Mike's Railroad Crossing Forum

Posted: **Fri Apr 13, 2018 11:46 pm**

TrickyMario7654 wrote:
McK&H.Aust wrote:
TrickyMario7654 wrote: Also, one of the signals from Grange Road is my current profile icon...
Nice choice of profile picture

Moving further out from Melbourne, check out the weird setup for the rear-facing lights on this crossing at Dooen. Rather than using the normal Westinghouse crossarm arrangements, for some reason they have added an extra bracket. Can't really see the advantage, wonder why they did it?
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.655 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.655 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.656 ... 312!8i6656

Back in 2010 the crossing had hybrid bells https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.655 ... 312!8i6656
Maybe it was done for sighting purposes?

Staying on the same line, I discovered this crossing in Dimboola still has wishbone gates today! Must be one of the last in rural Victoria to retain them...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.455 ... 312!8i6656

I recall seeing a more recent picture of the crossing on Flickr, showing that the hybrid bells have been replaced by Safetran Type 3's and the lights upgraded to LED, but the wishbone gates somehow survived the upgrades.

Good to know some more wishbone gates still exist in rural Victoria. The only other ones I know of are on the Geelong line:

Yarra St, Geelong:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.158 ... 312!8i6656

Cherry Swamp Rd, Little River (Wishbone gates survived despite the crossing being upgraded with e-bells in 2015):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.973 ... 328!8i1664

In my opinion, the Geelong line currently has the most interesting mix of equipment of any V/line owned track. A handful of crossings have old Westinghouse gate mechs:

McIntyre Rd in Lara still has a McKenzie & Holland signal base and old PTC signage:

And finally, the Westinghouse Hybrid Bell at Peak School Rd in Little River (that replaced a dead Safetran Type 3 last year) is still in place!

Posted: **Sat Apr 14, 2018 1:41 am**

chris96 wrote:
TrickyMario7654 wrote:
McK&H.Aust wrote:
TrickyMario7654 wrote: Also, one of the signals from Grange Road is my current profile icon...
Nice choice of profile picture

Moving further out from Melbourne, check out the weird setup for the rear-facing lights on this crossing at Dooen. Rather than using the normal Westinghouse crossarm arrangements, for some reason they have added an extra bracket. Can't really see the advantage, wonder why they did it?
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.655 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.655 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.656 ... 312!8i6656

Back in 2010 the crossing had hybrid bells https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.655 ... 312!8i6656
Maybe it was done for sighting purposes?

Staying on the same line, I discovered this crossing in Dimboola still has wishbone gates today! Must be one of the last in rural Victoria to retain them...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.455 ... 312!8i6656

I recall seeing a more recent picture of the crossing on Flickr, showing that the hybrid bells have been replaced by Safetran Type 3's and the lights upgraded to LED, but the wishbone gates somehow survived the upgrades.

Good to know some more wishbone gates still exist in rural Victoria. The only other ones I know of are on the Geelong line:

Yarra St, Geelong:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.158 ... 312!8i6656

Cherry Swamp Rd, Little River (Wishbone gates survived despite the crossing being upgraded with e-bells in 2015):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.973 ... 328!8i1664

In my opinion, the Geelong line currently has the most interesting mix of equipment of any V/line owned track. A handful of crossings have old Westinghouse gate mechs:

McIntyre Rd in Lara still has a McKenzie & Holland signal base and old PTC signage:

And finally, the Westinghouse Hybrid Bell at Peak School Rd in Little River (that replaced a dead Safetran Type 3 last year) is still in place!

What is PTC?
Positive Train Control?

Posted: **Sat Apr 14, 2018 1:46 am**

NathanFromEngland wrote:What is PTC?
Positive Train Control?

No, Public Transport Corporation...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Tr ... orporation

Posted: **Mon Apr 16, 2018 1:04 am**

Been looking at some more updated GSV images from VIC and SA. Sadly still nothing from Swan Hill or the Portland line.

Pretty sure someone previously posted this crossing at Manangatang being upgraded back in 2009. It's now finished and I think it's actually quite a neat setup.
Before: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.054 ... 312!8i6656
After: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.054 ... 312!8i6656

A couple of crossings on the closed section of track between Murrayville and Pinnaroo still have hybrid bells.
Murrayville https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.260 ... 312!8i6656
Panitya https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.237 ... 312!8i6656

I think these may have been posted before, but check out the odd looking gates at Tailem Bend.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.258 ... 312!8i6656

There is some cool equipment around Mount Barker which is still hanging on, despite the section of track being out of service.
Classic gateless signals https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.053 ... 312!8i6656
The wig wag still survives! https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.059 ... 312!8i6656

I think this crossing is still in use as part of the SteamRanger Heritage Railway, and it has a pair of GRS Lex-C lights.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.077 ... 312!8i6656

Posted: **Wed Apr 25, 2018 2:14 am**

I went past Abbots Road in Dandenong South today and one of the crossing arms has been changed to a hinged gate for sky rail. The gate has also had the gate lights moved to the top of the gate, instead of the underside of the gate like it usually is at most crossings.

I have a picture of the gate, but my ICloud currently isn’t working so I’ll upload it to the forum at a later date.

Posted: **Fri Apr 27, 2018 5:25 am**

McK&H.Aust wrote: I noticed this rusty old semaphore signal near the crossing, wonder if it still functions or is just for display? Maybe it was used to stop the trains when racing was in progress? https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-41.587 ... 312!8i6656

Sorry for quoting an old post, but I think I may have an answer to this question. The answer is no according to this article...
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/arch ... t-longford

Next comes the famous jump over the railway line, an obstacle that forever caused headaches for the organisers. It's not a myth — practice sessions and even races really were stopped to allow the trains through, legacy of an ongoing battle between the racing folk and the unsympathetic train company.

They did actually stop the race whenever a train had to come through. It’s a shame there isn’t any pictures of the crossing from around the time the circuit was used, and maybe that’s why it only lasted 15 years before closure...

Posted: **Fri Apr 27, 2018 7:05 am**

TrickyMario7654 wrote:
McK&H.Aust wrote: I noticed this rusty old semaphore signal near the crossing, wonder if it still functions or is just for display? Maybe it was used to stop the trains when racing was in progress? https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-41.587 ... 312!8i6656
Sorry for quoting an old post, but I think I may have an answer to this question. The answer is no according to this article...
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/arch ... t-longford

Next comes the famous jump over the railway line, an obstacle that forever caused headaches for the organisers. It's not a myth — practice sessions and even races really were stopped to allow the trains through, legacy of an ongoing battle between the racing folk and the unsympathetic train company.
They did actually stop the race whenever a train had to come through. It’s a shame there isn’t any pictures of the crossing from around the time the circuit was used, and maybe that’s why it only lasted 15 years before closure...

That's quite an interesting article, sounds like it was a cool race track and would have been great to see it in action. Times have certainly changed, and now the trains would be stopped when the races were on. Even more likely the tracks would just be torn up in the interests of "safety".

Posted: **Fri Apr 27, 2018 10:23 pm**

Found some more updated GSV images and it seems that the bell nazis have been through Echuca and Moama

Posted: **Sat Apr 28, 2018 1:02 am**

McK&H.Aust wrote:Found some more updated GSV images and it seems that the bell nazis have been through Echuca and Moama

Sturt St, Echuca
Before https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.125 ... 312!8i6656
After https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.125 ... 312!8i6656

Shaw St, Moama
Before https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.114 ... 312!8i6656
After https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.114 ... 312!8i6656

Moama Bowling Club
Before https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.114 ... 312!8i6656
After https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.114 ... 312!8i6656

Francis St, Moama
Before https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.112 ... 312!8i6656
After https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.112 ... 312!8i6656

Although in slightly more positive news, it seems that a hybrid bell may have survived near Mildura. It was still there in February 2017....
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.235 ... 312!8i6656

Not too surprised that all those crossings have e-bells now, but I am surprised that this crossing located on Ogilvie Ave (Murray Valley Highway) is still gateless.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.140 ... 312!8i6656

Back in 2008, it had a Teardrop bell (which had already been replaced with an e-bell by 2010).
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.140 ... 328!8i1664

This crossing in nearby Rochester was upgraded in June 2010, but looks like street view drove it again and we finally get to see the finished product...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.360 ... 312!8i6656

Also, isn't this a little over the top for a crossing located in a 50km/h zone?
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.359 ... 312!8i6656

Here's the said crossing before the upgrade.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.360 ... 312!8i6656

This other crossing nearby (with a Teardrop bell) was upgraded at the same time...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.358 ... 312!8i6656

Further down, this gateless crossing in Elmore has been upgraded with gates.
2010: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.493 ... 312!8i6656
2017: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.493 ... 312!8i6656

There are a little excessive, but I guess it stops people from killing themselves...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.457 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.414 ... 312!8i6656

I'm pretty sure that hybrid you posted is the only m-bell left in the Mildura area (if it hasn't been replaced by now), as all other crossings seem to have e-bells (or the images are too old to trust)...

Just to add insult to injury, these crossings along the line still had m-bells in 2015, but they were replaced by 2017!

Posted: **Sat Apr 28, 2018 1:46 am**

TrickyMario7654 wrote: Not too surprised that all those crossings have e-bells now, but I am surprised that this crossing located on Ogilvie Ave (Murray Valley Highway) is still gateless.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.140 ... 312!8i6656

Back in 2008, it had a Teardrop bell (which had already been replaced with an e-bell by 2010).
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.140 ... 328!8i1664

Yes it's a wonder the crossing hasn't been upgraded with gates. I guess Echuca isn't in a marginal electorate, if it was then they would have to install gates, as those poor residents of Echuca would be dicing with death every time they used the crossing

Despite the e-bell I think it's still a nice crossing, although it would have been awesome to hear the teardrop in action

TrickyMario7654 wrote: This crossing in nearby Rochester was upgraded in June 2010, but looks like street view drove it again and we finally get to see the finished product...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.360 ... 312!8i6656

Also, isn't this a little over the top for a crossing located in a 50km/h zone?
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.359 ... 312!8i6656

Here's the said crossing before the upgrade.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.360 ... 312!8i6656

It seems the advance warning signal was installed when the crossing was gateless, I guess they decided to keep it after the upgrade.

TrickyMario7654 wrote: This other crossing nearby (with a Teardrop bell) was upgraded at the same time...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.358 ... 312!8i6656

Further down, this gateless crossing in Elmore has been upgraded with gates.
2010: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.493 ... 312!8i6656
2017: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.493 ... 312!8i6656

There are a little excessive, but I guess it stops people from killing themselves...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.457 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.414 ... 312!8i6656

I'm pretty sure that hybrid you posted is the only m-bell left in the Mildura area (if it hasn't been replaced by now), as all other crossings seem to have e-bells (or the images are too old to trust)...

Just to add insult to injury, these crossings along the line still had m-bells in 2015, but they were replaced by 2017!

Eighth Street, Mildura (Hybrid x2):
2015: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.189 ... 312!8i6656
2017: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.189 ... 312!8i6656

Belar Avenue Extension, Irymple (Hybrid):
2015: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.260 ... 312!8i6656
2017: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.260 ... 312!8i6656

Murray Avenue, Red Cliffs (Safetran):
2015: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.312 ... 312!8i6656
2017: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.312 ... 312!8i6656

Williams Street, Ouyen (Hybrid, plus of the signals appeared to have been replaced):
2015: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.064 ... 312!8i6656
2017: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.064 ... 312!8i6656

Sad to see that so much nice equipment has been removed, I hate to think what the situation is going to be like a just a few more years

Mike's Railroad Crossing Forum

Australian Railroad Crossing Signals

Re: Australian Railroad Crossing Signals

Re: Australian Railroad Crossing Signals

Re: Australian Railroad Crossing Signals

Re: Australian Railroad Crossing Signals

Re: Australian Railroad Crossing Signals

Re: Australian Railroad Crossing Signals

Re: Australian Railroad Crossing Signals

Re: Australian Railroad Crossing Signals

Re: Australian Railroad Crossing Signals

Re: Australian Railroad Crossing Signals