Australian Railroad Crossing Signals

[chris96]

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the only change is the crossing at Garden St, Portland which seems to be out of service, the teardrop bell has been replaced by a hybrid bell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 is fantastic news! I wonder how/why the Portland line has escaped equipment 'upgrades' when all other lines in the state are constantly having signals replaced? To my knowledge, there is only one E-Bell on the entire line, located at Burgins Rd in Hamilton:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.782 ... 328!8i1664

The Portland line seems as though it's stuck in the early 2000's, before boom gates, E-Bells and even LED lights dominated rural crossings!


BTW, if you're still planing on visiting Geelong, there are a couple of interesting disused crossings in the area that might be worth checking out. One of them is this bell-less crossing on Abery Rd in North Shore:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.099 ... 312!8i6656
The missing signal has since been replaced and has incandescent lights!

The next crossing along the line is also quite interesting as it not only contains a Hybrid Bell, but some very strange 'industrial' signals for the internal traffic in a nearby dockyard. They incorporate traffic light style flashing lights and red rotating beacons, mounted to yellow posts:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.100 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.100 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.100 ... 312!8i6656

There is also a disused Teardrop Bell on Cunningham Pier:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.142 ... 312!8i6656


I can't wait to see some of the photos/videos from your travels!

[McK&H.Aust]

I wonder how/why the Portland line has escaped equipment 'upgrades' when all other lines in the state are constantly having signals replaced? To my knowledge, there is only one E-Bell on the entire line, located at Burgins Rd in Hamilton:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.782 ... 328!8i1664

The Portland line seems as though it's stuck in the early 2000's, before boom gates, E-Bells and even LED lights dominated rural crossings!


BTW, if you're still planing on visiting Geelong, there are a couple of interesting disused crossings in the area that might be worth checking out. One of them is this bell-less crossing on Abery Rd in North Shore:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.099 ... 312!8i6656
The missing signal has since been replaced and has incandescent lights!

The next crossing along the line is also quite interesting as it not only contains a Hybrid Bell, but some very strange 'industrial' signals for the internal traffic in a nearby dockyard. They incorporate traffic light style flashing lights and red rotating beacons, mounted to yellow posts:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.100 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.100 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.100 ... 312!8i6656

There is also a disused Teardrop Bell on Cunningham Pier:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.142 ... 312!8i6656


I can't wait to see some of the photos/videos from your travels!

It sure is amazing how the Portland Line has escaped the usual "upgrade fever", the only recent changes are LED's which seem to have been fitted to most of the crossings, but apart from that they seem untouched. Mt Clay Rd at Heywood still has the inverted SORS signs and old style crossbucks, and I don't think I've seen any red-background crossbucks so far

I think one of the reasons could be the low number of trains which use the line. Even after the train went through Heywood this afternoon, the rails still looked quite dull and rusty. The nearby highway is in poor condition with hundreds of trucks using it daily (lots of logging trucks), and it seems such a waste while the railway line just sits there idle most of the time.

I do want to visit the Geelong area but still not sure where I'm going after leaving Portland. There is a chance I could be able to film a grain train going past the teardrop bell at Swan Hill, and it's very hard to decide what to do next

[trainman7]

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

It’s incredible that the Portland line has remained pretty much untouched! Hopefully as long as the line remains under ARTC ownership, they’ll remain for many years to come!

[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

It’s incredible that the Portland line has remained pretty much untouched! Hopefully as long as the line remains under ARTC ownership, they’ll remain for many years to come!

Yes I think the Portland Line will probably be the last line where you will still be able to see plenty of m-bells and older crossings, and maybe a few on the Melbourne - Sydney line also. Good old ARTC and their limited budgets

[freebrickproductions]

Any Safetran mechanical bells left along the line?

And I'd go after the grain train going through the Teardrop in Swan Hill. You never know when that's gonna get replaced!

[McK&H.Aust]

Any Safetran mechanical bells left along the line?

And I'd go after the grain train going through the Teardrop in Swan Hill. You never know when that's gonna get replaced!

Yes there is one Safetran m-bell left on the line, it still sounds healthy so hopefully should be around for years to come
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.133 ... 328!8i1664

Will most likely go to Swan Hill, I would be kicking myself if the teardrop was replaced.

[McK&H.Aust]

Checked out more crossings on the Portland line today. First are the two crossings not on GSV...

S Boundary Rd at Hamilton has a Safetran Type 3 e-bell. It looks like a late 1980's or early 1990's installation.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1V59pU ... ceRYcpNDJP
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1FIESG ... jPcYSuBNLv

Mill Rd, Strathkellar is a much older installation with a McKenzie & Holland teardrop bell
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1VcNZD ... YL7m2f1aSn
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1_i9E6 ... c_lQvzQ4rQ
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SJneU ... HVfC2eu9NE
Liked the crossing so much that I filmed it, the teardrop bell sounds a bit tired but still nice. The train had two 81 class locomotives as opposed to yesterday's train which had a G and a BL.

As for the other crossings checked today, they all still have m-bells....
Cashmore Rd, Portland (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.321 ... 328!8i1664
Darts Rd, Portland North (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.315 ... 328!8i1664
Westlakes Rd, Portland North (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.306 ... 328!8i1664
Gorae Rd, Bolwarra (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.285 ... 328!8i1664
Condah - Coleraine Rd (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.941 ... 328!8i1664
Hamilton - Port Fairy Rd (now has WCH m-bell) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.763 ... 328!8i1664
Tyers St, Hamilton (teardrop) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.737 ... 312!8i6656
Mill Rd, Hamilton (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.731 ... 312!8i6656

Also had a quick look at Burgins Rd, Hamilton which still has a Safetran Type 3 e-bell, the nearby Iluka Minerals siding looked very rusty so I guess that traffic has stopped completely. https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.782 ... 328!8i1664

All crossings now have LED's.

[TrickyMario7654]

Checked out more crossings on the Portland line today. First are the two crossings not on GSV...

S Boundary Rd at Hamilton has a Safetran Type 3 e-bell. It looks like a late 1980's or early 1990's installation.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1V59pU ... ceRYcpNDJP
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1FIESG ... jPcYSuBNLv

Mill Rd, Strathkellar is a much older installation with a McKenzie & Holland teardrop bell
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1VcNZD ... YL7m2f1aSn
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1_i9E6 ... c_lQvzQ4rQ
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SJneU ... HVfC2eu9NE
Liked the crossing so much that I filmed it, the teardrop bell sounds a bit tired but still nice. The train had two 81 class locomotives as opposed to yesterday's train which had a G and a BL.

As for the other crossings checked today, they all still have m-bells....
Cashmore Rd, Portland (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.321 ... 328!8i1664
Darts Rd, Portland North (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.315 ... 328!8i1664
Westlakes Rd, Portland North (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.306 ... 328!8i1664
Gorae Rd, Bolwarra (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.285 ... 328!8i1664
Condah - Coleraine Rd (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.941 ... 328!8i1664
Hamilton - Port Fairy Rd (now has WCH m-bell) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.763 ... 328!8i1664
Tyers St, Hamilton (teardrop) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.737 ... 312!8i6656
Mill Rd, Hamilton (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.731 ... 312!8i6656

Also had a quick look at Burgins Rd, Hamilton which still has a Safetran Type 3 e-bell, the nearby Iluka Minerals siding looked very rusty so I guess that traffic has stopped completely. https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.782 ... 328!8i1664

All crossings now have LED's.

Wonder what happened to the hybrid bell at South Boundary Road? It was still in service in 2015...


Great to see that another Teardrop bell has been discovered at Strathkellar, good thing I alerted you about the crossing.

Did you photograph the other crossings you visited?

[McK&H.Aust]

Checked out more crossings on the Portland line today. First are the two crossings not on GSV...

S Boundary Rd at Hamilton has a Safetran Type 3 e-bell. It looks like a late 1980's or early 1990's installation.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1V59pU ... ceRYcpNDJP
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1FIESG ... jPcYSuBNLv

Mill Rd, Strathkellar is a much older installation with a McKenzie & Holland teardrop bell
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1VcNZD ... YL7m2f1aSn
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1_i9E6 ... c_lQvzQ4rQ
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SJneU ... HVfC2eu9NE
Liked the crossing so much that I filmed it, the teardrop bell sounds a bit tired but still nice. The train had two 81 class locomotives as opposed to yesterday's train which had a G and a BL.

As for the other crossings checked today, they all still have m-bells....
Cashmore Rd, Portland (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.321 ... 328!8i1664
Darts Rd, Portland North (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.315 ... 328!8i1664
Westlakes Rd, Portland North (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.306 ... 328!8i1664
Gorae Rd, Bolwarra (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.285 ... 328!8i1664
Condah - Coleraine Rd (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.941 ... 328!8i1664
Hamilton - Port Fairy Rd (now has WCH m-bell) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.763 ... 328!8i1664
Tyers St, Hamilton (teardrop) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.737 ... 312!8i6656
Mill Rd, Hamilton (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.731 ... 312!8i6656

Also had a quick look at Burgins Rd, Hamilton which still has a Safetran Type 3 e-bell, the nearby Iluka Minerals siding looked very rusty so I guess that traffic has stopped completely. https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.782 ... 328!8i1664

All crossings now have LED's.

Wonder what happened to the hybrid bell at South Boundary Road? It was still in service in 2015...


Great to see that another Teardrop bell has been discovered at Strathkellar, good thing I alerted you about the crossing.

Did you photograph the other crossings you visited?

I guess the hybrid bell died, looking at the other crossings on the line, I don't think they would have replaced it unless really necessary.

I'm certainly am glad you reminded me about the crossing at Strathkellar, otherwise I probably would have missed it.

Sadly the weather wasn't the best this morning, there were frequent showers which seemed to happen every time I got out of the car at a crossing
I did manage to ptotograph the two disused crossings at Portland (Garden St and Kennedy St) which still have their incandescent lights. Also photograped Hamilton - Port Fairy Rd and the WCH m-bell there, plus the Henty Hwy at Moutajup which has a McK&H teardrop. I'm leaving Portland tomorrow but will photograph some more crossings on the way, probably won't get them all but will try to photograph the teardrop crossings at a minimum.

[TrickyMario7654]

Sadly the weather wasn't the best this morning, there were frequent showers which seemed to happen every time I got out of the car at a crossing
I did manage to ptotograph the two disused crossings at Portland (Garden St and Kennedy St) which still have their incandescent lights. Also photograped Hamilton - Port Fairy Rd and the WCH m-bell there, plus the Henty Hwy at Moutajup which has a McK&H teardrop. I'm leaving Portland tomorrow but will photograph some more crossings on the way, probably won't get them all but will try to photograph the teardrop crossings at a minimum.

Looks like there’s more showers forecasted for the area tomorrow, but most likely during the afternoon or evening.
http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/forecasts/hamilton.shtml