They certainly are butchering all the nice crossings. I wonder if that teardrop bell has been replaced already, the image is from 2010.
TrickyMario7654 wrote:Also, I absolutely hate the red backgrounds! They look incredibly ugly.
I'm not a big fan of the crossbucks with red backgrounds. I can understand them being used on passive crossings because they stand out more and alert the user to an extra level of danger. But using them on crossings with active protection seems over the top, as it's the lights and bells which really do the talking. On some crossings I have seen the red backgrounds installed in front of the bell and they actually block out some of the sound, that seems a bit pointless.
They certainly are butchering all the nice crossings. I wonder if that teardrop bell has been replaced already, the image is from 2010.
Have you read of what Metro does to retired infrastructure? If not, here you go...
chris96 wrote:I visited the V.R Workshops today (an antique store in Albert Park that sells a lot of old railway infrastructure) and I was speaking to the owner who is a serious railway collector and is really interested in the preservation of vintage equipment. He worked on the railways for many years and still has some connections with people working there today. He was telling me that Metro have this stupid policy where no one is allowed to benefit from used equipment and all retired infrastructure must be destroyed! God knows why this is a thing, but almost all of the removed mechanical bells and other crossing equipment have been smashed up and sold as scrap metal! Apparently, Metro employees have even destroyed things right in front of him just to spite the poor guy. For example, once their was a pile of Teadrop and Hybrid bells in the yards at Newport that had been marked as scrap. When he approached the workmen at the site asking if they would part with them so they could be preserved, a nasty employee basiclly told him to "F off" and lit all of the bells on fire, burning them to ruble. At first this seemed really far-fetched and I couldn't believe that such a thing would happen within such a huge organisation as Metro, but apparently, this is the attitude of many people working for the company. He told me "most don't care about their job or the equipment they work with and there are a few (immature d-heads with an anti-authority attitude) who just enjoy smashing old stuff". But again, it is written within Metro's company policy that all old equipment must have a hammer taken to them and be completely destroyed. That is the most ridiculous policy I have ever heard of and have no idea why they don't want a little extra cash from enthusiasts instead of going out of their way to ensure they can never lay a finger on their old stuff. Sorry about this long rant, but I just can't believe the amount of stupid here! At least I managed to save two Hybrid bells from the Level Crossing Removal Authority (I have no idea why/how they gave them to me after hearing all of the horrible stuff Metro are doing). I was told that within the next couple of years, all remaining M-Bells an suburban Melbourne will be replaced.
Metro, why do you keep removing Mechanical bells?!
TrickyMario7654 wrote:
Have you read of what Metro does to retired infrastructure? If not, here you go...
chris96 wrote:I visited the V.R Workshops today (an antique store in Albert Park that sells a lot of old railway infrastructure) and I was speaking to the owner who is a serious railway collector and is really interested in the preservation of vintage equipment. He worked on the railways for many years and still has some connections with people working there today. He was telling me that Metro have this stupid policy where no one is allowed to benefit from used equipment and all retired infrastructure must be destroyed! God knows why this is a thing, but almost all of the removed mechanical bells and other crossing equipment have been smashed up and sold as scrap metal! Apparently, Metro employees have even destroyed things right in front of him just to spite the poor guy. For example, once their was a pile of Teadrop and Hybrid bells in the yards at Newport that had been marked as scrap. When he approached the workmen at the site asking if they would part with them so they could be preserved, a nasty employee basiclly told him to "F off" and lit all of the bells on fire, burning them to ruble. At first this seemed really far-fetched and I couldn't believe that such a thing would happen within such a huge organisation as Metro, but apparently, this is the attitude of many people working for the company. He told me "most don't care about their job or the equipment they work with and there are a few (immature d-heads with an anti-authority attitude) who just enjoy smashing old stuff". But again, it is written within Metro's company policy that all old equipment must have a hammer taken to them and be completely destroyed. That is the most ridiculous policy I have ever heard of and have no idea why they don't want a little extra cash from enthusiasts instead of going out of their way to ensure they can never lay a finger on their old stuff. Sorry about this long rant, but I just can't believe the amount of stupid here! At least I managed to save two Hybrid bells from the Level Crossing Removal Authority (I have no idea why/how they gave them to me after hearing all of the horrible stuff Metro are doing). I was told that within the next couple of years, all remaining M-Bells an suburban Melbourne will be replaced.
That doesn't surprise me at all. Many rail employees have poor morale, mostly because of constant job cuts and "restructuring" by management. Even if someone didn't mind giving away old equipment, they would probably be afraid to in case they were found out and lost their job. Pretty sure it's a similar situation in NSW where all old equipment must be disposed of through the "proper channels" which usually means it is scrapped.
TrickyMario7654 wrote:
Have you read of what Metro does to retired infrastructure? If not, here you go...
chris96 wrote:I visited the V.R Workshops today (an antique store in Albert Park that sells a lot of old railway infrastructure) and I was speaking to the owner who is a serious railway collector and is really interested in the preservation of vintage equipment. He worked on the railways for many years and still has some connections with people working there today. He was telling me that Metro have this stupid policy where no one is allowed to benefit from used equipment and all retired infrastructure must be destroyed! God knows why this is a thing, but almost all of the removed mechanical bells and other crossing equipment have been smashed up and sold as scrap metal! Apparently, Metro employees have even destroyed things right in front of him just to spite the poor guy. For example, once their was a pile of Teadrop and Hybrid bells in the yards at Newport that had been marked as scrap. When he approached the workmen at the site asking if they would part with them so they could be preserved, a nasty employee basiclly told him to "F off" and lit all of the bells on fire, burning them to ruble. At first this seemed really far-fetched and I couldn't believe that such a thing would happen within such a huge organisation as Metro, but apparently, this is the attitude of many people working for the company. He told me "most don't care about their job or the equipment they work with and there are a few (immature d-heads with an anti-authority attitude) who just enjoy smashing old stuff". But again, it is written within Metro's company policy that all old equipment must have a hammer taken to them and be completely destroyed. That is the most ridiculous policy I have ever heard of and have no idea why they don't want a little extra cash from enthusiasts instead of going out of their way to ensure they can never lay a finger on their old stuff. Sorry about this long rant, but I just can't believe the amount of stupid here! At least I managed to save two Hybrid bells from the Level Crossing Removal Authority (I have no idea why/how they gave them to me after hearing all of the horrible stuff Metro are doing). I was told that within the next couple of years, all remaining M-Bells an suburban Melbourne will be replaced.
That doesn't surprise me at all. Many rail employees have poor morale, mostly because of constant job cuts and "restructuring" by management. Even if someone didn't mind giving away old equipment, they would probably be afraid to in case they were found out and lost their job. Pretty sure it's a similar situation in NSW where all old equipment must be disposed of through the "proper channels" which usually means it is scrapped.
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.
Metro, why do you keep removing Mechanical bells?!
TrickyMario7654 wrote:
Have you read of what Metro does to retired infrastructure? If not, here you go...
chris96 wrote:I visited the V.R Workshops today (an antique store in Albert Park that sells a lot of old railway infrastructure) and I was speaking to the owner who is a serious railway collector and is really interested in the preservation of vintage equipment. He worked on the railways for many years and still has some connections with people working there today. He was telling me that Metro have this stupid policy where no one is allowed to benefit from used equipment and all retired infrastructure must be destroyed! God knows why this is a thing, but almost all of the removed mechanical bells and other crossing equipment have been smashed up and sold as scrap metal! Apparently, Metro employees have even destroyed things right in front of him just to spite the poor guy. For example, once their was a pile of Teadrop and Hybrid bells in the yards at Newport that had been marked as scrap. When he approached the workmen at the site asking if they would part with them so they could be preserved, a nasty employee basiclly told him to "F off" and lit all of the bells on fire, burning them to ruble. At first this seemed really far-fetched and I couldn't believe that such a thing would happen within such a huge organisation as Metro, but apparently, this is the attitude of many people working for the company. He told me "most don't care about their job or the equipment they work with and there are a few (immature d-heads with an anti-authority attitude) who just enjoy smashing old stuff". But again, it is written within Metro's company policy that all old equipment must have a hammer taken to them and be completely destroyed. That is the most ridiculous policy I have ever heard of and have no idea why they don't want a little extra cash from enthusiasts instead of going out of their way to ensure they can never lay a finger on their old stuff. Sorry about this long rant, but I just can't believe the amount of stupid here! At least I managed to save two Hybrid bells from the Level Crossing Removal Authority (I have no idea why/how they gave them to me after hearing all of the horrible stuff Metro are doing). I was told that within the next couple of years, all remaining M-Bells an suburban Melbourne will be replaced.
That doesn't surprise me at all. Many rail employees have poor morale, mostly because of constant job cuts and "restructuring" by management. Even if someone didn't mind giving away old equipment, they would probably be afraid to in case they were found out and lost their job. Pretty sure it's a similar situation in NSW where all old equipment must be disposed of through the "proper channels" which usually means it is scrapped.
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.
McK&H.Aust wrote:That doesn't surprise me at all. Many rail employees have poor morale, mostly because of constant job cuts and "restructuring" by management. Even if someone didn't mind giving away old equipment, they would probably be afraid to in case they were found out and lost their job. Pretty sure it's a similar situation in NSW where all old equipment must be disposed of through the "proper channels" which usually means it is scrapped.
Saw it on Facebook as well.
Lots of people want to buy the flashing lights and crossbucks to put in their garden or man cave.
For some reason I can't upload pictures (maybe because I'm on an IPhone), but anyway, people were asking if they were going to install the boom gates/ other equipment onto crossings that don't have and gates/ lights in the country side. LXRA replied saying "We are unsure if we are going to reuse the equipment or sell it off the the community. We will asses the crossing equipment and see if it's in good condition to be reused". Something along the lines of that.
Metro, why are you so bad at maintaining your railway crossings??
Sorry to but in guys, but I'm planning on going along the Albury line in a couple of weeks. After all, many of the crossings still have mechanical bells on them. I hear that the teardrop bell at Baddaginnie will soon be gone (thanks TrickyMario7654 for that info), but does anyone know if any of the others are still there? I'm talking about one's like Down st, Longwood, Mcdiarmids rd, Violet Town, Old Hume hwy, Glenrowan, or if there are any others that are worth checking out on the line?
StuartHunt101 wrote:Sorry to but in guys, but I'm planning on going along the Albury line in a couple of weeks. After all, many of the crossings still have mechanical bells on them. I hear that the teardrop bell at Baddaginnie will soon be gone (thanks TrickyMario7654 for that info), but does anyone know if any of the others are still there? I'm talking about one's like Down st, Longwood, Mcdiarmids rd, Violet Town, Old Hume hwy, Glenrowan, or if there are any others that are worth checking out on the line?
Not too sure about Longwood or Violet Town. However, I do know that the Teardrop at Glenrowan has been replaced with a Hybrid bell.
Also, it seems that Metro sometimes uses M-Bells to replace M-Bells!
TrickyMario7654 wrote:
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.
As far as I know they moved all four signals further away from the edge of the road to allow it to be widened. The gateless signal on the ocean side is actually taller than the previous one to allow better sighting of the lights for vehicles travelling up the hill. My guess is that it was easier to use new signals because they could be installed, wired up and tested beforehand. This would reduce the amount of work that had to be done over the weekend when the gates were brought into use. The track was only closed for 48 hours and they like to make the most of that time. The hardest part was probably digging the old foundations out of the ground and filling in the holes!
I am pleased to report that at least two of the old signals (including the one with the bell) have been saved for spares. I saw them yesterday in the storage compound at Wollongong, they actually have them standing up and it looks like they are fastened to the ground!!! The bell still sounded healthy so hopefully it may be re-used somewhere. As you can see in the video, all of the masts and the lights were in good condition as they were only installed in 2005.
That signal with the bell would look good in my back yard, it's not going to happen but dreaming is free
God knows why this is a thing, but almost all of the removed mechanical bells and other crossing equipment have been smashed up and sold as scrap metal! 
