Australian Railroad Crossing Signals

[TrickyMario7654]

At Ingles St on the Port Melbourne light rail, you can still see a marking in the pavement from where the original railway signals once stood:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.832 ... 312!8i6656
A close up:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.832 ... 312!8i6656

Just further up the road, is this odd advanced warning sign. Wonder why they used the older version?
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.831 ... 312!8i6656

[TrickyMario7654]

I think I've found the oldest crossing signal still in service in Victoria! It's at the Main Street crossing in Pakenham.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.080 ... 312!8i6656

I'm referring to this particular signal.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.080 ... 312!8i6656

According to this site, flashing lights were installed at the crossing in 1938. It also mentions that gates were installed at the crossing in 1986. I believe they probably reused the entire signal, judging by the fact that the gate mechanism is on a separate mast pole.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.080 ... 312!8i6656

If you look carefully, you can make out that the lights are McK&H!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.080 ... 312!8i6656

Interestingly, it's got a pinnacle of a semaphore signal too!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.080 ... 312!8i6656

That signal has been in service for almost 80 years now, and it's still going strong! (I wish you good luck trying to find anything older!)

That's not all! These mast poles look like they've been reused as well!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.079 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.080 ... 312!8i6656

When they installed gates here, this was probably the only new signal that went in. According to this old picture (I've shared this before), were this signal stands currently, was were the signal with the bell (a McK&H Teardrop!) once stood.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.079 ... 312!8i6656

One more thing, this crossing has hardly changed (presumably) over the past 30 years! I'm pretty sure that the crossing originally had B&W gates. Aside from those being replaced, the crossing has remained the same ever since the gates were installed! It still has the original incandescent lights, the original hybrid bells, the original gate mechs, and even the original pedestrian crossings. Unlike most of the remaining pedestrian boom barrier setups in Melbourne, this one is still in the original yellow color!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.079 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.079 ... 312!8i6656

[chris96]

I think I've found the oldest crossing signal still in service in Victoria! It's at the Main Street crossing in Pakenham.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.080 ... 312!8i6656

I'm referring to this particular signal.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.080 ... 312!8i6656

According to this site, flashing lights were installed at the crossing in 1938. It also mentions that gates were installed at the crossing in 1986. I believe they probably reused the entire signal, judging by the fact that the gate mechanism is on a separate mast pole.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.080 ... 312!8i6656

If you look carefully, you can make out that the lights are McK&H!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.080 ... 312!8i6656

Interestingly, it's got a pinnacle of a semaphore signal too!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.080 ... 312!8i6656

That signal has been in service for almost 80 years now, and it's still going strong! (I wish you good luck trying to find anything older!)

That's not all! These mast poles look like they've been reused as well!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.079 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.080 ... 312!8i6656

When they installed gates here, this was probably the only new signal that went in. According to this old picture (I've shared this before), were this signal stands currently, was were the signal with the bell (a McK&H Teardrop!) once stood.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.079 ... 312!8i6656

One more thing, this crossing has hardly changed (presumably) over the past 30 years! I'm pretty sure that the crossing originally had B&W gates. Aside from those being replaced, the crossing has remained the same ever since the gates were installed! It still has the original incandescent lights, the original hybrid bells, the original gate mechs, and even the original pedestrian crossings. Unlike most of the remaining pedestrian boom barrier setups in Melbourne, this one is still in the original yellow color!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.079 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.079 ... 312!8i6656

What a gem! I love how classic signals always had a "hat" on top. Though, normally they are smaller than the semaphore signal style pinnacle you described above. They always look great and help present the signal really well:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.921 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.906 ... 312!8i6656

Today they just use a simple cap instead:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.716 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.687 ... 312!8i6656

So that's another classic signal item that's slowly disappearing from the railways.

[TrickyMario7654]

What a gem! I love how classic signals always had a "hat" on top. Though, normally they are smaller than the semaphore signal style pinnacle you described above. They always look great and help present the signal really well:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.921 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.906 ... 312!8i6656

Today they just use a simple cap instead:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.716 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.687 ... 312!8i6656

So that's another classic signal item that's slowly disappearing from the railways.

The old abandoned South Gippsland line between Cranbourne and Nyora had some neat signals along the line too. I've shared them before in the 'Tracks Out of Service' thread, but here's some highlights.

This looks like's a Westinghouse Teardrop.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.116 ... 312!8i6656

A RACO Bell!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.106 ... 312!8i6656

I remember passing through this one in Koo Wee Rup a lot. Only recently, did I find out that it had GRS XB/XD lights!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.199 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.199 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.199 ... 312!8i6656

Tall Mast, with two flashers and a Teardrop bell!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.264 ... 312!8i6656
Semaphore Signal!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.264 ... 312!8i6656

I would get pictures of them, but they've ripped them out now. (They've also converted a portion of the track into a trail in Koo Wee Rup.) Despite this, most of the track still survives (Victrack are still keeping the ROW in case if the line is reactive in future.) Honestly, I'm kicking myself for not taking any pictures of them when they were still intact!

Interestingly, this crossing is still intact! It's the first out of service crossing on the line (Just after Cranbourne station).
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.100 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.100 ... 312!8i6656

The Semaphore signal in Lang Lang has survived too!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.264 ... 312!8i6656

Lastly, the station platform's at Koo Wee Rup and Lang Lang are intact too! (Without the buildings, though.)

[freebrickproductions]

A RACO Bell!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.106 ... 312!8i6656

That looks more like a Safetran to me...

[TrickyMario7654]

A RACO Bell!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.106 ... 312!8i6656

That looks more like a Safetran to me...

Oops. I thought it was a RACO bell judging by the age of the signals.

[chris96]

The old abandoned South Gippsland line between Cranbourne and Nyora had some neat signals along the line too. I've shared them before in the 'Tracks Out of Service' thread, but here's some highlights.

This looks like's a Westinghouse Teardrop.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.116 ... 312!8i6656

A RACO Bell!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.106 ... 312!8i6656

I remember passing through this one in Koo Wee Rup a lot. Only recently, did I find out that it had GRS XB/XD lights!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.199 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.199 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.199 ... 312!8i6656

Tall Mast, with two flashers and a Teardrop bell!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.264 ... 312!8i6656
Semaphore Signal!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.264 ... 312!8i6656

I would get pictures of them, but they've ripped them out now. (They've also converted a portion of the track into a trail in Koo Wee Rup.) Despite this, most of the track still survives (Victrack are still keeping the ROW in case if the line is reactive in future.) Honestly, I'm kicking myself for not taking any pictures of them when they were still intact!

Interestingly, this crossing is still intact! It's the first out of service crossing on the line (Just after Cranbourne station).
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.100 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.100 ... 312!8i6656

The Semaphore signal in Lang Lang has survived too!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.264 ... 312!8i6656

Lastly, the station platform's at Koo Wee Rup and Lang Lang are intact too! (Without the buildings, though.)

I love how the surviving signals at abandoned crossings are often "frozen in time" as they normally have old equipment and/or are installed in ways not currently seen as "acceptable" on modern installs. For example, there's no way a crossing on a major highway like the one at Cranbourne wouldn't have boom gates in this day and age.

I'm also really puzzled as to why this particular signal is new (it even has LED lights!):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.100 ... 312!8i6656

Even the relay case looks pretty new:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.100 ... 312!8i6656

I wonder if these signals (or any others on abandoned lines) would still activate if the track was shunted?

Also, the Narre Warren - Cranbourne Rd crossing had Magnetic Autocontrol pedestrian swing gates back in February of 2008:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.106 ... 328!8i1664

But by September, they were removed:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.106 ... 328!8i1664

[TrickyMario7654]

I wonder if these signals (or any others on abandoned lines) would still activate if the track was shunted?

Also, the Narre Warren - Cranbourne Rd crossing had Magnetic Autocontrol pedestrian swing gates back in February of 2008:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.106 ... 328!8i1664

But by September, they were removed:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.106 ... 328!8i1664

Now that's something I would like to see! I might try that with that crossing at Moonlight Flat if we do go on holiday. (Hopefully it's not breaking the law!)

I never noticed the pedestrian gates for some reason! Good pickup. Wonder why they did that?

[chris96]

Now that's something I would like to see! I might try that with that crossing at Moonlight Flat if we do go on holiday. (Hopefully it's not breaking the law!)

I never noticed the pedestrian gates for some reason! Good pickup. Wonder why they did that?

I wouldn't recommend any tampering with crossing signals (even if the line is out of service). It is certainly breaking the law and if you get caught, you could get in some serious trouble!

As for the pedestrian gates, I assume they were moved to another crossing in Melbourne to replace/upgrade the pedestrian protection, as the gates weren't very old.

I also found a few images of some of Melbourne's level crossings in the 1950/60's. It's interesting to see how some things have changed, but some original equipment remains in place today.

Here's Giffard St, Williamstown in the 50's:



And here it is in 2013. Notice the lights are still original and the position of the gate is the same!:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.865 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.865 ... 312!8i6656

Bridge st, Port Melbourne in the 50's:



Bridge st, Port Melbourne in 2015:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.834 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.834 ... 312!8i6656

Macaulay Rd, Kensington in the 60's:



Macaulay Rd, Kensington in 2015:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.794 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.794 ... 312!8i6656

Toorak Rd, Kooyong in the 60's (notice the cantilever on the left side):


Toorak Rd, Kooyong in 2015:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.844 ... 312!8i6656

Dendy St, Brighton in the 60's:


Dendy St, Brighton in 2013 (the teardrop and safetran bell have since been replaced:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.919 ... 312!8i6656

Springvale Rd, Springvale in the 50's:
http://wiki.prov.vic.gov.au/images/6/6f ... 34-160.jpg

Springvale Rd, Springvale in 2009:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.949 ... 312!8i6656

Springvale Rd, Springvale in 2015:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.949 ... 312!8i6656

Grange Rd, Alphington in the 60's:


Grange Rd, Alphington in 2016:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.778 ... 312!8i6656

As seen in this image, the lights are still original!:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.779 ... 312!8i6656

Gaffney St, Pascoe Vale in the 60's:



Gaffney St, Pascoe Vale in 2014:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.730 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.730 ... 312!8i6656

The gate mechs are original:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.730 ... 312!8i6656

[TrickyMario7654]

I wouldn't recommend any tampering with crossing signals (even if the line is out of service). It is certainly breaking the law and if you get caught, you could get in some serious trouble!

Yeah, I probably shouldn't do it. But thanks for sharing those old pictures of Melbourne level crossings.

Bridge St, Port Melbourne in the 50's:



Bridge St, Port Melbourne in 2015:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.834 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.834 ... 312!8i6656

I bet those signals are long gone now! (Wouldn't it been cool if they keep them when they converted the line to light rail?)

Macaulay Rd, Kensington in the 60's:



Macaulay Rd, Kensington in 2015:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.794 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.794 ... 312!8i6656

I noticed the old interlocking gate in the background too. Wonder why they kept it?

Toorak Rd, Kooyong in the 60's (notice the cantilever on the left side):


Toorak Rd, Kooyong in 2015:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.844 ... 312!8i6656

I like that American cantilever in the old crossing. I bet this crossing was replaced when they widened the road.

Springvale Rd, Springvale in the 50's:


Springvale Rd, Springvale in 2009:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.949 ... 312!8i6656

Springvale Rd, Springvale in 2015:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.949 ... 312!8i6656

Funny you should mention that, because yesterday, I dug out some old pictures I took of the crossing and the nearby station. I've submitted them to freebricks, so you might see them in a future update.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... TVTRlNiX1k

Anyways, I really do like that old crossing! It sort of reminds me of High Street, Wodonga and Centre Road, Clayton because of the median lights being mounted above the crossbucks. Too bad it got eliminated.

Gaffney St, Pascoe Vale in the 60's:



Gaffney St, Pascoe Vale in 2014:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.730 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.730 ... 312!8i6656

The gate mechs are original:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.730 ... 312!8i6656

I noticed the old Pascoe Vale station in the foreground. It's seems funny how the crossing managed to outlive the old station buildings.

Here's some more old images of Melbourne level crossings I've found.

Springvale Rd, Nunawading in the 50's:



Springvale Rd, Nunawading in 2007 (Turns out that these aren't the original signals!):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.820 ... 328!8i1664

Springvale Rd, Nunawading in 2009:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.820 ... 312!8i6656

Springvale Rd, Nunawading in 2014:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.820 ... 312!8i6656

Camp Rd, Broadmeadows in 1962:



Camp Rd, Broadmeadows in 2014 (Overpass built in the late 70's):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.684 ... 312!8i6656

Bell St, Coburg in 1963:



Bell St, Coburg in 2015:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.740 ... 312!8i6656

High St, Reservoir in 1963:



High St, Reservoir in 2014 (The older crossing looks WAY neater than the current one!):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.716 ... 312!8i6656

Madden Grove, Burnley in 1963:



Madden Grove, Burnley in 2014:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.827 ... 312!8i6656

The lights look to still be original on this signal:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.827 ... 312!8i6656

Devon Rd, Oak Park in 1965:



Devon Rd, Oak Park in 2014:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.721 ... 312!8i6656

They still have the original lights and gate mechs:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.721 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.721 ... 312!8i6656

Tooronga Rd, Malvern in 1967:



Moira St, Malvern East in the 60's:



Moira St, Malvern East in 2013. (Crossing was probably eliminated when they built the nearby Monash Freeway):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.867 ... 312!8i6656

Murray Rd, Preston in 1967:



Murray Rd, Preston in 2016. (Original gate mechs still in use!):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.737 ... 312!8i6656

Park Rd, Cheltenham in 1976. (Images courtesy of PJV)



Park Rd, Cheltenham in 2015.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.965 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.965 ... 312!8i6656

Greville St, Prahran in 1967.


Greville St, Prahran in 1977. (Another PJV photo)


Greville St, Prahran in 2014.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.849 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.849 ... 312!8i6656

Original gate mechs still survive:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.849 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.849 ... 312!8i6656

Riversdale Rd, Camberwell in 1977. (Image courtesy of Weston Langford)


Riversdale Rd, Camberwell in 2016.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.832 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.832 ... 312!8i6656

Boronia & Dorset Rd, Boronia in the early 90's?


Boronia & Dorset Rd, Boronia in 1998. (Image courtesy of Weston Langford)


Boronia & Dorset Rd, Boronia in 2013.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.862 ... 312!8i6656

Station St, Box Hill in 1983. (Again, all credit goes to Weston Langford)



Station St, Box Hill in 2016.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.819 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.819 ... 312!8i6656

Also, has anyone in Melbourne noticed that some suburban crossings look near identical? I sure have and are will to share some examples. (A lot of these also have something in common too!)

Compare Union Road, Surrey Hills...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.824 ... 312!8i6656

...to Mont Albert Road, Mont Albert. (I bet both crossing had their signals installed at the same time!)
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.820 ... 312!8i6656

Compare Rooks Road, Mitcham...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.819 ... 312!8i6656

...to Mitcham Road, Mitcham. (Both crossing had their signals installed in 1979, and out of pure luck, they were both grade separated at the same time in 2014!)
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.817 ... 312!8i6656

Compare Kororoit Creek Road, North Williamstown...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.852 ... 312!8i6656

...to North Road, Ormond, and...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.903 ... 312!8i6656

...to Melton Highway, Sydenham. (The thing in common with these three are that, they're being removed by Dan the Destructior. With North Road already being eliminated...)
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.695 ... 312!8i6656

Compare Gap Road, Sunbury...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.581 ... 312!8i6656

...to Clyde Road, Berwick.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.037 ... 312!8i6656