Australian Railroad Crossing Signals

[McK&H.Aust]

Also found this picture of the crossing at Blayney from January 2006. Looks like it did have a single Teardrop bell (likely Westinghouse) as you can make out a thick black bell on the signal closest to the camera.
http://www.ozroads.com.au/NSW/RouteNumb ... /24/11.JPG

Nice picture there, you found another crossing with large crossbucks. The bell in the picture looks like a WCH painted black, I saw the crossing in person back in 2004 and that's what it had then. These signals were installed at the same time as Ash St, Orange and would have originally had a Westinghouse teardrop bell. Pretty sure that signal still has the teardrop bell mount with a new WCH m-bell mounted on it.

[TrickyMario7654]

Also found this picture of the crossing at Blayney from January 2006. Looks like it did have a single Teardrop bell (likely Westinghouse) as you can make out a thick black bell on the signal closest to the camera.
http://www.ozroads.com.au/NSW/RouteNumb ... /24/11.JPG

Nice picture there, you found another crossing with large crossbucks. The bell in the picture looks like a WCH painted black, I saw the crossing in person back in 2004 and that's what it had then. These signals were installed at the same time as Ash St, Orange and would have originally had a Westinghouse teardrop bell. Pretty sure that signal still has the teardrop bell mount with a new WCH m-bell mounted on it.

You're right on that as well. The latest image shows what you've mentioned...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.527 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.527 ... 312!8i6656

I posted this crossing back in February this year, and I'm wondering why this crossing only has one bell despite it having gates?

[McK&H.Aust]

Also found this picture of the crossing at Blayney from January 2006. Looks like it did have a single Teardrop bell (likely Westinghouse) as you can make out a thick black bell on the signal closest to the camera.
http://www.ozroads.com.au/NSW/RouteNumb ... /24/11.JPG

Nice picture there, you found another crossing with large crossbucks. The bell in the picture looks like a WCH painted black, I saw the crossing in person back in 2004 and that's what it had then. These signals were installed at the same time as Ash St, Orange and would have originally had a Westinghouse teardrop bell. Pretty sure that signal still has the teardrop bell mount with a new WCH m-bell mounted on it.

You're right on that as well. The latest image shows what you've mentioned...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.527 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.527 ... 312!8i6656

I posted this crossing back in February this year, and I'm wondering why this crossing only has one bell despite it having gates?

Yes it's odd to only have one bell, specially for an older installation (late 1970's) but then again, Wingham is the same. I know of a couple of newer gated installations (Albion Park Rail and Kembla Grange) which replaced gateless signals that only had one bell, so they only put one bell on the new signals. The signals at Blayney replaced hand operated gates, so that theory doesn't match. I'm wondering if those gate mechs are original, because if they are it's quite possible they are Federal Signal.

[TrickyMario7654]

According to this news article, the Boralma-Rutherglen Road, Boralma level crossing was upgraded with gates last week. Sadly, it's goodbye to another mechanical bell.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.265 ... 312!8i6656

On a more positive note, I found this VicRail Signalling Catalog from 1980. Pretty intresting to look at if you have plenty of spare time.
http://www.victorianrailways.net/signal ... g_1980.pdf

The level crossing stuff starts at page 63 and runs all the way up to page 92. The section contains detailed diagrams and specifications on several types of flashing lights signals, gated signals, and a variety of cantilever styles.

I also found a bunch of diagrams on passive crossing signage, turns out that they used to use old pieces of unserviceable rail for the posts!

The first diagram from 1947 is for the older 90 degree crossbucks.
http://www.victorianrailways.net/infast ... s/F332.jpg

1956 diagram showing drawings of the current crossbucks made out of aluminum and the Hazard Triangle. They used either wooden posts, pipe post, or unserviceable rail pieces.
http://www.victorianrailways.net/infast ... /f526c.jpg

An alternative version that uses a Stop sign. I remember seeing a picture of an old passive crossing that used the same Stop sign seen here.
http://www.victorianrailways.net/infast ... /f527c.jpg

Another variant with a "GIVE WAY TO TRAINS" sign.
http://www.victorianrailways.net/infast ... s/f587.jpg

The large "RAILWAY" "CROSSING" signs seen on the side of most crossings.
http://www.victorianrailways.net/infast ... /f609b.jpg

Some other diagrams on crossing arrangements and construction.
http://www.victorianrailways.net/infast ... s/f525.jpg
http://www.victorianrailways.net/infast ... s/f558.jpg
http://www.victorianrailways.net/infast ... /f577b.jpg
http://www.victorianrailways.net/infast ... s/f602.jpg
http://www.victorianrailways.net/infast ... s/f616.jpg
http://www.victorianrailways.net/infast ... s/f617.jpg

[McK&H.Aust]

According to this news article, the Boralma-Rutherglen Road, Boralma level crossing was upgraded with gates last week. Sadly, it's goodbye to another mechanical bell.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.265 ... 312!8i6656

Seems like every second week we are hearing about another crossing on the North East line being upgraded. I think the original press release said the upgrades would be completed by the end of 2018 but they will probably be finished well before then at the current rate

On a more positive note, I found this VicRail Signalling Catalog from 1980. Pretty intresting to look at if you have plenty of spare time.
http://www.victorianrailways.net/signal ... g_1980.pdf

The level crossing stuff starts at page 63 and runs all the way up to page 92. The section contains detailed diagrams and specifications on several types of flashing lights signals, gated signals, and a variety of cantilever styles.

Nice find there, I like how all the drawings show the crossings with teardrop bells, no such thing as e-bells back then

I noticed on pages 75 and 76 there is a diagram and a picture of the Stop-Start Pushbuttons for level crossings. I actually saw the same buttons a couple of days ago on this crossing at Kembla Grange, they are attached to the posts with the stop signs on either side of the road https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.469 ... 312!8i6656

One of the button boxes didn't have a lock so I was able to get a picture of the buttons inside. The outside of the box was very rusty but it still has the small sign attached which reads "Push buttons for F.L. signal". Got plenty of pictures of the crossing and everything is still intact although heavily overgrown. The crossing was last used in 2012.

I also found a bunch of diagrams on passive crossing signage, turns out that they used to use old pieces of unserviceable rail for the posts!

The first diagram from 1947 is for the older 90 degree crossbucks.
http://www.victorianrailways.net/infast ... s/F332.jpg

1956 diagram showing drawings of the current crossbucks made out of aluminum and the Hazard Triangle. They used either wooden posts, pipe post, or unserviceable rail pieces.
http://www.victorianrailways.net/infast ... /f526c.jpg

An alternative version that uses a Stop sign. I remember seeing a picture of an old passive crossing that used the same Stop sign seen here.
http://www.victorianrailways.net/infast ... /f527c.jpg

Another variant with a "GIVE WAY TO TRAINS" sign.
http://www.victorianrailways.net/infast ... s/f587.jpg

The large "RAILWAY" "CROSSING" signs seen on the side of most crossings.
http://www.victorianrailways.net/infast ... /f609b.jpg

Some other diagrams on crossing arrangements and construction.
http://www.victorianrailways.net/infast ... s/f525.jpg
http://www.victorianrailways.net/infast ... s/f558.jpg
http://www.victorianrailways.net/infast ... /f577b.jpg
http://www.victorianrailways.net/infast ... s/f602.jpg
http://www.victorianrailways.net/infast ... s/f616.jpg
http://www.victorianrailways.net/infast ... s/f617.jpg

Some nice diagrams there. NSW also used old lengths of rail for sign posts on passive crossings, I believe the practice has now been stopped because of the potential damage which could be caused to a vehicle (and it's occupants) that hits one. They use thin tubular posts now.

[TrickyMario7654]

According to this news article, the Boralma-Rutherglen Road, Boralma level crossing was upgraded with gates last week. Sadly, it's goodbye to another mechanical bell.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.265 ... 312!8i6656

Seems like every second week we are hearing about another crossing on the North East line being upgraded. I think the original press release said the upgrades would be completed by the end of 2018 but they will probably be finished well before then at the current rate

Also, it appears that Gravel Pit Road, Wangaratta was only upgraded with gates on Monday and even then, it may have been delayed yet again!
https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... ?114135919

Also found this from a week earlier on an upgrade of the same crossing, with appears to have been cancelled.
https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... 1313977035

[McK&H.Aust]

According to this news article, the Boralma-Rutherglen Road, Boralma level crossing was upgraded with gates last week. Sadly, it's goodbye to another mechanical bell.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.265 ... 312!8i6656

Seems like every second week we are hearing about another crossing on the North East line being upgraded. I think the original press release said the upgrades would be completed by the end of 2018 but they will probably be finished well before then at the current rate

Also, it appears that Gravel Pit Road, Wangaratta was only upgraded with gates on Monday and even then, it may have been delayed yet again!
https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... ?114135919

Also found this from a week earlier on an upgrade of the same crossing, with appears to have been cancelled.
https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... 1313977035

The situation with Gravel Pit Rd seems odd, specially when you consider that they had all of the foundations and cable ducts installed back in March. I thought that would be the hardest part of the installation, wonder what happened?

[TrickyMario7654]

According to this news article, the Boralma-Rutherglen Road, Boralma level crossing was upgraded with gates last week. Sadly, it's goodbye to another mechanical bell.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.265 ... 312!8i6656

Seems like every second week we are hearing about another crossing on the North East line being upgraded. I think the original press release said the upgrades would be completed by the end of 2018 but they will probably be finished well before then at the current rate

Also, it appears that Gravel Pit Road, Wangaratta was only upgraded with gates on Monday and even then, it may have been delayed yet again!
https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... ?114135919

Also found this from a week earlier on an upgrade of the same crossing, with appears to have been cancelled.
https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... 1313977035

The situation with Gravel Pit Rd seems odd, specially when you consider that they had all of the foundations and cable ducts installed back in March. I thought that would be the hardest part of the installation, wonder what happened?

Maybe they've installed the new gated signals, but they're having problems getting the actual gates to work.

If that's the case, then it would likely be a similar scenario to this crossing in Berrybank, VIC. The new signals have been installed, but the gates aren't operational yet, so the signals act as Flashing Lights signals temporarily.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.982 ... 312!8i6656

Here's the same crossing before the upgrade.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.983 ... 328!8i1664

[Username1]

Lol so I was at Seaford station this morning, and I noticed that the other e bell (adjusted type 1) had died. I noticed a while back that it would act up when it rained it would die while the crossing was active or it would start sounding really scratchy. Btw it's been raining since Monday here...

The type 3 on its own is also really quite, the Yodalarms in the pedestrian gates are almost louder than it!

Although, It could come back to life though as it has other times, but it was still dead when I went past it 40 minutes ago...
Jesus, I knew General signals e bells were low quality, but this is just extreme... I hope they begin using WCH, but Metro's so cheap, they'd keep using GS...

[TrickyMario7654]

Lol so I was at Seaford station this morning, and I noticed that the other e bell (adjusted type 1) had died. I noticed a while back that it would act up when it rained it would die while the crossing was active or it would start sounding really scratchy. Btw it's been raining since Monday here...

The type 3 on its own is also really quite, the Yodalarms in the pedestrian gates are almost louder than it!

Although, It could come back to life though as it has other times, but it was still dead when I went past it 40 minutes ago...
Jesus, I knew General signals e bells were low quality, but this is just extreme... I hope they begin using WCH, but Metro's so cheap, they'd keep using GS...

As I've mentioned before, the adjusted Type 1's are irritating and probably the worst e-bell out there. God knows why Metro think they're better than mechanical bells.

Looks like they'll be cheaping out for years to come as our "friends" at the Andrews Labour Government have renewed Metro's contact to run the system for another seven years, but with tougher monthly targets. I'll guess this will also mean that the bell nazis are to be on our nerves for seven extra years.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-12/m ... rk/8895462