Australian Railroad Crossing Signals

[McK&H.Aust]

Found some more industrial crossings around Newcastle.

Hold on, didn't they closed the line to Newcastle in 2014?

Only a small part of the line (about 3km I think) in the middle of the city, it was on a dead end and was between Wickham and Newcastle passenger stations. The rest of the rail network is still operational.

Oh, I see.

These are the crossings that were on the closed section of track in Newcastle. All of them have had the signals removed and the tracks paved over, the rest of the tracks have been torn up completely but the stations are still there (so far). All crossings had WCH e-bells and gate mechanisms.

Railway St, Wickham. This is near the current end of the line and is only used to store passenger trains,
Before https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-32.922 ... 312!8i6656
After https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-32.922 ... 312!8i6656

The new terminal station and interchange is currently being built here, just short of the Stuart Ave crossing https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-32.924 ... 312!8i6656

Stuart Ave, Wickham
Before https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-32.924 ... 312!8i6656
After https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-32.924 ... 312!8i6656

Merewether St, Civic
Before https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-32.926 ... 312!8i6656
After https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-32.926 ... 312!8i6656

[TrickyMario7654]

Only a small part of the line (about 3km I think) in the middle of the city, it was on a dead end and was between Wickham and Newcastle passenger stations. The rest of the rail network is still operational.

These are the crossings that were on the closed section of track in Newcastle. All of them have had the signals removed and the tracks paved over, the rest of the tracks have been torn up completely but the stations are still there (so far). All crossings had WCH e-bells and gate mechanisms.

I think it was a stupid idea to close the line beyond Wickham. Probably the dumbest idea in the history of NSW railways (tied with not using the same track gauge as Victoria).

Anyways, some more odd crossings I've found in the 'Great Southern Land'...

Does anyone know what this black thing is between the lights?
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.558 ... 312!8i6656

The crossbuck on this red target background looks slightly different.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.957 ... 312!8i6656

Vintage passive crossing, featuring a hazard triangle!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.836 ... 312!8i6656

[McK&H.Aust]

Only a small part of the line (about 3km I think) in the middle of the city, it was on a dead end and was between Wickham and Newcastle passenger stations. The rest of the rail network is still operational.

These are the crossings that were on the closed section of track in Newcastle. All of them have had the signals removed and the tracks paved over, the rest of the tracks have been torn up completely but the stations are still there (so far). All crossings had WCH e-bells and gate mechanisms.

I think it was a stupid idea to close the line beyond Wickham. Probably the dumbest idea in the history of NSW railways (tied with not using the same track gauge as Victoria).

Anyways, some more odd crossings I've found in the 'Great Southern Land'...

Does anyone know what this black thing is between the lights?
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.558 ... 312!8i6656

The crossbuck on this red target background looks slightly different.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.957 ... 312!8i6656

The black thing between the lights is just an extra large background added to some crossings where the angle of the sun can make it difficult to see the lights.

The crossbucks with the red backgrounds are popping up everywhere now, I think there are a few sign manufacturers so some look different to others.

[TrickyMario7654]

Oops, this crossing features a light that has no visor above it!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.829 ... 312!8i6656

[McK&H.Aust]

Oops, this crossing features a light that has no visor above it!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.829 ... 312!8i6656

Sadly that section of track was closed in 2007.

[freebrickproductions]

Does anyone know what this black thing is between the lights?
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.558 ... 312!8i6656

Noticed what looks to be a Yodalarm Y05 alarm on that signal as well:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.558 ... 312!8i6656
Meanwhile, the other signal has a WCH mechanical bell:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.558 ... 312!8i6656

[McK&H.Aust]

Does anyone know what this black thing is between the lights?
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.558 ... 312!8i6656

Noticed what looks to be a Yodalarm Y05 alarm on that signal as well:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.558 ... 312!8i6656
Meanwhile, the other signal has a WCH mechanical bell:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.558 ... 312!8i6656

Nice find, that crossing is one of the few installed in the 1990's to have a bell and yodalarms. The bell is shut off at night and the yodalarms are switched on instead, it's meant to be quieter for the local residents. Not sure about this crossing but some were also set up so the bell/yodalarm is shut off once the train reaches the island.

[chris96]

There was also another type of Wigwag signal used in Australia that was apparently a New Zealand invention. Also known as the "Pearson's Automatic Level Crossing Signal", it contained two rotating arms that spun around when power was supplied. Here's an example of one still in use at the Rosewood Railway Museum:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-27.611 ... 56!6m1!1e1
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-27.611 ... 56!6m1!1e1

Here's some videos of it in action:

[ToledoRailfan]

There was also another type of Wigwag signal used in Australia that was apparently a New Zealand invention. Also known as the "Pearson's Automatic Level Crossing Signal", it contained two rotating arms that spun around when power was supplied. Here's an example of one still in use at the Rosewood Railway Museum:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-27.611 ... 56!6m1!1e1
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-27.611 ... 56!6m1!1e1

Here's some videos of it in action:

Looks kind of similar to French ones. I think Austria used them as well. I never knew they were used in Australia though!

[TrickyMario7654]

This section of track seems to be out of use, but has a crossing with a teardrop bell, notice the crossbuck is missing.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.289 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.289 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.289 ... 312!8i6656

Looks like Google Streetview caught it active when the line was still in service.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.289 ... 312!8i6656

Speaking of active crossings, GSV caught this one active at Eel Race Road near Carrum! It also has Westinghouse Hybrids...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.082 ... 312!8i6656

If you follow the Nepean Highway (as well as Station Street opposite of the rail line) upwards, you'll see that it's captured a lot of the crossings active over the years (you might even see a train or two )...

The crossings near the Nepean Highway are

• McDonald Street, Mordialloc
• Bear Street, Mordialloc
• Station Street, Aspendale
• Groves Street, Aspendale
• Lochiel Avenue, Edithvale
• Edithvale Road, Edithvale
• Swanpool Avenue, Chelsea
• Chelsea Road, Chelsea
• Argyle Avenue, Chelsea
• Bondi Road, Bonbeach
• Mascot Avenue, Bonbeach
• Station Street, Carrum
• Eel Race Road, Carrum