Australian Railroad Crossing Signals

[McK&H.Aust]

Went on an urgent road trip today to record some endangered crossing equipment. First up was the crossing at Rydal which still retains it's GRS/WRRS Type D gate mechanisms https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.481 ... 312!8i6656 Sadly the WCH m-bell has died but the Westinghouse hybrid bell is still going strong. I suspect the signals here could be replaced on the weekend of February 16 & 17 as part of the signalling works for the new Rydal passing loop, the crossing will be booked out of use as detailed near the bottom of page 2 of this document http://www.jhrcrn.com.au/media/4817/saf ... roject.pdf A similar thing happened last year to the crossing at Blayney during a local signalling upgrade.

Next visited was the Main St crossing at Wallerawang https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.399 ... 312!8i6656
Unfortunately the old signals with their unique and interesting light mountings have been replaced by new signals with United Group lights mounted on WCH brackets. The newish WCH m-bell has been replaced by a recycled Safetran Type 3 e-bell, guess they had a spare one laying around. The tracks here are quite rusty and it seems the crossing sees very little use these days, although some new steel sleepers have recently been installed nearby. Here are a few pictures...
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1d-8D3 ... QsePdgELNp
https://drive.google.com/open?id=14Pd7X ... EXmodXnA8C
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1g6MpK ... JkV2EDQP47
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1sBQlz ... 8yVG99ElIS
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1yTxW1 ... mKU1Mz6-dC
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1sso4Q ... w1q2mnAcUu
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1CmKCX ... RQtskqKhbR

Thankfully the McK&H teardrop bell and the WCH m-bell still survive at the other crossing in Wallerawang https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.410 ... 312!8i6656

After a 3 hour drive, the last crossing visited was Hoskinstown Rd at Bungendore https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.275 ... 312!8i6656
It was announced yesterday by John Holland that the crossing will be upgraded with gates this coming weekend of February 9 & 10, sure is short notice! http://www.jhrcrn.com.au/media/4870/saf ... egdore.pdf
The new signal foundations and cabling have been installed and there were three signal maintainers working inside the relay bungalow. No sign of the new signals so I guess they will be trucked in on the weekend. Managed to film two trains here and should have the video uploaded within the next day.

One last bit of information, went past the crossing at Tanyinna last week and the replacement western signal (after the recent vehicle strike) does indeed have WCH lights along with the usual WCH gate mech and e-bell. Wasn't able to get any pictures on the day. https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.730 ... 312!8i6656

[TrickyMario7654]

Went on an urgent road trip today to record some endangered crossing equipment. First up was the crossing at Rydal which still retains it's GRS/WRRS Type D gate mechanisms https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.481 ... 312!8i6656 Sadly the WCH m-bell has died but the Westinghouse hybrid bell is still going strong. I suspect the signals here could be replaced on the weekend of February 16 & 17 as part of the signalling works for the new Rydal passing loop, the crossing will be booked out of use as detailed near the bottom of page 2 of this document http://www.jhrcrn.com.au/media/4817/saf ... roject.pdf A similar thing happened last year to the crossing at Blayney during a local signalling upgrade.

Next visited was the Main St crossing at Wallerawang https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.399 ... 312!8i6656
Unfortunately the old signals with their unique and interesting light mountings have been replaced by new signals with United Group lights mounted on WCH brackets. The newish WCH m-bell has been replaced by a recycled Safetran Type 3 e-bell, guess they had a spare one laying around. The tracks here are quite rusty and it seems the crossing sees very little use these days, although some new steel sleepers have recently been installed nearby. Here are a few pictures...
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1d-8D3 ... QsePdgELNp
https://drive.google.com/open?id=14Pd7X ... EXmodXnA8C
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1g6MpK ... JkV2EDQP47
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1sBQlz ... 8yVG99ElIS
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1yTxW1 ... mKU1Mz6-dC
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1sso4Q ... w1q2mnAcUu
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1CmKCX ... RQtskqKhbR

Thankfully the McK&H teardrop bell and the WCH m-bell still survive at the other crossing in Wallerawang https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.410 ... 312!8i6656

After a 3 hour drive, the last crossing visited was Hoskinstown Rd at Bungendore https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.275 ... 312!8i6656
It was announced yesterday by John Holland that the crossing will be upgraded with gates this coming weekend of February 9 & 10, sure is short notice! http://www.jhrcrn.com.au/media/4870/saf ... egdore.pdf
The new signal foundations and cabling have been installed and there were three signal maintainers working inside the relay bungalow. No sign of the new signals so I guess they will be trucked in on the weekend. Managed to film two trains here and should have the video uploaded within the next day.

One last bit of information, went past the crossing at Tanyinna last week and the replacement western signal (after the recent vehicle strike) does indeed have WCH lights along with the usual WCH gate mech and e-bell. Wasn't able to get any pictures on the day. https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.730 ... 312!8i6656

Thanks for all the updates!

I don't understand why John Holland bothered upgrading that crossing in Wallerawang, considering the infrequency of trains running on the line. If the line were to go out of service, than it will be money well spent.

I wonder why they only announced the upgrade to the Hoskinstown Road crossing in Bungendore just yesterday? You would think that something like that would have been announced much earlier on...

[McK&H.Aust]

I don't understand why John Holland bothered upgrading that crossing in Wallerawang, considering the infrequency of trains running on the line. If the line were to go out of service, than it will be money well spent.

I wonder why they only announced the upgrade to the Hoskinstown Road crossing in Bungendore just yesterday? You would think that something like that would have been announced much earlier on...

The upgrade at Wallerawang does seem rather pointless, specially considering that the lights had already been converted to LED, red background crossbucks had been fitted and the WCH m-bell was quite healthy. The track is basically just a siding and trains move very slowly anyway, so the upgrade doesn't improve the safety at the crossing.

The upgrade at Bungendore does seem rather hurried, usually when something like that is advertised the preparations will already be complete. Instead there is a team of workers still on site trying to get everything finished. Just found out from the John Holland website that the crossing at Tarago will also be upgraded with gates in the future http://www.jhrcrn.com.au/who-we-are/crn ... oor-knock/

[trainman7]

Went on an urgent road trip today to record some endangered crossing equipment. First up was the crossing at Rydal which still retains it's GRS/WRRS Type D gate mechanisms https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.481 ... 312!8i6656 Sadly the WCH m-bell has died but the Westinghouse hybrid bell is still going strong. I suspect the signals here could be replaced on the weekend of February 16 & 17 as part of the signalling works for the new Rydal passing loop, the crossing will be booked out of use as detailed near the bottom of page 2 of this document http://www.jhrcrn.com.au/media/4817/saf ... roject.pdf A similar thing happened last year to the crossing at Blayney during a local signalling upgrade.

Next visited was the Main St crossing at Wallerawang https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.399 ... 312!8i6656
Unfortunately the old signals with their unique and interesting light mountings have been replaced by new signals with United Group lights mounted on WCH brackets. The newish WCH m-bell has been replaced by a recycled Safetran Type 3 e-bell, guess they had a spare one laying around. The tracks here are quite rusty and it seems the crossing sees very little use these days, although some new steel sleepers have recently been installed nearby. Here are a few pictures...
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1d-8D3 ... QsePdgELNp
https://drive.google.com/open?id=14Pd7X ... EXmodXnA8C
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1g6MpK ... JkV2EDQP47
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1sBQlz ... 8yVG99ElIS
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1yTxW1 ... mKU1Mz6-dC
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1sso4Q ... w1q2mnAcUu
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1CmKCX ... RQtskqKhbR

Thankfully the McK&H teardrop bell and the WCH m-bell still survive at the other crossing in Wallerawang https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.410 ... 312!8i6656

After a 3 hour drive, the last crossing visited was Hoskinstown Rd at Bungendore https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.275 ... 312!8i6656
It was announced yesterday by John Holland that the crossing will be upgraded with gates this coming weekend of February 9 & 10, sure is short notice! http://www.jhrcrn.com.au/media/4870/saf ... egdore.pdf
The new signal foundations and cabling have been installed and there were three signal maintainers working inside the relay bungalow. No sign of the new signals so I guess they will be trucked in on the weekend. Managed to film two trains here and should have the video uploaded within the next day.

One last bit of information, went past the crossing at Tanyinna last week and the replacement western signal (after the recent vehicle strike) does indeed have WCH lights along with the usual WCH gate mech and e-bell. Wasn't able to get any pictures on the day. https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.730 ... 312!8i6656

Thanks for those updates! Shame the WCH m-bell at Rydal is dead but I suppose the signals won’t be around for much longer. Can’t say I am surprised about Wallerwang getting new signals but it does seem pointless considering its low usage. Bit of a shame the bell is now a Type 3 instead of a WCH e-bell or an m-bell...

Interesting that Hoskintown Rd is getting upgraded considering that both the road and rail line are fairly quiet but these days you just don’t know what crossing will get upgraded next.

[McK&H.Aust]

Interesting that Hoskintown Rd is getting upgraded considering that both the road and rail line are fairly quiet but these days you just don’t know what crossing will get upgraded next.

Sure is difficult to know which crossings will be upgraded next, logic doesn't always seem to apply. I would have thought that the crossing at Tarago would be upgraded first, given that it sees more road and rail traffic. As it turns out, they both will be upgraded. Found this notice concerning the crossing at Rosemount Rd, Denman, not sure if the work has something to do with the track and crossing surface or something else is happening https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... 1025893433

[Jack2003]

Noticed on the ARTC website that a few level crossing upgrades have been delayed recently. Wonder if it could have anything to do with the crossing problems on the Maryborough - Ararat line?

Lynch Rd https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... 1932305489

Ewings Rd https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... 1932305489

O'Connors Rd https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... 1932305489
https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... 1932305489

Park Rd https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... 1932305489
https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... 1932305489

I have a feeling that Bradken may have lost the contract for all the upgrades, but the crossings that VicTrack are getting upgraded from them still appear on both the Bradken and VicTrack websites.

From my understanding, Bradken are just the suppliers of WCH equipment and the actual installation work is carried out by Active Railway Signalling Pty Ltd. I presume they have separate contracts, as recent ARTC level crossing upgrades in NSW have taken place with no problems and Bradken would have supplied that equipment also.

Has there been any updates on these crossings as well as Minton Street Beveridge and any other crossings on the North East line?

[McK&H.Aust]

Saw some news today that the Eyre Peninsula Railway in South Australia seems set to close on May 31 with a change to road transport in the area.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2019- ... a/10850900
https://www.portlincolntimes.com.au/sto ... 1/?cs=1500

Thought I'd post all of the signalized crossings on their network that I could find. There are some nice gate-less crossings, including some with Westinghouse 12 inch LED lights, although not sure if any of the m-bells remain.

Le Brun St, Port Lincoln https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.729 ... 312!8i6656

Anne St, Port Lincoln https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.739 ... 312!8i6656

Flinders Hwy, Coomunga https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.661 ... 312!8i6656

National Hwy A1, Kimba https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.141 ... 312!8i6656
Nearby is the big galah! https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.141 ... 312!8i6656

Eyre Hwy, Kyancutta https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.136 ... 312!8i6656

Eyre Hwy, Ceduna https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-32.122 ... 312!8i6656

Thevenard Rd, Ceduna https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-32.132 ... 312!8i6656

Eyre Hwy, Ceduna https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-32.099 ... 312!8i6656

[freebrickproductions]

Saw some news today that the Eyre Peninsula Railway in South Australia seems set to close on May 31 with a change to road transport in the area.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2019- ... a/10850900
https://www.portlincolntimes.com.au/sto ... 1/?cs=1500

Thought I'd post all of the signalized crossings on their network that I could find. There are some nice gate-less crossings, including some with Westinghouse 12 inch LED lights, although not sure if any of the m-bells remain.

Le Brun St, Port Lincoln https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.729 ... 312!8i6656

Anne St, Port Lincoln https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.739 ... 312!8i6656

Flinders Hwy, Coomunga https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.661 ... 312!8i6656

National Hwy A1, Kimba https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.141 ... 312!8i6656
Nearby is the big galah! https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.141 ... 312!8i6656

Eyre Hwy, Kyancutta https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.136 ... 312!8i6656

Eyre Hwy, Ceduna https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-32.122 ... 312!8i6656

Thevenard Rd, Ceduna https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-32.132 ... 312!8i6656

Eyre Hwy, Ceduna https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-32.099 ... 312!8i6656

Looks like they might've upgraded the line to 12 inch LEDs (for the most part) between 2010 and 2015. Might still be worth checking out though, assuming that trains are still running along the line currently.

[TrickyMario7654]

Well I have some bad news to share as according to Stuart Hunt's most recent video, the black and white gate at Oakover Road, Preston has now been replaced by a newer red and white one.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.749 ... 312!8i6656

The hybrid bells still remain however, for now at least...

On a different note, I've discovered that the South Gippsland Highway crossing has had it's pedestrian crossing upgraded with swing gates. A pretty stupid upgrade if you ask me considering that the crossing is up for removal and I don't think the pedestrian crossing here gets much use anyways due to a lack of paved paths surrounding it...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.001 ... 312!8i6656

Also, the pedestrian gate mechs at McGregor Road are still in place despite no longer being used, however one of them is now lying on the ground.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.077 ... 312!8i6656

Finally, I speculate that Main Street has also had it's pedestrian crossings upgraded too as I saw work being done on one of the crossings there back in December last year.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.079 ... 312!8i6656

[McK&H.Aust]

Well I have some bad news to share as according to Stuart Hunt's most recent video, the black and white gate at Oakover Road, Preston has now been replaced by a newer red and white one.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.749 ... 312!8i6656

The hybrid bells still remain however, for now at least...

On a different note, I've discovered that the South Gippsland Highway crossing has had it's pedestrian crossing upgraded with swing gates. A pretty stupid upgrade if you ask me considering that the crossing is up for removal and I don't think the pedestrian crossing here gets much use anyways due to a lack of paved paths surrounding it...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.001 ... 312!8i6656

Also, the pedestrian gate mechs at McGregor Road are still in place despite no longer being used, however one of them is now lying on the ground.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.077 ... 312!8i6656

Finally, I speculate that Main Street has also had it's pedestrian crossings upgraded too as I saw work being done on one of the crossings there back in December last year.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.079 ... 312!8i6656

Sad to see the black & white gate at Oakover Road is gone, does this mean that the last crossing in Victoria (possibly Australia) to have black & white gates is Millers Rd, Seaholme? It would be nice if there were others. https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.867 ... 312!8i6656

I'm wondering if the contract to upgrade those pedestrian crossings had already been awarded before the decision was made to remove the crossings entirely? Maybe it was too late to cancel the upgrades without having to pay out the contractors, so they went ahead with the work anyway. Just a thought.

Found this on the ARTC website https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... 1237670204 Seems that McMahons Rd, Springhurst could be receiving gates https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.208 ... 312!8i6656