Some interesting upgrades done to all the level crossings beyond Keon Park station as part of the South Morang rail extension project, which saw the track on this section of the line duplicated.
The first crossing is Settlement Road in Thomastown.
Before:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.687 ... 312!8i6656
After:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.687 ... 312!8i6656
As you can tell, the old gate mechs and the hybrid bells were replaced.
Oddly, the old cantilever was retained (all the other cantilevers on this section of the line were replaced as part of the project).
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.687 ... 312!8i6656
The old traffic signals and the masts were replaced too.
Before:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.687 ... 312!8i6656
After:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.687 ... 312!8i6656
The crossbuck and SORS were also moved from the cantilever to the mast signal.
Before:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.687 ... 312!8i6656
After:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.687 ... 312!8i6656
Next crossing is Station Street, Thomastown
Before:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.682 ... 312!8i6656
After:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.682 ... 312!8i6656
As you can tell, the cantilevers have been replaced and they also now have an extra pair of lights facing towards adjacent roads.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.682 ... 312!8i6656
One of the old cantilevers was pretty rusty (much like at Murrumbeena).
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.682 ... 312!8i6656
The hybrid bells on the old crossing also were mounted on Teardrop mounting posts.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.682 ... 312!8i6656
The gate masts on the newer crossing are also relatively small.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.682 ... 312!8i6656
Our third crossing is called Manns Crossing, in Lalor.
Before:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.672 ... 312!8i6656
After (it's active in this shot):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.672 ... 312!8i6656
The old crossing had a Teardrop and a Safetran bell mounted on a Teardrop post.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.672 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.672 ... 312!8i6656
It also had old gate mechs.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.672 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.672 ... 312!8i6656
Our fourth crossing is Paschke Crescent, Lalor (street view incorrectly calls it Station Street).
Before:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.666 ... 328!8i1664
After:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.666 ... 312!8i6656
The old crossing had a Safetran bell mounted on a Teardrop post and a bell which I can't tell who made it due to the grainy image.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.666 ... 328!8i1664
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.666 ... 328!8i1664
An old cantilever (which has the '2 Tracks' sign mounted below the lights.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.666 ... 328!8i1664
The new crossing active.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.666 ... 312!8i6656
As you can tell, there was already a second track going through this crossing, so it was completely pointless replacing the signals here.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.666 ... 328!8i1664
The last crossing is Childs Road, Epping.
Before:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.659 ... 312!8i6656
After:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.659 ... 312!8i6656
The old crossing had quite possibly the only WCH or WRRS bell I've seen on the suburban rail network.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.659 ... 312!8i6656
The pedestrian boom barriers on one side had different coloured gates.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.659 ... 312!8i6656