Australian Railroad Crossing Signals

[trainman7]

Finally I saved the best until last. This WCH mechanical bell at Brook St Muswellbrook: https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/19 ... dbcfe53f62 has incredibly been replaced by of all things, a Modern Industries mechanical bell!!!
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/
Interestingly, ARTC left the mountings from the previous WCH bell. I guess this means there were other MI mechanical bells in NSW, apart from The Rock and Wagga Wagga.

Wonder what happened there? Did the previous WCH bell die, and they just had a spare MI bell lying around, so they reused it at this crossing. Also makes me wonder if it came from The Rock?

The WCH bell was clicking and dying regularly around December 2013 so it’s likely it eventually died. The first I noticed they replaced the bell was in March 2015 (assumed it was WCH ) so it couldn’t have been from The Rock. I guess the bell came off some crossing that had been upgraded in the area and had been lying around in storage.

That's awesome to see another Modern Industries bell being installed, thanks for the pictures

The bell certainly isn't from The Rock, because that bell had red/orange primer which could be seen underneath the black paint. I'm still wanting to film the crossing at Grass Tree with the hybrid bells, so may film Brook St too

It's possible that the original base from the MI bell was damaged, perhaps that is why it was removed from service, I guess they recycled the base from the dead WCH bell. Lucky the crossing is on ARTC tracks anyway!


Changing the subject again lol....

Finished checking the remaining crossings on the Portland Line today. There was only one change I noticed which was on the Glenelg Hwy at Glenthompson.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.636 ... 312!8i6656
The teardrop bell has been replaced by a hybrid bell, but at least it wasn't an e-bell.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Dqs_W ... Ji9sN0fsuI
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1AMSz5 ... uy4UVqzcPw
https://drive.google.com/open?id=13E_6t ... -4Q79EBUS2
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1QRGfM ... mGwb_kIzXC

That means there are only two e-bells on the entire line, certainly a miracle these days

The unchanged crossings checked today were.....
Willaura - Wickliffe Rd (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.551 ... 312!8i6656
Delacombe Way, Willaura (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.546 ... 328!8i1664
Mortlake - Ararat Rd, Maroona (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.444 ... 328!8i1664
As expected, the nearby crossing on the main line at Maroona (Helendoite Rd) now has a Safetran Type 3 e-bell
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.444 ... 328!8i1664

Managed to photograph all of the teardrop bells on the line, plus a few more crossings today before the weather turned crappy.

You’re welcome about the pictures! It was a very nice surprise to find another MI bell, especially since it’s replacing a dead bell! Nice to see that they recycled a hybrid bell instead of installing an e-bell. It certainly is a miracle to have just two e-bells on one line these days! You’ve gotta love Victorian weather, right when you want to do something, it turns to crap

[freebrickproductions]

Sometime tells me y'all would've loved the New Jersey Transit's Commuter Rail system prior to 2017. Back then it was all mechanical bells and the NJT had yet to approve any e-bells for use. However, the majority of the system still has mechanical bells, but only time will tell how much longer it will remain that way.

Y'all may also like the Long Island Railroad as well, as almost every crossing along their lines only uses mechanical bells (there's a few General Signals e-bells here and there, but not many according to GSV).

[McK&H.Aust]

Finished checking the remaining crossings on the Portland Line today. There was only one change I noticed which was on the Glenelg Hwy at Glenthompson.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.636 ... 312!8i6656
The teardrop bell has been replaced by a hybrid bell, but at least it wasn't an e-bell.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Dqs_W ... Ji9sN0fsuI
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1AMSz5 ... uy4UVqzcPw
https://drive.google.com/open?id=13E_6t ... -4Q79EBUS2
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1QRGfM ... mGwb_kIzXC

That means there are only two e-bells on the entire line, certainly a miracle these days

The unchanged crossings checked today were.....
Willaura - Wickliffe Rd (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.551 ... 312!8i6656
Delacombe Way, Willaura (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.546 ... 328!8i1664
Mortlake - Ararat Rd, Maroona (hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.444 ... 328!8i1664
As expected, the nearby crossing on the main line at Maroona (Helendoite Rd) now has a Safetran Type 3 e-bell
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.444 ... 328!8i1664

Managed to photograph all of the teardrop bells on the line, plus a few more crossings today before the weather turned crappy.

I might want to make a daytrip down to the area with dad one day and check out the crossings myself.

In all, I've counted six active Teardrop bells on the line. Certainly a gold mine along with the Safetran and WCH m-bells too (which seem to be just as rare nowdays). Hybrid bells seem to be coming rarer and rarer as the years go by, so it's good to see a good number survive on the line...

What where the other crossings you photographed, out of curiosity?

It's really worth the trip to see so many m-bells, maybe make it an overnight trip so you have more time. Driving and then stopping to look at the crossings certainly chews up the time very quickly! The two days just flew past for me.


These are all of the crossings which I photograped...
Cliff St, Portland https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.355 ... 312!8i6656
Anderson St, Portland https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.349 ... 312!8i6656
Garden St, Portland https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.331 ... 312!8i6656
Kennedy St, Portland https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.335 ... 312!8i6656
Darts Rd, Portland North https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.315 ... 328!8i1664
Henty Hwy, Heathmere https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.219 ... 328!8i1664
Mt Clay Rd, Heywood https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.133 ... 328!8i1664
Woolsthorpe - Heywood Rd https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.127 ... 328!8i1664
Hamilton - Port Fairy Rd https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.763 ... 328!8i1664
Sth Boundary Rd, Hamilton (no GSV) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.758 ... 174293,17z
Tyers St, Hamilton https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.737 ... 312!8i6656
Mill Rd, Hamilton https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.731 ... 312!8i6656
Mill Rd, Strathkellar (no GSV) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.708 ... 960914,17z
Glenelg Hwy, Moutajup https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.665 ... 312!8i6656
Glenelg Hwy, Glenthompson https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.636 ... 312!8i6656

Could have done more if it wasn't for the rain, but got to film three crossings so I can't complain.

[TrickyMario7654]

It's really worth the trip to see so many m-bells, maybe make it an overnight trip so you have more time. Driving and then stopping to look at the crossings certainly chews up the time very quickly! The two days just flew past for me.


These are all of the crossings which I photograped...
Cliff St, Portland https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.355 ... 312!8i6656
Anderson St, Portland https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.349 ... 312!8i6656
Garden St, Portland https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.331 ... 312!8i6656
Kennedy St, Portland https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.335 ... 312!8i6656
Darts Rd, Portland North https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.315 ... 328!8i1664
Henty Hwy, Heathmere https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.219 ... 328!8i1664
Mt Clay Rd, Heywood https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.133 ... 328!8i1664
Woolsthorpe - Heywood Rd https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.127 ... 328!8i1664
Hamilton - Port Fairy Rd https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.763 ... 328!8i1664
Sth Boundary Rd, Hamilton (no GSV) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.758 ... 174293,17z
Tyers St, Hamilton https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.737 ... 312!8i6656
Mill Rd, Hamilton https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.731 ... 312!8i6656
Mill Rd, Strathkellar (no GSV) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.708 ... 960914,17z
Glenelg Hwy, Moutajup https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.665 ... 312!8i6656
Glenelg Hwy, Glenthompson https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.636 ... 312!8i6656

Could have done more if it wasn't for the rain, but got to film three crossings so I can't complain.

I wouldn't complain about that either, as you've gotten all the crossings with the rarer m-bells. If I ever head down to the area, I can clean up the remaining crossings...

[McK&H.Aust]

Sometime tells me y'all would've loved the New Jersey Transit's Commuter Rail system prior to 2017. Back then it was all mechanical bells and the NJT had yet to approve any e-bells for use. However, the majority of the system still has mechanical bells, but only time will tell how much longer it will remain that way.

Y'all may also like the Long Island Railroad as well, as almost every crossing along their lines only uses mechanical bells (there's a few General Signals e-bells here and there, but not many according to GSV).

Sounds very nice! Is it just me, or does most of the coolest equipment seem to be the furthest away

[McK&H.Aust]

It's really worth the trip to see so many m-bells, maybe make it an overnight trip so you have more time. Driving and then stopping to look at the crossings certainly chews up the time very quickly! The two days just flew past for me.


These are all of the crossings which I photograped...
Cliff St, Portland https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.355 ... 312!8i6656
Anderson St, Portland https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.349 ... 312!8i6656
Garden St, Portland https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.331 ... 312!8i6656
Kennedy St, Portland https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.335 ... 312!8i6656
Darts Rd, Portland North https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.315 ... 328!8i1664
Henty Hwy, Heathmere https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.219 ... 328!8i1664
Mt Clay Rd, Heywood https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.133 ... 328!8i1664
Woolsthorpe - Heywood Rd https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.127 ... 328!8i1664
Hamilton - Port Fairy Rd https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.763 ... 328!8i1664
Sth Boundary Rd, Hamilton (no GSV) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.758 ... 174293,17z
Tyers St, Hamilton https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.737 ... 312!8i6656
Mill Rd, Hamilton https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.731 ... 312!8i6656
Mill Rd, Strathkellar (no GSV) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.708 ... 960914,17z
Glenelg Hwy, Moutajup https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.665 ... 312!8i6656
Glenelg Hwy, Glenthompson https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.636 ... 312!8i6656

Could have done more if it wasn't for the rain, but got to film three crossings so I can't complain.

I wouldn't complain about that either, as you've gotten all the crossings with the rarer m-bells. If I ever head down to the area, I can clean up the remaining crossings...

Certainly worth a visit to the area. I'm actually wondering if the old equipment has survived because the line sees few trains and therefore not much income is generated by it, so ARTC don't want to spend much on it because they won't get a return on the investment.

[freebrickproductions]

Sometime tells me y'all would've loved the New Jersey Transit's Commuter Rail system prior to 2017. Back then it was all mechanical bells and the NJT had yet to approve any e-bells for use. However, the majority of the system still has mechanical bells, but only time will tell how much longer it will remain that way.

Y'all may also like the Long Island Railroad as well, as almost every crossing along their lines only uses mechanical bells (there's a few General Signals e-bells here and there, but not many according to GSV).

Sounds very nice! Is it just me, or does most of the coolest equipment seem to be the furthest away

That's probably the case, sadly...

[Username1]

Went past the Seaford Road crossing last night and the temporary crossing equipent has been installed. The train tracks have been moved to right up against the backyards of the houses on Fortescue Avenue so the new rail bridge can be installed where the tracks used to be.

The crossing now has all LED lights, new poles, still has E bells, but I’m not sure if they’re the same ones because the crossing won’t be active until June 18th (when the trains come back). It was also too dark to see what gate mechs it had though, but I’m pretty sure they were just the original Safetran ones. New longer gates were also installed.

[trainman7]

Looks like Yankee Rd, Henty and Baird St, Culcairn crossings are being upgraded in late June, according to the recently released ARTC safe notices.
https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... 2134922738
https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... 2134922738
Hopefully both crossings have WCH lights and Aldridge LEDs. I wonder if they’ll show up in this years LCSC report since there was no mention of them last year?

[McK&H.Aust]

Looks like Yankee Rd, Henty and Baird St, Culcairn crossings are being upgraded in late June, according to the recently released ARTC safe notices.
https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... 2134922738
https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... 2134922738
Hopefully both crossings have WCH lights and Aldridge LEDs. I wonder if they’ll show up in this years LCSC report since there was no mention of them last year?

I'm betting they will have the WCH lights. It's odd that ARTC insist on naming the crossing at Henty as Yankee Rd, when the current street signs, and google maps name the road as Rosler Parade

Also found some information on the ARTC website about the upgrade of other gateless crossings on the Melbourne - Sydney line....

Ewings Rd, Avenel https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.895 ... 328!8i1664 is due to be upgraded on July 23 https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... 1641475723

Finally, Oconnors Rd at Mangalore https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.933 ... 328!8i1664 is scheduled for upgrade on July 30 https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... 1641475723


I've finished travelling now (need a rest lol) and thought I would report a few observations.

Though I'd check out a couple of places on the Mildura line after the conversion to standard gauge. First up was St Arnaud where it was very sad to see that the connections to all of the sidings have been removed, leaving just the main line in operation. As previously reported, all of the m-bells in town have been replaced by Safetran type 3 e-bells. All of the incandescent lights have been upgraded to LED, and a few of the crossings which previously had McK&H lights have been replaced by Westinghouse LED's, such as this one https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.616 ... 312!8i6656

One good bit of news is the Wabco bell still remains at Donald https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.379 ... 312!8i6656 The track has been converted to standard gauge and a new grade recently installed at the crossing, so I guess they intend to use the siding in the future, although the track is quite rusty at the moment. The lights here have also been upgraded to LED.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1VKz5G ... hHUwSx7dPu
https://drive.google.com/open?id=12SwVd ... aCMwMXqz-6
https://drive.google.com/open?id=15dY9C ... GMx6Fce8Bi
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1LfByD ... P46xjGAoLz
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1qTrta ... EkSkrkIwO3

While at Donald, I also noticed something odd about the nearby Sunraysia Hwy crossing on the main line https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.379 ... 312!8i6656 You can see from the 2010 GSV image that the crossing was being upgraded at the time, since then the old gateless signals have been replaced by the new signals which were obviously intended to have gates, but in 2018 the gate mechs still haven't been installed.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1vX-pN ... maURtqYpms
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1i2E9d ... 9yiCudNX_W

While at Swan Hill, I also visited Kerang to check the crossings there. As expected, all crossings now have e-bells, and a couple of the older gateless installations now have completely new signals, although they remain gateless.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.728 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.724 ... 312!8i6656

Moving on to NSW, managed to film the crossing at Hebden Road, Ravensworth before it's impending removal https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-32.440 ... 312!8i6656

Finally filmed the crossing at Grasstree which still has Westinghouse hybrid bells and Westinghouse lights https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Vjo2G ... zvYbpXGYUF
The GSV image still shows the crossing when it was passive back in February 2008! https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-32.286 ... 328!8i1664


Also filmed the crossing at Brook St, Muswellbrook with it's Modern Industries bell https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-32.263 ... 312!8i6656 Sadly, I fear the MI bell could be on borrowed time, as it is very slow to get going when the crossing acivates. For the first train I filmed, the MI bell didn't start ringing until 3 seconds after the crossing had activated, you could hear the other WCH m-bell and the pedestrian alarms start up well before then. It was worse for the second and third trains, when the bell didn't start ringing until after 11 or 12 seconds (the gates were already lowering). Once the bell did get going it sounded fine, so hopefully it recieves some maintenance rather than being replaced.


Was going to film the crossing at Mareeba Rd, Parkville https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.984 ... 312!8i6656 but sadly, the Westinghouse hybrid bells have been replaced by Safetran type 3 e-bells
The hybrid bells were still there when I last drove past in October 2017, so they must have been replaced quite recently. It's strange that ARTC are still using Siemens e-bells, I thought they would have used WCH e-bells to replace the hybrids