Australian Railroad Crossing Signals

[TrickyMario7654]

I've finally been able to get some updated pictures of Main Street, Pakenham today.

Here's the 'new' e-bells I've talked about before. Sadly, I haven't been able to confirm the type of the other e-bell at this crossing as I don't think trains are running today due to works.

Those E-Bells certainly aren't new as they appear to be quite dirty. I guess they must have been recycled from a removed crossing.

I also appreciate your pictures from Puffing Billy. The hybrid bells used on the upgraded crossings must have been new old stock, as they haven't been produced since at least 2009. I really hope they use more M-Bells on future upgrades. However, even Puffing Billy is not immune to E-Bells. One of the crossings at Menzies Creek received a GS Type-2 long after the gated crossings with the hybrids were installed. You can hear it in this video:

Did you notice the Teardrop bell in the video?

I agree with your theory that they would of have been reused from a removed crossing, as if they were Type 3's, they would look brand new. Only question is which one did they come from? Also, trains where indeed running today as I saw one going through the crossing a few hours ago.

[Username1]

I've finally been able to get some updated pictures of Main Street, Pakenham today.


Here's the 'new' e-bells I've talked about before. Sadly, I haven't been able to confirm the type of the other e-bell at this crossing as I don't think trains are running today due to works.



The rest of the crossing is otherwise unchanged.




Here's that strange misprinted crossbuck I mentioned a while back, turns out they just reused the old crossbuck and stuck new decals over it!


Hopefully they don't butcher this crossing further (i.e Maidstone Street, Altona and Parkers Road, Parkdale).

The E bell that's on the side of the misprinted crossbuck could possibly be a type 2 or 3. There is a slight colour difference in the two bells and that one matches the tone of a type 2 and 3. Also, the ring around the bottom is a tiny bit thinner and doesn't have smooth edges like type 1s have, so there is a possibility that it's not an adjusted type 1.

The adjusted type 1 E bell could have possibly come from the now removed crossing on Heatherdale Road Heatherdale, because it used to have adjusted type 1 E bells.

Also i passed through the Melba Highway crossing in Yarra Glenn recently and the snapped/bent boom gate shown in this google maps photo is still there:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.660 ... 312!8i6656
I have no idea why it hasn't been replaced yet, although the crossing doesn't see any trains to my knowledge. The broken gate now has rope tied around it.

I Also passed through Benalla but sadly i didn't get to see the Nunn Street crossing with the teardrop bell, so i'm unsure if V/line has ruined it yet. Same story for Faithful Street with the acting up Hybrid bell.

[McK&H.Aust]

I also appreciate your pictures from Puffing Billy. The hybrid bells used on the upgraded crossings must have been new old stock, as they haven't been produced since at least 2009. I really hope they use more M-Bells on future upgrades. However, even Puffing Billy is not immune to E-Bells. One of the crossings at Menzies Creek received a GS Type-2 long after the gated crossings with the hybrids were installed. You can hear it in this video:

An e-bell at Puffing Billy, is nothing sacred?

Hopefully the situation is only temporary until they can get some more hybrid bells from the LXRA, or recycled treardrops from other upgraded crossings on the PBR. I thought they had a stockpile of teardrop bells? IIRC Stuart posted a picture previously. Worst case scenario they should get some new WCH m-bells and paint them black, would be much better than having e-bells, it's just not right!

[Username1]

Here’s a video of the Teardrop bell running at Menzies Creek. It shuts off after the gates have closed. https://youtu.be/u6i1Guy8CdQ

[McK&H.Aust]

Finally got around to checking out this level crossing on the Dunmore Quarry Siding and found some interesting things https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.608 ... 328!8i1664

It is a one-way crossing on the northbound exit ramp from the Princes Highway. There are only two signals, each with a single pair of Henkes & Harmon 8 inch lights (made in Australia) with what appear to be WCH 1st Generation LED's, as they are arranged in a hexagonal formation. The signal on the right has since been moved closer to the road onto a new traffic island, as vehicles using the crossing can now only turn left at the intersection https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.608 ... 312!8i6656

The junction box and the lights originally had Henkes & Harmon branding, although the "Harmon" wording seems to have been removed after manufacture. The signals would have been installed around late 2005 when the overpass was opened, so I'm wondering if the Harmon name was defunct by then, or they had parted ways with Henkes. There is a single WCH m-bell at the crossing with a very rusty gong which sounds a bit tired. Both signals still have their American looking crossbucks and SORS signs.

Prior to the construction of the overpass, the Princes Hwy originally had a level crossing with two McK&H teardrop bells and McK&H lights, it's remains can bee seen here prior to removal to make way for the southbound section of the ovepass https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.608 ... 328!8i1664

A cycle path has since been constructed near the site, it is protected by normal crossbucks and Give Way signs, and Aldridge "Don't Walk" lights with round red alarms on top of the masts, they look similar to Roshni sounders but have a different design. Both the cycle path and the road crossing are manually acivated/de-acivated by the same controls, as there is no track circuit control of the signals. The cycle path crossing can't be seen properly on GSV and this is the best view I could find https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.608 ... 312!8i6656

I have filmed a train at the road crossing but am holding off posting the video, as I am hoping to film the cycle path crossing in the coming weeks and include it in the same video. The crossing doesn't see many trains, mostly one per week or even fortnightly.

[TrickyMario7654]

Finally got around to checking out this level crossing on the Dunmore Quarry Siding and found some interesting things https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.608 ... 328!8i1664

It is a one-way crossing on the northbound exit ramp from the Princes Highway. There are only two signals, each with a single pair of Henkes & Harmon 8 inch lights (made in Australia) with what appear to be WCH 1st Generation LED's, as they are arranged in a hexagonal formation. The signal on the right has since been moved closer to the road onto a new traffic island, as vehicles using the crossing can now only turn left at the intersection https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.608 ... 312!8i6656

The junction box and the lights originally had Henkes & Harmon branding, although the "Harmon" wording seems to have been removed after manufacture. The signals would have been installed around late 2005 when the overpass was opened, so I'm wondering if the Harmon name was defunct by then, or they had parted ways with Henkes. There is a single WCH m-bell at the crossing with a very rusty gong which sounds a bit tired. Both signals still have their American looking crossbucks and SORS signs.

Prior to the construction of the overpass, the Princes Hwy originally had a level crossing with two McK&H teardrop bells and McK&H lights, it's remains can bee seen here prior to removal to make way for the southbound section of the ovepass https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.608 ... 328!8i1664

A cycle path has since been constructed near the site, it is protected by normal crossbucks and Give Way signs, and Aldridge "Don't Walk" lights with round red alarms on top of the masts, they look similar to Roshni sounders but have a different design. Both the cycle path and the road crossing are manually acivated/de-acivated by the same controls, as there is no track circuit control of the signals. The cycle path crossing can't be seen properly on GSV and this is the best view I could find https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.608 ... 312!8i6656

I have filmed a train at the road crossing but am holding off posting the video, as I am hoping to film the cycle path crossing in the coming weeks and include it in the same video. The crossing doesn't see many trains, mostly one per week or even fortnightly.

It's an interesting crossing/intersection. For starters, there's no southbound entrance ramp, which they could of utilized the old highway and crossing as one.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.608 ... 374895,17z

Secondly, there used to be crossing on the nearby Dunmore Road, but it was closed between 2007 and 2010. This means that the interchange's only purpose is to serve the nearby quarry.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.606 ... 328!8i1664
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.606 ... 312!8i6656

As I mentioned before, there used to be a crossing at Oak Flats. I wonder what equipment it had?
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.570 ... 328!8i1664

[McK&H.Aust]

Finally got around to checking out this level crossing on the Dunmore Quarry Siding and found some interesting things https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.608 ... 328!8i1664

It is a one-way crossing on the northbound exit ramp from the Princes Highway. There are only two signals, each with a single pair of Henkes & Harmon 8 inch lights (made in Australia) with what appear to be WCH 1st Generation LED's, as they are arranged in a hexagonal formation. The signal on the right has since been moved closer to the road onto a new traffic island, as vehicles using the crossing can now only turn left at the intersection https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.608 ... 312!8i6656

The junction box and the lights originally had Henkes & Harmon branding, although the "Harmon" wording seems to have been removed after manufacture. The signals would have been installed around late 2005 when the overpass was opened, so I'm wondering if the Harmon name was defunct by then, or they had parted ways with Henkes. There is a single WCH m-bell at the crossing with a very rusty gong which sounds a bit tired. Both signals still have their American looking crossbucks and SORS signs.

Prior to the construction of the overpass, the Princes Hwy originally had a level crossing with two McK&H teardrop bells and McK&H lights, it's remains can bee seen here prior to removal to make way for the southbound section of the ovepass https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.608 ... 328!8i1664

A cycle path has since been constructed near the site, it is protected by normal crossbucks and Give Way signs, and Aldridge "Don't Walk" lights with round red alarms on top of the masts, they look similar to Roshni sounders but have a different design. Both the cycle path and the road crossing are manually acivated/de-acivated by the same controls, as there is no track circuit control of the signals. The cycle path crossing can't be seen properly on GSV and this is the best view I could find https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.608 ... 312!8i6656

I have filmed a train at the road crossing but am holding off posting the video, as I am hoping to film the cycle path crossing in the coming weeks and include it in the same video. The crossing doesn't see many trains, mostly one per week or even fortnightly.

It's an interesting crossing/intersection. For starters, there's no southbound entrance ramp, which they could of utilized the old highway and crossing as one.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.608 ... 374895,17z

Secondly, there used to be crossing on the nearby Dunmore Road, but it was closed between 2007 and 2010. This means that the interchange's only purpose is to serve the nearby quarry.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.606 ... 328!8i1664
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.606 ... 312!8i6656

As I mentioned before, there used to be a crossing at Oak Flats. I wonder what equipment it had?
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.570 ... 328!8i1664

The new overpass is only for the quarry, it's amazing that they actually provided the northbound exit ramp and crossing, as very few vehicles use it and nearly all of the traffic for the quarry (mostly trucks) comes from the north. I guess they had to provide it for temporary access during construction of the overpass, so it was left in place. A southbound entrance ramp isn't really needed, as any southbound traffic can go north and turn around at the Shellharbour Rd interchange. Prior to it's closure, the Dunmore Rd crossing was actually called Shellharbour Rd, it was renamed when the new interchange and overpass replaced it https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.589 ... 844064,16z

The crossing at Oak Flats had a gateless setup similar to New St, Gunnedah, two signals on either side with no rear facing lights. It had a single WCH m-bell on the western side. I have pictures and remember driving over the crossing many times. Pretty sure the lights were a mixture of McK&H and Westinghouse.

[freebrickproductions]

The junction box and the lights originally had Henkes & Harmon branding, although the "Harmon" wording seems to have been removed after manufacture. The signals would have been installed around late 2005 when the overpass was opened, so I'm wondering if the Harmon name was defunct by then, or they had parted ways with Henkes. There is a single WCH m-bell at the crossing with a very rusty gong which sounds a bit tired. Both signals still have their American looking crossbucks and SORS signs.

I'm betting that the partnership between had only ended, as GE kept making Harmon equipment into the late 2000s/early 2010s. Sometime between then and now, Harmon was sold off to Lindsay Rail, which still produces their lights and cantilevers (though only the lights retain the Harmon branding, I believe) but GE kept the LEDs.

[TrickyMario7654]

The crossing at Oak Flats had a gateless setup similar to New St, Gunnedah, two signals on either side with no rear facing lights. It had a single WCH m-bell on the western side. I have pictures and remember driving over the crossing many times. Pretty sure the lights were a mixture of McK&H and Westinghouse.

It also would of looked similar to Uralla, but with a WCH m-bell instead of a Teardrop. Still peeved off that Nazi Holland replaced the signals for no reason other than them being "life expired".
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-30.621 ... 312!8i6656

Speaking of which, I found this on their site mentioning some upgrades done to these crossings in Nyngan...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.562 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.558 ... 312!8i6656

It mentions that they've upgraded the detection system to axle counters, and it's possible that Moonagee Street might have received new signals (with an e-bell).

Also found this display of the old hand operated gates that used to be at the Mitchell Street crossing.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.562 ... 312!8i6656

[McK&H.Aust]

The junction box and the lights originally had Henkes & Harmon branding, although the "Harmon" wording seems to have been removed after manufacture. The signals would have been installed around late 2005 when the overpass was opened, so I'm wondering if the Harmon name was defunct by then, or they had parted ways with Henkes. There is a single WCH m-bell at the crossing with a very rusty gong which sounds a bit tired. Both signals still have their American looking crossbucks and SORS signs.

I'm betting that the partnership between had only ended, as GE kept making Harmon equipment into the late 2000s/early 2010s. Sometime between then and now, Harmon was sold off to Lindsay Rail, which still produces their lights and cantilevers (though only the lights retain the Harmon branding, I believe) but GE kept the LEDs.

That would explain things. I guess the partnership was ended and Henkes were allowed to sell their remaining stock of lights, provided the Harmon wording was removed. It's interesting that they were made in Australia, surely it would have been easier to import the Harmon lights directly from the U.S.