Damn, that really suckschris96 wrote: Sat Oct 05, 2019 8:17 amThanks for the updates Level Crossing Fan! As Freebricks mentioned though, you might want to check your links as none of your images work.Level Crossing Fan wrote: Tue Oct 01, 2019 4:28 am Today we went for a drive to Melbourne so I could film some stuff for my YouTube channel and here is what I got filmed:
- I filmed the railway infrastructure at the Sunshine and Roofing and did a video making the teardrop bell and hybrid bell sound by using a metal post to reach both bells.
- I then filmed the Aviation Road level crossing at Laverton and the road bridge is now open to both lanes of traffic the crossing infrastructure is still in place and activates when a train comes through, the crossing is closed for traffic, but not closed for pedestrians. I asked one of the workers when they're to remove the level crossing infrastructure and they said in about 4 weeks, but there was no day for it, I'm still hoping to get the hybrid bell which sounds till the gates lower off the crossing when they remove all the crossing infrastructure.
- I then filmed the Hudsons Road level crossing at Spotswood and the hybrids and Westinghouse gate mechs still survive.There were some rail workers at the axle counter relay box next to the crossing (two of them Metro workers) I told them about General Signals Adjusted Type 1's and how they fail very quickly and also how the screws allow water to leak in. I don't what they said though. I also told them about the hybrid bell replacing and they said that some people complain to them being to loud for them to listen too and then they replace them, this would be one of the reasons why Metro have been replacing mechanical bells. He also told me that Hudsons Road's hybrids were fine and not too loud and didn't need replacing which is good.
- I then checked out the disused Webb Dock Line and the Wharf Road crossing is still the same since I last visited it in January this year. Unfortunately the crossing going into the power station has had the bell on the side of the test switch cabinet removed and the door to the test switch's left is also now locked up.
The signal with the crossbuck is also on a leaning pretty badly as well. Also on the signal which used to have it's bell they have attached a new pole with a security camera on top to the top of the signal.
Lorimer Street is still the same since I checked it out in January this year, I was also going to do another video of me making the hybrid bell sound, but there vehicle parked next to the relay box and if I was to throw stones at the bell it would easily hit the vehicle so I couldn't throw stones at the bell to get it to sound.
- I then filmed the Ramsden Street level crossing at Clifton Hill and the Barker Technics ebells and Westinghouse gate mechs still survive.
- I then filmed the Oakover Road level crossing at Preston and the hybrids and Westinghouse gate mechs still survive.
- Unfortunately the hybrids at Murray Road, Preston have sadly been replaced.
The side which had the dead hybrid now has a General Signals Type 3 ebell and the other side has a General Signals BLOODY ANNOYING AJUSTED TYPE 1!!!
The Adjusted Type 1 ebell is a dark shade of grey like what Poplar Road, Parkville has
My final crossing I filmed was at Keon Parade, Reservoir and the hybrids and Westinghouse gate mechs still survive.
It's always very interesting to hear what the railway operators have to say about upgrading crossings with E-Bells. It makes sense that E-Bells with volume controls are handy in residential areas, however it still doesn't explain why some crossings away from built-up areas have their M-Bells replaced or why Barker Technics bells are suddenly disappearing. I have a relative who lives near the Maidstone St crossing in Altona and the new E-Bells and pedestrian gate alarms are actually much louder and can be heard far more clearly in her house than the previous Hybrids.
On the subject of E-Bells, unfortunately the Hybrids and Westinghouse gate mechs at Arden St in North Melbourne have been replacedI noticed them as I went past on the train today. I'll try and get down to the crossing to have a better look and get some pics sometime this week if I get the chance.
they’ve really got rid of a lot of good stuff on the upfield line this year. Reminds me of when the last m bells on an Adelaide metro line got replaced last year.I’ve also got some sad news to report, the southern Mechanical Bell on the Marion road tram crossing is dead
you’ll see it in one of applehead’s Videos coming out soon. I’ll try to check up on it now and again but their days are numbered.
First we were all upset and angry, but now we're happy again. Shame you didn't film the crossing though for YouTube. I hope to film it one day though. I'll have to start using Flickr to upload images so they work for you guys as well.
