passive crossing at Moulamein which is out of service https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.094 ... 312!8i6656 it still has "Give Way To Trains" signs which, from memory, were common in the 1980's. Most of them were since replaced by the normal Give Way signs. The crossing also has hazard triangles on it's advance warning signs.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-9QlW ... THoZcwZXKt
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1g2_8g ... cqAc7XO3nk
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1f8ag0 ... X-J6Ni4QLe
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1LU6KW ... qJP6i8M0QY
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1_6xhY ... qXN-nScrYg

Got a couple of pictures of the Baird St crossing at Culcairn which is being upgraded with gates https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.656 ... 312!8i6656
https://drive.google.com/open?id=12gU5a ... okFU_MpP_R
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1b3K2P ... 3KI4qzGGW-
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1PMbDo ... c3sSoaI3_M

Also checked the gateless crossings at Gerogery and Harefield but neither showed any signs of upgrading yet.

In positive news, the Harmon gate mechs still remain at Henty and Shepherds Siding. The Modern Industries bells still remain at Docker St, Wagga Wagga, while the crossings at Old Junee and Junee still have their teardrop bells. I'm guessing that one of the teardrops is still dead at Junee.

The crossing at Burkes Creek Rd (Old Trunk Rd) at The Rock is unchanged and still seems to have a dead bell on the western signal.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.253 ... 312!8i6656

Both of the teardrop bells remain at Cootamundra (Cowcumbla St and Berthong Rd).

[trainman7]

Just thought I would share a few observations on my trip home from Adelaide. Found this passive crossing at Moulamein which is out of service https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.094 ... 312!8i6656 it still has "Give Way To Trains" signs which, from memory, were common in the 1980's. Most of them were since replaced by the normal Give Way signs. The crossing also has hazard triangles on it's advance warning signs.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-9QlW ... THoZcwZXKt
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1g2_8g ... cqAc7XO3nk
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1f8ag0 ... X-J6Ni4QLe
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1LU6KW ... qJP6i8M0QY
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1_6xhY ... qXN-nScrYg

Got a couple of pictures of the Baird St crossing at Culcairn which is being upgraded with gates https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.656 ... 312!8i6656
https://drive.google.com/open?id=12gU5a ... okFU_MpP_R
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1b3K2P ... 3KI4qzGGW-
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1PMbDo ... c3sSoaI3_M

Also checked the gateless crossings at Gerogery and Harefield but neither showed any signs of upgrading yet.

In positive news, the Harmon gate mechs still remain at Henty and Shepherds Siding. The Modern Industries bells still remain at Docker St, Wagga Wagga, while the crossings at Old Junee and Junee still have their teardrop bells. I'm guessing that one of the teardrops is still dead at Junee.

The crossing at Burkes Creek Rd (Old Trunk Rd) at The Rock is unchanged and still seems to have a dead bell on the western signal.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.253 ... 312!8i6656

Both of the teardrop bells remain at Cootamundra (Cowcumbla St and Berthong Rd).

I think there were a few of those give way signs in NSW, but they were replaced way before my time. I wonder why the Harmon gate mechs haven’t been replaced yet? Hopefully ARTC leave the teardrop bells alone for a while!

[McK&H.Aust]

Just thought I would share a few observations on my trip home from Adelaide. Found this passive crossing at Moulamein which is out of service https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.094 ... 312!8i6656 it still has "Give Way To Trains" signs which, from memory, were common in the 1980's. Most of them were since replaced by the normal Give Way signs. The crossing also has hazard triangles on it's advance warning signs.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-9QlW ... THoZcwZXKt
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1g2_8g ... cqAc7XO3nk
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1f8ag0 ... X-J6Ni4QLe
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1LU6KW ... qJP6i8M0QY
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1_6xhY ... qXN-nScrYg

Got a couple of pictures of the Baird St crossing at Culcairn which is being upgraded with gates https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.656 ... 312!8i6656
https://drive.google.com/open?id=12gU5a ... okFU_MpP_R
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1b3K2P ... 3KI4qzGGW-
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1PMbDo ... c3sSoaI3_M

Also checked the gateless crossings at Gerogery and Harefield but neither showed any signs of upgrading yet.

In positive news, the Harmon gate mechs still remain at Henty and Shepherds Siding. The Modern Industries bells still remain at Docker St, Wagga Wagga, while the crossings at Old Junee and Junee still have their teardrop bells. I'm guessing that one of the teardrops is still dead at Junee.

The crossing at Burkes Creek Rd (Old Trunk Rd) at The Rock is unchanged and still seems to have a dead bell on the western signal.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.253 ... 312!8i6656

Both of the teardrop bells remain at Cootamundra (Cowcumbla St and Berthong Rd).

I think there were a few of those give way signs in NSW, but they were replaced way before my time. I wonder why the Harmon gate mechs haven’t been replaced yet? Hopefully ARTC leave the teardrop bells alone for a while!

It is surprising that the Harmon gate mechs are still there. I think in the case of Henty that maybe there is a larger upgrade planned which could still be in the design stages, it could involve installing a gated pedestrian crossing and removing the redundant third track, or maybe they are too busy upgrading the gateless crossings. I think the teardrop bells will be around for as long as they keep working, ARTC had the perfect excuse to replace the teardrops at Junee after one of them died around 18 months ago, but they didn't do anything!

[McK&H.Aust]

Finally made it to Portland, haven't checked all of the crossings on the line yet, but so far I haven't seen any e-bells

I've checked the following crossings and they still have the same m-bells as on GSV.
Penshurst - Dunkeld Rd, Dunkeld (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.656 ... 312!8i6656
Glenelg Hwy, Moutajup (teardrop) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.665 ... 312!8i6656
Henty Hwy, Branxholme (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.808 ... 328!8i1664
Henty Hwy, Condah (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.969 ... 328!8i1664
Woolsthorpe - Heywood Rd, Heywood (teardrop) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.127 ... 328!8i1664
Mount Clay Rd, Heywood (Safetran) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.133 ... 328!8i1664
Henty Hwy, Heathmere (teardrop) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.219 ... 328!8i1664
Kennedy St, Portland (hybrid, out of service) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.335 ... 312!8i6656
Anderson St, Portland (WCH) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.349 ... 312!8i6656
Cliff St, Portland (Westinghouse teardrop) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.355 ... 312!8i6656

Strangely, the only change is the crossing at Garden St, Portland which seems to be out of service, the teardrop bell has been replaced by a hybrid bell
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.331 ... 312!8i6656

I'm staying for two nights at Portland so hopefully I can check out the remaining crossings and try to photograph them. I've been fortunate enough to film a train at Cliff St, Portland where the teardrop sounds like it's dying, and Mt Clay Rd, Heywood where the Safetran bell still sounds nice.

Also, both of the Mount Gambier Line crossings at Heywood have the signals removed now, but I think that's previously been posted.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.127 ... 328!8i1664
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.125 ... 328!8i1664

[TrickyMario7654]

Finally made it to Portland, haven't checked all of the crossings on the line yet, but so far I haven't seen any e-bells

I've checked the following crossings and they still have the same m-bells as on GSV.
Penshurst - Dunkeld Rd, Dunkeld (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.656 ... 312!8i6656
Glenelg Hwy, Moutajup (teardrop) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.665 ... 312!8i6656
Henty Hwy, Branxholme (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.808 ... 328!8i1664
Henty Hwy, Condah (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.969 ... 328!8i1664
Woolsthorpe - Heywood Rd, Heywood (teardrop) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.127 ... 328!8i1664
Mount Clay Rd, Heywood (Safetran) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.133 ... 328!8i1664
Henty Hwy, Heathmere (teardrop) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.219 ... 328!8i1664
Kennedy St, Portland (hybrid, out of service) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.335 ... 312!8i6656
Anderson St, Portland (WCH) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.349 ... 312!8i6656
Cliff St, Portland (Westinghouse teardrop) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.355 ... 312!8i6656

Strangely, the only change is the crossing at Garden St, Portland which seems to be out of service, the teardrop bell has been replaced by a hybrid bell
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.331 ... 312!8i6656

I'm staying for two nights at Portland so hopefully I can check out the remaining crossings and try to photograph them. I've been fortunate enough to film a train at Cliff St, Portland where the teardrop sounds like it's dying, and Mt Clay Rd, Heywood where the Safetran bell still sounds nice.

Also, both of the Mount Gambier Line crossings at Heywood have the signals removed now, but I think that's previously been posted.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.127 ... 328!8i1664
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.125 ... 328!8i1664

That's great to hear!

There's also been a bell change at Hamilton-Port Fairy Road, Hamilton. The Teardrop here is now a WCH m-bell...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.762 ... 328!8i1664

Also, there are two signalized crossings on the line which aren't covered in GSV, the first is South Boundary Road in Hamilton which has a hybrid bell...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.758 ... 674,17.75z

The other is at Mill Road, Strathkellar. No idea what's at this one...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.708 ... 955783,17z

Leaving this link to the custom map I made of the line just as a reminder...
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1_Pi1v ... sp=sharing

[McK&H.Aust]

Finally made it to Portland, haven't checked all of the crossings on the line yet, but so far I haven't seen any e-bells

I've checked the following crossings and they still have the same m-bells as on GSV.
Penshurst - Dunkeld Rd, Dunkeld (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.656 ... 312!8i6656
Glenelg Hwy, Moutajup (teardrop) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.665 ... 312!8i6656
Henty Hwy, Branxholme (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.808 ... 328!8i1664
Henty Hwy, Condah (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.969 ... 328!8i1664
Woolsthorpe - Heywood Rd, Heywood (teardrop) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.127 ... 328!8i1664
Mount Clay Rd, Heywood (Safetran) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.133 ... 328!8i1664
Henty Hwy, Heathmere (teardrop) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.219 ... 328!8i1664
Kennedy St, Portland (hybrid, out of service) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.335 ... 312!8i6656
Anderson St, Portland (WCH) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.349 ... 312!8i6656
Cliff St, Portland (Westinghouse teardrop) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.355 ... 312!8i6656

Strangely, the only change is the crossing at Garden St, Portland which seems to be out of service, the teardrop bell has been replaced by a hybrid bell
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.331 ... 312!8i6656

I'm staying for two nights at Portland so hopefully I can check out the remaining crossings and try to photograph them. I've been fortunate enough to film a train at Cliff St, Portland where the teardrop sounds like it's dying, and Mt Clay Rd, Heywood where the Safetran bell still sounds nice.

Also, both of the Mount Gambier Line crossings at Heywood have the signals removed now, but I think that's previously been posted.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.127 ... 328!8i1664
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.125 ... 328!8i1664

That's great to hear!

There's also been a bell change at Hamilton-Port Fairy Road, Hamilton. The Teardrop here is now a WCH m-bell...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.762 ... 328!8i1664

Also, there are two signalized crossings on the line which aren't covered in GSV, the first is South Boundary Road in Hamilton which has a hybrid bell...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.758 ... 674,17.75z

The other is at Mill Road, Strathkellar. No idea what's at this one...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.708 ... 955783,17z

Leaving this link to the custom map I made of the line just as a reminder...
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1_Pi1v ... sp=sharing

Thanks again for the map, it comes in handy to jog my memory

I will make it a priority to photograph the two crossings which aren't on GSV. Some crossings have new ARTC stickers for the emergency contact number, so I guess they are off limits to the VicTrack bell nazis, thankfully!