Australian Railroad Crossing Signals

[McK&H.Aust]

I've seen your video on the new signals at Clifton. I'm confused as to why they replaced the additional warning signals on the other side of the road. Wouldn't of been cheaper to just keep them and replace the ones were the gates are meant to go in? They've done it in Victoria on a few occasions.

Probably got a budget to "justify". Some government agencies operate on a "use it or loose it" budget, where they have to use every cent in their budget within that fiscal year or else it gets cut to what they spend in the next one.

That wouldn't surprise me, Sydney Trains have copped criticism in the past for building some infrastructure to "gold plated" standards. I really don't know how the installation of gates at Clifton can be justified (apart from using up the budget), it's a very quiet road which is only used as access for a few houses further up the hill. It's a dead end road so nobody else really goes up there and I've never heard of any accidents at the crossing. On both days when I was filming I never saw any vehicles use the crossing, for a couple of the shots I actually had my tripod set up in the middle of the road! At least they spent some money using decent e-bells, WCH would be my favourite out of all the e-bells currently on the market.

[TrickyMario7654]

I've seen your video on the new signals at Clifton. I'm confused as to why they replaced the additional warning signals on the other side of the road. Wouldn't of been cheaper to just keep them and replace the ones were the gates are meant to go in? They've done it in Victoria on a few occasions.

Probably got a budget to "justify". Some government agencies operate on a "use it or loose it" budget, where they have to use every cent in their budget within that fiscal year or else it gets cut to what they spend in the next one.

That wouldn't surprise me, Sydney Trains have copped criticism in the past for building some infrastructure to "gold plated" standards. I really don't know how the installation of gates at Clifton can be justified (apart from using up the budget), it's a very quiet road which is only used as access for a few houses further up the hill. It's a dead end road so nobody else really goes up there and I've never heard of any accidents at the crossing. On both days when I was filming I never saw any vehicles use the crossing, for a couple of the shots I actually had my tripod set up in the middle of the road! At least they spent some money using decent e-bells, WCH would be my favourite out of all the e-bells currently on the market.

Coming to think of it, there's this crossing not too far from my home in Nar Nar Goon which is located on a road that dead end's around a kilometre after this crossing, and only provides accesses to a few properties. Yet, it was a fully active setup with gates!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.080 ... 328!8i1664

Here's were the road ends. If you can't tell, this road used to connect with the road to the opposite side of the Pakenham bypass, but was cut off during construction due to it being such a quiet road.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.074 ... 328!8i1664
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.073 ... 328!8i1664

[McK&H.Aust]

Found the Siemens Download Centre for Australia, some interesting stuff on there if you have some spare time
http://download.siemens.com.au/download ... ?&start=10

Found some stuff on there about the Westinghouse EB gate mechs. It also mentions that they do refurbishments on WRRS gate mechs!
http://download.siemens.com.au/index.ph ... c_id=18029

This is their product list. Lots of products to get through but the level crossing products start on page 19 with spare parts for the EB gate mechs. Near the bottom of page 23 it mentions the WRRS gate mech refurbishments which are done at their Melbourne workshop. Near the bottom of page 21 one of the parts on the list is a lower pinion for a Griswold Barrier Motor!!
http://download.siemens.com.au/index.ph ... c_id=18585

[TrickyMario7654]

Found the Siemens Download Centre for Australia, some interesting stuff on there if you have some spare time
http://download.siemens.com.au/download ... ?&start=10

Found some stuff on there about the Westinghouse EB gate mechs. It also mentions that they do refurbishments on WRRS gate mechs!
http://download.siemens.com.au/index.ph ... c_id=18029

This is their product list. Lots of products to get through but the level crossing products start on page 19 with spare parts for the EB gate mechs. Near the bottom of page 23 it mentions the WRRS gate mech refurbishments which are done at their Melbourne workshop. Near the bottom of page 21 one of the parts on the list is a lower pinion for a Griswold Barrier Motor!!
http://download.siemens.com.au/index.ph ... c_id=18585

Interesting finds.

Also, it seems that Metro even replace newer equipment too!

This Safetran Gate Mech in Edithvale...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.038 ... 312!8i6656

...Got replaced with an Invensys Gate Mech!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.038 ... 312!8i6656

[freebrickproductions]

Also, it seems that Metro even replace newer equipment too!

This Safetran Gate Mech in Edithvale...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.038 ... 312!8i6656

...Got replaced with an Invensys Gate Mech!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.038 ... 312!8i6656

Wouldn't be surprised if the Safetran died.

[TrickyMario7654]

Also, it seems that Metro even replace newer equipment too!

This Safetran Gate Mech in Edithvale...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.038 ... 312!8i6656

...Got replaced with an Invensys Gate Mech!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.038 ... 312!8i6656

Wouldn't be surprised if the Safetran died.

That's a good theory.

[Username1]

Are these some Safetran hybrid bells on Coleman street in Warragul VIC?? https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/33 ... ca766e8dd4

[McK&H.Aust]

I'm guessing that those Westinghouse lights are no longer being made since Siemens took over, as I haven't seen any new ones installed in NSW for a few years now. Interesting how that crossing is not very old and already it has rare equipment!

For some reason, they keep appearing on new installations here in Victoria all the time! I believe they are still being manufactured and sold by Siemens but they haven't changed the mold yet!

Yes you are absolutely right, found these on the Siemens website
http://download.siemens.com.au/index.ph ... c_id=18033
http://download.siemens.com.au/index.ph ... c_id=16959

It seems that they also make 12 inch (300mm) lights, can't remember seeing any around but this must be what they look like. Are there any in Victoria?
http://download.siemens.com.au/index.ph ... c_id=16961

As mentioned in a previous post, another service offered by Siemens is the refurbishment or WRRS gate mechs! Can't see too many takers though, if you're going to remove the old mechanism and send it away then it's probably just easier to install a new one.
http://download.siemens.com.au/index.ph ... c_id=16967

[McK&H.Aust]

Are these some Safetran hybrid bells on Coleman street in Warragul VIC?? https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/33 ... ca766e8dd4

They are the usual Westinghouse hybrids, although for some reason the gongs have been painted a different colour.

[Username1]

Are these some Safetran hybrid bells on Coleman street in Warragul VIC?? https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/33 ... ca766e8dd4

They are the usual Westinghouse hybrids, although for some reason the gongs have been painted a different colour.

Damn got my hopes up.. I wonder why they painted the bells like that?
Anyway does this mean that newly-installed crossings in Victoria (apart from the pedestrian crossings) are all USA made?