Australian Railroad Crossing Signals

[McK&H.Aust]

Sorry for changing the topic but made a quick trip to Orange today. Only had time time to visit a couple of crossings. First stop was at Bathurst St, Rydal https://goo.gl/maps/69Uq5WXKAsDF94ms5
It remains unchanged thankfully!

Second was Ash St, Orange. https://goo.gl/maps/6rE4eB4gqw6AYo2S6 Unfortunately the original signals with GRS/WRRS type D gate mechs and a teardrop bell have been replaced. The new setup is fairly typical having WCH bases, United Group lights and Invensys gate mechs. I suspect the signals were installed in mid to late 2017 with the gate mechs having probably been the last of the Safetran/Invensys/Siemens stock in storage. However it’s not all boring equipment. For whatever reason, the new signals have two new WCH m-bells Not that I’m complaining, but I wonder why the crossing got m-bells instead of e-bells?
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/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/139253871 ... ed-public/

Great pictures there, despite the loss of some old equipment it's very pleasing to see more new m-bells being installed

The new equipment at Ash St is very similar to the upgraded signals at Oakey Forest Rd, Marrangaroo and I wonder if both upgrades happened around the same time. I wonder if just like Marrangaroo, the crossing at Ash St also had some very short lived Safetran type 3's before they were replaced by the m-bells?
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.451 ... 312!8i6656

There is an overpass being constructed about 200 metres north of Ash St as part of the Orange Southern Feeder Road project and I wonder if the crossing will be removed?
Here is a video of the work in progress https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUETXP_rw-k

[trainman7]

Sorry for changing the topic but made a quick trip to Orange today. Only had time time to visit a couple of crossings. First stop was at Bathurst St, Rydal https://goo.gl/maps/69Uq5WXKAsDF94ms5
It remains unchanged thankfully!

Second was Ash St, Orange. https://goo.gl/maps/6rE4eB4gqw6AYo2S6 Unfortunately the original signals with GRS/WRRS type D gate mechs and a teardrop bell have been replaced. The new setup is fairly typical having WCH bases, United Group lights and Invensys gate mechs. I suspect the signals were installed in mid to late 2017 with the gate mechs having probably been the last of the Safetran/Invensys/Siemens stock in storage. However it’s not all boring equipment. For whatever reason, the new signals have two new WCH m-bells Not that I’m complaining, but I wonder why the crossing got m-bells instead of e-bells?
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/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/139253871 ... ed-public/

Great pictures there, despite the loss of some old equipment it's very pleasing to see more new m-bells being installed

The new equipment at Ash St is very similar to the upgraded signals at Oakey Forest Rd, Marrangaroo and I wonder if both upgrades happened around the same time. I wonder if just like Marrangaroo, the crossing at Ash St also had some very short lived Safetran type 3's before they were replaced by the m-bells?
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.451 ... 312!8i6656

There is an overpass being constructed about 200 metres north of Ash St as part of the Orange Southern Feeder Road project and I wonder if the crossing will be removed?
Here is a video of the work in progress https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUETXP_rw-k

Yes it is certainly good to see new m-bells installed!

Looking at the new Feeder Road plans, it would appear the nearby Elsham Rd https://goo.gl/maps/MGPPN46N8rKUNBZU9 would be closed to make way for the new road. I am pretty sure this will leave the crossing at Ash St open to allow access to the nearby industrial estate. This is basically confirmed when in the website it says “The project will improve access to and from Orange from the Mitchell Highway as well lessening traffic on the existing level crossing into the Leewood industrial estate.”
https://yoursay.orange.nsw.gov.au/news/ ... d-upgrades

[RedhenRailcarSAR]

Great finds Applehead. It’s always nice to have a peek into the past because you get to see stuff that isn’t common anymore, for example the manual boom gates.
That’s good to hear no one got hurt at the officer crash but by looking at the damage of the signal, looks like they are gonna replace it in my opinion. Just hoping they don’t use a GS Adjusted Type 1 or worse, replace all the other good equipment on the crossing!
Also it’s sad to hear about another teardrop going but it’s great they have installed more m bells in its place. Hopefully ARTC can do this more often or just try and avoid the Safetran Type 3. Don’t get me wrong, they are good/ok bells but they get boring after you start seeing them everywhere, with the exact same sound (though I do find interest in spotting the older ones with the taller base.
In other news, the Seaford line has started to receive red crossbucks the first 2 crossings, Leader St, Goodwood, and East Avenue, Clarence have them, but everything else including the lights and gate Mechs are unchanged.
Speaking of the Seaford line, I have hit a milestone since I have now filmed every single crossing on it! That’s 1 out of 6 metropolitan lines.
Also, did you know that Main Rd, Glenalta’s new Signals (which are nearly 10 years old) have recycled Mck&h Gate Mechs? Take a look for yourself https://www.google.com/maps/place/Main+ ... efcba9ab1b (it may be WRRS but to me it looks like Mck&h)
I think this is the most interesting example of reused equipment on the Adelaide Metro Network as the gate Mechs are practically vintage now, usually they use newer equipment.
Some more stuff about new signals, Coglin St on the Outer Harbor Line (which formerly had Signals with Lex c lights and black and white booms which got replaced during the T2T project in Adelaide, however the new signals use the same foundation) uses recycled Alstom lights, and interestingly enough, older WCH Gate Mechs. I wonder why they didn’t use newer ones.
Anyways I’m gonna stop here before this post turns into an essay

[Applehead137]

On a different subject, does anyone know when Westinghouse stopped producing gate mechs? I have only seen the EB mechs used in NSW and the last ones were installed in the late 1990's.

I believe the EB mechs stopped production in 1998. This crossing in Cragieburn was the last new installation to use them and was installed in the same year. Sadly, the hybrid bells at this crossing were replaced last year.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.571 ... 312!8i6656

As for the other type, I think they started production in 1980. This crossing in Highett was one of the first crossings to use them.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.944 ... 312!8i6656

This crossing in Yarraville was probably one of the last new installs to use them. It received boom gates in 1995 when the interlocking gates were abolished.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.816 ... 312!8i6656

Sorry for quoting a old post but are you sure about Wickham / Worthing roads being installed in 1980. Looking at the crossing it looks like it was installed in the 1960s. I mean like it has Mck&h bases on the gated signals and Mck&h crossarms and lights on the not gates signals . Some of which have been replaced with Westinghouse ones. I thought it could be that it was installed with ungated signals in the 1960s and then the gates were installed in 1980 . This could have been true but it has Mck&h bases on the gated signals so maybe not . One thing that could be true is if the signals were installed in 1980 using reused equipment. I’m not sure . Maybe it was installed in the 60s and got replacement mechs in 1980. Not sure . Also where did you find the info about it being installed in 1980 from?

[RedhenRailcarSAR]

On a different subject, does anyone know when Westinghouse stopped producing gate mechs? I have only seen the EB mechs used in NSW and the last ones were installed in the late 1990's.

I believe the EB mechs stopped production in 1998. This crossing in Cragieburn was the last new installation to use them and was installed in the same year. Sadly, the hybrid bells at this crossing were replaced last year.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.571 ... 312!8i6656

As for the other type, I think they started production in 1980. This crossing in Highett was one of the first crossings to use them.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.944 ... 312!8i6656

This crossing in Yarraville was probably one of the last new installs to use them. It received boom gates in 1995 when the interlocking gates were abolished.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.816 ... 312!8i6656

Sorry for quoting a old post but are you sure about Wickham / Worthing roads being installed in 1980. Looking at the crossing it looks like it was installed in the 1960s. I mean like it has Mck&h bases on the gated signals and Mck&h crossarms and lights on the not gates signals . Some of which have been replaced with Westinghouse ones. I thought it could be that it was installed with ungated signals in the 1960s and then the gates were installed in 1980 . This could have been true but it has Mck&h bases on the gated signals so maybe not . One thing that could be true is if the signals were installed in 1980 using reused equipment. I’m not sure . Maybe it was installed in the 60s and got replacement mechs in 1980. Not sure . Also where did you find the info about it being installed in 1980 from?

I think he means that the gates were installed in the 80s, but quite clearly the gateless signals are from the 60s.

[TrickyMario7654]

Sorry for the double post but bad news. A crash has happened at Brunt road officer. 2 cars were on the tracks when the boom gates lowered . Lucky no one was killed but there’s injuries . Unfortunately one of the cars was thrown into one of the gates signals . From pictures it looks like the signal is bent off it’s base and signs are falling off plus the boom gate is smashed. I don’t know too much about the crash tho. https://apple.news/ArQpyU7PwSmuchjNUfrp27Q
This one shows the signal
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-15/ ... s/11309040

The second car rear-ended the first car and they stopped to exchange details, on the tracks... —According to that ABC news link.
On another note it will be interesting to see what the replacement signal will be. Most likely an e bell and a WCH gate mech. Will be interesting to see if Metro decides to keep the existing signal with the hybrid bell on the opposite side

Sadly it always seems to be classic equipment which is damaged in a crossing accident, never a new signal with a crappy sounding e-bell

Looking at the pictures it seems that the hybrid bell survived so hopefully it is reused on the replacement signal. One thing which annoys me whenever an accident like this happens is how the crossing is always portrayed as being dangerous when in fact the signals were working correctly and the whole thing was caused by a careless driver.

Actually, I have some good news about Brunt Road. The signal appears to have survived as I drove over the crossing a few days ago, and it still had the same equipment as it did prior to the accident (Westinghouse hybrid bells and gate mechs), even the mast appears to have survived, but I probably wasn’t paying closer attention to it. They would have had to replaced the smashed boom barrier with another one, though.

By the way, there’s still no crossbuck on that signal! You would think that Metro would have also taken the opportunity to install one on it since they had to re-erect the entire signal, but no, they didn’t for some odd reason!

[McK&H.Aust]

Actually, I have some good news about Brunt Road. The signal appears to have survived as I drove over the crossing a few days ago, and it still had the same equipment as it did prior to the accident (Westinghouse hybrid bells and gate mechs), even the mast appears to have survived, but I probably wasn’t paying closer attention to it. They would have had to replaced the smashed boom barrier with another one, though.

By the way, there’s still no crossbuck on that signal! You would think that Metro would have also taken the opportunity to install one on it since they had to re-erect the entire signal, but no, they didn’t for some odd reason!

That certainly is a miracle that the signal survived, a rare piece of good news indeed

I suspect that the fence around the signal may have broken it's fall and lessened the damage https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.061 ... 312!8i6656

[TrickyMario7654]

Actually, I have some good news about Brunt Road. The signal appears to have survived as I drove over the crossing a few days ago, and it still had the same equipment as it did prior to the accident (Westinghouse hybrid bells and gate mechs), even the mast appears to have survived, but I probably wasn’t paying closer attention to it. They would have had to replaced the smashed boom barrier with another one, though.

By the way, there’s still no crossbuck on that signal! You would think that Metro would have also taken the opportunity to install one on it since they had to re-erect the entire signal, but no, they didn’t for some odd reason!

That certainly is a miracle that the signal survived, a rare piece of good news indeed

I suspect that the fence around the signal may have broken it's fall and lessened the damage https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.061 ... 312!8i6656

I think you’re right about the fence there, take a look at this picture:
https://twitter.com/luckywells/status/1 ... 17984?s=20

While we’re on the topic of the accident, it appears that it was actually caused by one of the cars ramming into the other one while it was stopped at the crossing. Apparently the gates were beginning to lower when the collision between the two vehicles occurred, and the occupants had to quickly get out before the train came and squashed their vehicle. They’re very lucky to be alive today...
https://www.theage.com.au/national/vict ... 527uk.html

[RedhenRailcarSAR]

Sorry for the topic change but I found something really interesting. The School Rd, Menzies Creek crossing (the East side one with unmarked bases) has a new teardrop! It sounds different, and it also looks different as it has new paint. Here it is at 21:02 in the video https://youtu.be/UJButbFElxc
I think the old bell died, and it has ended up in the Emerald bell pile (maybe).
I also found out of another set of older Mck&h lights may exist. They are located in the abandoned Bordertown Road Safety School, but I don’t know where exactly it is or if it is still there. It also has loads of vintage traffic lights, its practically a signal collectors dream! https://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanthesc ... hotostream
Unfortunately one of the SORS signs is missing, and the lens are gone on one light. I also need to mention that it also has a pair of newer marked Mck&h lights, probably the only pair in SA left.

[chris96]

Sorry for the topic change but I found something really interesting. The School Rd, Menzies Creek crossing (the East side one with unmarked bases) has a new teardrop! It sounds different, and it also looks different as it has new paint. Here it is at 21:02 in the video https://youtu.be/UJButbFElxc
I think the old bell died, and it has ended up in the Emerald bell pile (maybe).
I also found out of another set of older Mck&h lights may exist. They are located in the abandoned Bordertown Road Safety School, but I don’t know where exactly it is or if it is still there. It also has loads of vintage traffic lights, its practically a signal collectors dream! https://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanthesc ... hotostream
Unfortunately one of the SORS signs is missing, and the lens are gone on one light. I also need to mention that it also has a pair of newer marked Mck&h lights, probably the only pair in SA left.

Very interesting. I wonder what went wrong with the previous Teardrop Bell? It seemed to be working perfectly in recent videos I've seen of that crossing and Teardrop bells don't tend to just suddenly stop working out of nowhere. At least PBR are still actively installing Teardrops on their crossings. They've done a great job restoring the one in the video, it looks almost brand new!

Great find with those older Mck&h lights too! It looks like quite a nice setup there, shame it's abandoned. I've noticed that many traffic schools tend to use telephone and fire alarm bells on their crossing signals instead of real crossing bells for some reason. It seems strange that they can often get real lights, masts and signs but not bells.

On an unrelated note, I have some good news I'd like to share. While traveling on the Geelong line today, I noticed that the Cherry Swamp Rd crossing in Little River still has its A-Frame wishbone gates!

This is most likely the last V/Line operated crossing to still have wishbone gates (and the second last rural crossing in the state along with High St Dimboola)

I also noticed that all four of the original Westinghouse gate mechs from the Station St crossing in Norlane are now sitting in a yard just outside North Geelong station. I can tell they are from this crossing due to the paintwork and rust patterns on the units. There are also many Safetran and WCH mechs lying around too:



Here's a side by side comparison of one of the mechs from when it was installed and how it currently looks in the yard:


The hybrid bells at this crossing were upgraded first in late 2015. The Westinghouse mechs were later replaced with new WCH units sometime between late 2016 and mid 2017:
2015 (before hybrids were replaced): https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.099 ... 312!8i6656
2017: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.099 ... 312!8i6656

Another yard at Lara also has a couple of gate mechs lying around:


The Safetran mech is likely this one from Wests Rd in Manor which was replaced by a new Siemens mech last year:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.930 ... 312!8i6656

Here's the Siemens mech that replaced it:



It's strange that they didn't use a WCH mech like they normally would. This is probably the only Siemens mech currently on a V/Line crossing.

Sorry for the long post BTW.